Kentucky has moved a step closer to legalized sports wagering. The Kentucky House committee cleared a recent bill that could legalize sports betting statewide.
Sports wagering is currently legal in 33 states across the country.
The bill has gained bipartisan support in clearing the House committee but will need to be approved by both the full House and Senate during the final days of the 2022 legislative session in order to take effect.
This is not the first time the state has attempted to legalize sports betting. However, previous attempts have never made it this far due to legalized gambling being the subject of much debate over the years.
The Family Foundation, a faith-based group opposed to gambling expansion, has raised concerns about the bill.
David Walls, the foundation's Executive Director, said: “This type of predatory gambling is designed to prey on human weakness, with the government colluding with the gambling industry to exploit our fellow Kentuckians.”
State Representative Adam Koenig said he is hopeful the bill will make it through this time.
“I think we're in position, hopefully, to have better luck going forward,” he said.
Once passed, the bill would implement a 1.5% tax on all parimutuel bets, including historical horseracing, simulcast bets and advance-deposit wagering.
The bill would also generate funds to help Kentucky resident who struggle with gambling addiction, with a focus on awareness, prevention and treatment options.
Koenig said the state owes its residents safe and legal gambling options and eliminate the use of gray machines, which look like slot machines and are featured in convenience stores.
“It is no secret that problems can arise when there is the access to any kind of gambling. I think it's important to bring those people out of the shadows, to dry up the black market and make sure that the people of this state have the benefits of their government protecting them," Koenig said.
“When you go to a bookie and if you have a good weekend and you go to collect and your bookie doesn't want to pay you, where do you go? What recourse do you have? The answer is none.”
