KY Bill Would Allow Sports Betting at Tracks

Churchill Downs | Horsephotos

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As a pre-emptive strike in case some sort of federal action nullifies the ban on sports wagering that presently affects most of the nation, a Kentucky state senator filed a Sept. 20 bill that would establish a framework to allow sports betting at any horse track or off-track-wagering facility in the commonwealth.

The Wednesday filing by Sen. Julian Carroll (D-Frankfort) was first reported on the online news site KyForward. A copy of the proposed legislation, BR 155, which could be considered during the 2018 session, had not been posted on the official Kentucky Legislative Research Commission website as of deadline for this story.

Next month the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case from New Jersey challenging the constitutionality of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), which forms the backbone for the nationwide prohibition on sports betting in all but four grandfathered states (Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware). A ruling on the case could be expected a few months later, in the spring of 2018.

“It is important that the General Assembly acts now to create regulations in anticipation of a ruling by the Supreme Court,” Carroll told KyForward. “If the Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, sports wagering will be legal in Kentucky despite this bill. This bill regulates an industry that I believe is coming to Kentucky. We should take advantage of this opportunity while safeguarding our citizens.”

Carroll's bill would earmark the majority of revenue generated from sports wagering for pension programs for state employees and teachers. “The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship would also benefit, with the remaining going towards horse racing development funds,” KyForward reported.

 

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