By T. D. Thornton
A bill introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly Feb. 19 would divert 0.1% of all money wagered on live racing and historical horse race (HHR) betting to a to-be-created local government fund.
The communities that would benefit from the fund would be the cities and towns that have racetracks and HHR betting facilities.
According to HB 782, “local governments may use appropriations from this fund to address the social costs of problem gambling, including but not limited to: (a) Law enforcement retention; (b) Homelessness; (c) Affordable housing; and (d) The policing, regulation, and administration of the facilities live and HHR racing facilities are located.”
Kentucky currently directs all proceeds from bets on horse races back into the industry or into the state's general fund.
The sponsors of the bill are Reps. Al Gentry, George Brown Jr., Nima Kulkarni, Adam Moore and Rachel Roarx, all Democrats.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Committees.
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