Lawmakers In Kentucky Face Test After Failing Gambling Issue

The state of Kentucky was in desperate need of lawmakers stepping up and producing laws that would help the ailing horse racing industry. They have failed in that attempt, and now many of these lawmakers will face re-election problems.

The state is highly protective of their horse racing industry. That was shown last year when Governor Steve Beshear attempted to seize the domain names of 141 online gambling sites.

The reason Beshear made that attempt was simple. He felt the online gambling sites were hurting the racing industry in Kentucky, He believed that Kentuckians were spending money online at these sites instead of betting on races.

His attempt failed, so he moved along to the next best thing. he encouraged lawmakers to create a law that would expand gambling at the state racetracks. Video slot machines would have been acceptable, but lawmakers balked in the Senate.

A special legislative session was called this past week to iron out the budget and the gambling issue. The budget was resolved, the gambling was shot down. Now, those lawmakers that denied the expanded gambling must deal with the fallout.

Governor Steve Beshear sent the first words of warning that change could be coming. He suggested Senate Republicans must change their minds on the issue, or else.

"We've either got to change some of the state senators' minds or we've got to change some of the state's senators," said Beshear. Those are harsh words, but Beshear too must take some of the blame.

He is the Governor of the state and could have taken a more hands on approach to the negotiations. Instead, he waited in the background, simply telling lawmakers to get the job done. Now his, and their positions are in apparent danger the next time they must run for office.

June 26, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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