Beshear Adds Casino Gambling Legislation To Special Session

Governor Steve Beshear knows two things about gambling. He wants to stop online gambling sites from operating in the state of Kentucky, and he wants expanded gambling at state racetracks. The mixed messages on the gambling subject continued this week.

On Wednesday, Beshear called the special session to help deal with the budget deficit in Kentucky. he did not include casino gambling legislation as part of that session. On Thursday, he changed his mind and announced that casino legislation would be part of the special session.

There are opponents who are calling out Beshear for having the legislature decide the gambling issue. In his term as Governor, Beshear has flip-flopped on some important issues, and opponents feel like the gambling issue is one of them.

"I don't see how you've talked for years about letting the people decide, and then you rip that opportunity from the voters," said Representative Adam Koenig, "That is going to be hard to justify."

Although the special session will include a gambling debate, it does not seem likely the talks will lead to casinos at the racetracks. The House has many members who are opposed to gambling expansion, and lawmakers in the House have already gone on record as saying that there is no support for any type of expanded gambling.

June 4, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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