Kentucky Lawmakers To Untangle Gambling Web This Week

Kentucky lawmakers are going into a special session tomorrow in the hopes of finalizing a budget for the state. Much of the focus around that budget debate will be tied to gambling expansion, and whether or not it should occur at state racetracks.

Governor Steve Beshear has made somewhat of a mockery out of gambling in the past year. First, he attempted to seize domain names to 141 online gambling sites. When he was unsuccessful in doing that, he moved along to pushing for expanded gambling at the tracks.

At first, Beshear said that the gambling issue would not be on the docket for the special session. The next day, he flip-flopped, and put the gambling issue back into play. Now, he is pushing for gambling expansion.

The racetracks are in dire need of some help. Purses have dropped in recent years, and without video slot gambling, the racing industry in Kentucky will continue to suffer. Lawmakers know this, which is why the issue has become so prevalent this session.

"This issue is controversial, but it's been around for a long time," said Beshear, "It's simply now time for a decision over whether this is the way to solve the problem."

Those are not the words Kentuckians had hoped to hear from Beshear. They had hoped that the leader of their state would have had a more in depth plan for expanding gambling. He appears to be leaving that part up to lawmakers.

The session begins tomorrow, and key questions need to be answered. One of those questions is whether or not Governor Beshear is prepared to stand up and lead.

June 14, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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