Kentucky sports betting bill passes House
The Kentucky House passed a bill on Tuesday that would give state racetracks the ability to offer sports betting, but the legislation is still just short of the votes needed to pass the Senate under rules for sessions held in odd-numbered years.
After passing in the House, the bill was sent to the Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations. If it passes out of the committee, the legislation could be put up for a vote in the full Senate, but it’s not clear if the Republican leadership will allow a vote if it does not have the support to pass, according to officials.
In even-numbered years, bills that affect revenue need a 60 percent majority to pass. According to the officials, the legislation is still several votes shy of passage due to opposition from some Senate Republicans, who have super majorities in both houses of the legislature. Democrats support the measure, along with Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat.
However, the thin voting margin is giving supporters of the legislation hope that the bill will easily pass next year, when a simple majority is required. State racetracks have been lobbying for the right to offer sports betting for several years.
Under the bill, Kentucky racetracks could offer live sports betting at their facilities and partner with on-line companies on mobile applications. The bill gives the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission the power to regulate sports betting.
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