Kentucky's racing and breeding industries lobby for historical horse racing legislation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky horse racing and breeding industries are attempting to mobilize support for legislation that would enable the sport to continue to benefit from so-called historical horse racing machines, in a year in which the legislature only meets for 30 days.

Outreach organizations such as the Kentucky Equine Education Project and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Owners and Breeders are asking their members to contact legislators in their districts in support of legislation that would clear up the legality of the machines, which were put into legal limbo last year due to a state Supreme Court ruling. In addition, representatives of racetracks have been said to be working on a bill that would explicitly authorize their use, though no tangible product of the effort has emerged yet.

Last year, the Supreme Court said that a specific type of machine in use at some racetracks did not meet the state’s definition of “parimutuel.” The ruling required a lower court to reissue its opinion on the case, but that court has not yet released an updated ruling. As a result, casinos at Kentucky racetracks continue to operate the machines.

Leaders of the state’s legislative branches and Gov. Andy Beshear have issued statements in support of the continued operation of the machines, but a coalition of forces influential in rural areas of the state continue to oppose the devices, which resemble slot machines.

The legislature re-convened last week, but the supermajority of Republicans that rule both houses has focused their energies on issues important to its base, such as restraining Beshear’s ability to issue executive orders. The legislature is scheduled to adjourn March 30.

On Monday, Rep. Adam Koenig, a Republican representing Erlanger, in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, reintroduced a bill that would allow for sports betting at the state’s racetracks. An identical bill introduced last year was not taken up on the House floor.

Chauncy Morris, executive director of the KTA/KTOB, said Tuesday that he appreciated Koenig’s support on an issue that also is important to the racing industry. But he said that the industry’s No. 1 priority is the legality of historical horse racing, and he said that his organization has reached out to equine constituents in 65 of the state’s 120 counties to contact their representatives.

“We are singularly focused – singularly focused – on getting a legislative fix that will allow us to continue to operate historical horse racing machines,” Chauncey said.

Historical horse racing machines were approved in 2010 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, a regulatory body. Since the approval, every track in the state has opened a casino. The machines have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for their operators and have contributed significantly to programs providing purse subsidies and breeding awards for Kentucky-bred horses. Since the machines were installed in 2012 at Kentucky Downs, purse distribution in the state has doubled.

KEEP has begun distributing releases focusing on those subsidies and the economic impact of the state’s racing and breeding industries, in an attempt to give legislators talking points that counter the idea of “expanded gambling.”

“Without historical horse racing, our industry will suffer, as will the people who call Kentucky home,” a recent KEEP release said. “Our efforts to keep historical horse racing in Kentucky are just that. This is not about expanding gaming or allowing any new form of gaming in the state. It’s about maintaining the status quo.”