Kentucky makes pitch for gambling expansion in 2025

Kentucky is looking to possibly expand the list of gambling options available to residents, with a new draft law filed with the legislature at the start of the new session.

On Tuesday, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Huff submitted House Bill 33, which wants to allow counties to vote locally on whether they want to host commercial casinos in their areas.

Kentucky makes an early pitch for the introduction of commercial casinos

Presently, the Bluegrass State does not accommodate commercial casinos and only allows horse racing tracks and historical horse racing venues, along with commercial sportsbooks.

Since September 28, 2023, Kentucky has also had online sports betting with DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars Sportsbooks available statewide.

The state’s General Assembly could put momentum forward for the legalization of commercial casinos in this legislative session and even make it all the way through the Senate and onto Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk.

Gov. Beshear has been a known proponent of the legalization of gambling, finding it a good opportunity to boost the state’s public purse but to also stem the tide of illegal gambling. Commercial casinos could be taxed 21% of their gross gaming revenue as per House Bill 33, with the proceeds directed to Kentucky’s General Fund.

Huff also wants casinos to pay an additional $3 for every person who enters the casino floor, but the text goes into much broader detail as to how commercial casinos could happen in the country.

For example, although counties would have the right to decide for themselves if they wanted to push forward with a commercial casino project, counties that do not meet a minimum requirement of 30,000 residents would not be allowed to be eligible hosts under the draft law.

A ballot referendum would be necessary to allow and give a green light to such projects or failing that – a poll or citizen-led petition. Although some counties may be put at a disadvantage, the draft law foresees an opportunity for even smaller places to become eligible hosts.

Kentucky has a track record of pushing for gambling expansion

For example, if a county does not meet the minimum headcount of 30,000 residents, but already has a licensed racing association, it would still be eligible to seek the right to host such a project.

The news comes after a full year of successful sports betting in Kentucky. The Bluegrass State has been treading lightly on the matter of gambling.

Prior to legalizing sports gambling, however, the state had success with introducing historical horse racing machines, showing that there is a clear willingness among residents to move forward with the times.

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