Commonwealth Policy Center

The legislature has engaged in verbal contortions in order to legalize gambling. Last year they redefined the term pari-mutual in order to legalize video slots called HHR. This year the Ky House passed a bill (HB 608) saying that anything authorized by the Ky Lottery, Ky Horseracing Commission, and Dept. of Charitable Gaming, is not gambling. Huh? What’s more troubling is that it says gambling shall not include an Amendment to the Kentucky Constitution or action of the General Assembly after January 1, 2022. I’ve talked to a state Senator who’s also an attorney, and he’s not exactly sure what that means or how it might be interpreted. And for this reason, this bill should be held with suspicion by Kentuckians who want to reserve their vote and voice on this important issue.