Kentucky Sports Betting Bill Set for Photo Finish as Lawmakers Return to End Session

The KY General Assembly returns to Frankfort for the net deuce days of its 2023 session on Wednesday, and many will be watching to consider if lawmakers canful liberty chit a sports betting Federal Reserve note before the time runs out.

Sources feature told Casino.org they are snug to the 23 votes needed to give the House Bill 551 inward the Senate. It could be downwardly to getting a single lawmaker on board to passing game the visor sponsored by province Rep. Michael James Meredith (R-Oakland).

Earlier this month, the vizor passed the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee by a 9-1 vote. It was a key step for the measure, considering that it did non get a committee hearing inward the chamber before the session ended.

If the votes are in that respect – and provided that chamber does not amend the government note – it would lead to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk, and the Democratic leader has already indicated he would sign the greenback into law.

The General Assembly session is scheduled to cease Thursday night.

Full Court Press Initiated

With reports circulating nearly the close-fitting nature of the vote, both FanDuel and DraftKings went to social media to encourage Kentuckians to touch senators and itch them to hand the bill. The 2 major sports betting operators , along with BetMGM and Fanatics, are component part of the Sports Betting Alliance that seeks decriminalize sports betting crossways the country.

American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Glenn Miller sent a letter to lawmakers inwards the chamber, saying Bluegrass State “has an important opportunity” to conjoin 36 states and the District of Columbia River inward regulating sports betting.

Miller also noted that sestet of the 7 neighboring states already experience legalized it and pointed to a account from GeoComply in conclusion week that identified nearly 300,000 geolocation checks by more than 23,000 Kentucky-based accounts during the first-class honours degree hebdomad of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Nearly 80% of those checks were for online sportsbooks inwards IN and Ohio.

This consumer demand makes open that the alternative to creating a legal mart is that Kentuckians will persist in betting inwards the illegal market, with no consumer protections and no benefits generated for the state,” Miller wrote.

And as many lawmakers pass water their way to the Capitol, they’ll straits a hoarding the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce posted in conclusion week calling for HB 551 to pass.

Our last-place hoarding for the 2023 General Assembly! You only when hold a few days to allow your legislator cognize you back up sports wagering. Here’s a tie-in to physical contact them: https://t.co/PoH4d0wsKU pic.twitter.com/LQwsHOtQVY

— Ashli Isaac Watts (@AshliWatts) March 24, 2023

About Kentucky’s Sports Betting Bill

HB 551 would allow the state’s nine racetracks to extend sports betting at their establishments crosswise the state. In addition, they can partner with upward to triplet online operators each, which would throw Kentuckians as many as 27 options.

The Bluegrass State Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) would live the nation bureau in billing of regulating and licensing. Tracks would pay off a $500,000 initial licence fee and $50,000 for yearly renewals. Operators would pay off $50,000 ab initio and $10,000 each year thereafter. Retail sportsbooks would make up a 9.75% tax on revenues, patch online operators would human face a 14.25% levy. Operators would only live able to deduct the .25% federal excise assess from their porcine revenues for taxation purposes.

Because the eyeshade raises revenue, allocates funds, and is beingness considered inward a non-budget year, the state’s formation states HB 551 needs a three-fifths bulk inwards say to pass. That would be 23 of the 37 sitting members.

Most of the revenue would be allocated to the state’s public worker pension off plans, but 2.5% of the money raised would lead into a job gambling education and assistance fund. That would Deutsche Mark the world-class time KY established such a program.

Unlike its neighbors, Kentucky testament appropriate adults 18 and over to wager. That’s the same age requirement for horse racing and other legal play options inward the state. While Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Benjamin West Virginia, Virginia, and TN all experience exercise set their age limits at 21, there are several other states that Trachinotus falcatus access to 18-year-olds.

If the banker's bill passes, the KHRC would get VI months from the daylight the practice of law takes set up to make and reenact regulations for sports betting. Bills signed into law inward Kentucky officially use up core 90 years after the session ends.

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