Kentucky would join six of its seven border states in officially OKing sports betting if House Bill 551 can clear one more major hurdle: the Kentucky Senate.
Monday, the House voted 63-34 to move forward with the legislation — this time dedicating 2.25% of the tax revenue generated to a problem gaming fund. Rep. Michael Meredith says he hopes that addition will sway the handful of holdouts he says are needed to finally get the bill over the finish line in the Senate.
"1, 2, 3 votes, somewhere in that range," the bill sponsor said. "The problem gaming money was something that was asked for by one or two of those votes over there, so hopefully that'll shore up those and we'll narrow it down."
Amendments that would have raised the age limit from 18 to 21 and prohibited the use of credit cards when betting on sports both failed to gain traction in the House. Opponents argued the potential for increased addiction outweighs the estimated revenue sports wagering could bring in, roughly $23 million annually.
While a Senate committee hearing is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday, Meredith said — if the full Senate does vote on the sports betting — it will likely be at the end of the month after the governor's veto window.
Gov. Andy Beshear has expressed support for legalized sports wagering and lawmakers are betting he'll sign his name on the dotted line should a bill hit his desk.
