Kentucky considers Sports Betting bill

ucky has joined the long list of US states filing sports betting legislation in advance of the Supreme Court's Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) review.

The proposed legislation, known as BR 155 was filed by state Senator Julian Carroll on Wednesday and will be considered during the 2018 Kentucky legislature session.

Under the terms of the bill, authority would pass to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission who would be required to institute a full sports betting regulatory system, including a $250,000 licensing fee, a prohibition on participants betting on sporting events and the implementation of stiff penalties for tampering with the outcome of a sporting event.

BR 155 would also impose a 20% tax rate on any sports betting operators looking to operate in the state.

However, the bill includes a contingency that it would only “take effect only if the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is repealed by Congress or is rendered void by the United States Supreme Court.”

In an interview with Kentucky news outlet KY Forward, Senator Carroll said: “It is important that the General Assembly acts now to create regulations in anticipation of a ruling by the Supreme Court.

“If the Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, sports wagering will be legal in Kentucky despite this bill. This bill regulates an industry that I believe is coming to Kentucky. We should take advantage of this opportunity while safeguarding our citizens.”

A key proviso of the new bill is that the majority of the revenue generated from sports betting legalisation be used in state pension programs for state employees and teachers, which is currently the subject of a $1bn shortfall. Carroll added: “The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship would also benefit, with the remaining going towards horse racing development funds.”

Despite the positive revenue benefits, opposition to using gambling as a means of plugging the state's revenue holes is high, with many concerned that the introduction of gambling will lead to a rise in crime.

Paul Chitwood, Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention told WDRB.com: “I don't think that creating a crisis is the way to solve a crisis, in fact, we'd be creating more than one crisis if we welcome casinos."