The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation could take over for two current regulators
A comprehensive bill introduced in the Kentucky legislature on Tuesday aims to create a new independent government corporation to manage nearly all of Kentucky’s gambling and horse racing.
The 281-page proposal would authorize the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation to regulate all parimutuel wagering, including traditional horse racing machines, sports betting, and charitable gaming.
The entity would replace the Department of Charitable Gaming and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which currently operate under the authority of the Public Protection Cabinet.
Lawmakers introduced the language into a “shell bill” that was previously filed during the legislative session and replaced it with an amendment pushed through by Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer that would have connected the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
One of the current bill’s co-sponsors, Thayer (R-Georgetown), recognized that House Speaker David Osborne introduced a better idea, which is making the regulatory body an independent agency similar to the Public Service Commission or the Kentucky Lottery Corporation.
Senate Bill 299 was approved by a Senate committee on Tuesday. The bill was passed by the full Senate later on Tuesday, with most Republicans in favor and all Democrats voting against. It will be debated by a House committee later this week.
If approved, the bill would make the regulatory body permanent, with protection from being disbanded by future governors, as has occurred under previous administrations, Thayer and Osborne said. The charitable gaming portion of the bill would go into effect in July 2025, with the remainder, if passed, taking effect in July 2024.
Thayer and Osborne noted that no changes would be made concerning licensing and regulating charities like church organizations that operate bingo games and other fundraising campaigns.
