Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association

Stumbo Proposes Local Voting on KY Slots

February 14, 2010

A horse industry lobbying group is backing a plan for local-option votes on slot machines at racetracks, a compromise proposed by House Speaker Greg Stumbo.

Opponents quickly rejected the idea.

Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, who has filed competing legislation for a constitutional amendment to expand gambling, said the proposal isn't a viable compromise.

"It bypasses the constitution and the desire of 85 percent of the commonwealth's citizens who want to vote on this issue," Thayer said. "That proposal would give the people of Fayette County a vote but not the people of Scott County." Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said he has a committee substitute ready if his slots bill is ever called for a vote, but that won't happen unless the Senate agrees to allow a floor vote on the issue. His proposal would change the state's lottery laws to allow slots at racetracks.

"The point is to try to find some middle ground," Stumbo said Friday.

He said local referenda, such as wet/dry votes on alcohol sales, would satisfy those who say the people should be allowed to vote on expanding gambling.

"It satisfies them if they truly want to find a compromise," Stumbo said. "Or do they just want to stop the bill? ... If they just want to protect the casinos then they'll reject the proposal."

The idea has the support of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, which says the state's horse industry is hurting and needs gambling to compete with other states.

"This certainly seems like a reasonable compromise," said Patrick Neely, KEEP spokesman. If a bill is passed this session, votes could be held in counties with racetracks as early as this summer, he said.

KEEP is also proposing that revenue from the state's parimutuel taxes be diverted from the General Fund into purses and breeders' incentives. Last fiscal year, the state collected $4.4 million in parimutuel taxes, but about $2.5 million of that has been refunded to Kentucky racetracks that slipped into lower tax brackets.

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Stumbo Proposes Local Voting on KY Slots