Historically, expanding gambling options in Kentucky was a political non-starter. The only two real options in the Bluegrass State are horse racing and the state lottery. Legislators had no serious appetite to change that, especially since their religious constituents are vehemently opposed to any expansion.
Thus, the path to legal sports betting in Kentucky has been a slow, uphill slog. However, the political landscape is shifting, and a bill that would allow Kentucky online and retail sportsbooks was introduced in the House.
But some things never change. The Kentucky Baptist Convention is emerging as one of the bill’s most vocal opponents. Furthermore, a short 26-day legislative session this year could hamper passage.
“Kentucky already struggles with drug addiction, and it is immoral for the state to encourage another form of addiction – sports betting,” said Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Gray in an interview with Kentucky Today last week.
State Representatives Cherlynn Stevenson, Derrick Graham, and Rachel Roberts, all Democrats, placed House Bill 106 onto the legislative calendar. The measure would vastly alter betting on sports in the state. Currently, only pari-mutuel horse race betting is permitted in the state.
HB 106 would allow retail and online sportsbooks. The bill would allow those 18 and older to bet on most forms of professional and collegiate sports.
Apathy From Some Republicans Could Sink Sports Betting Bill in 2023
In 2022, the House passed two bills that would have sports betting. But the bill never came to a vote in the Senate due to the opposition of a few well-placed opponents, according to Gov. Andy Beshear, an ardent supporter of Kentucky sports betting.
This year, with a mandated short legislative session and a required two-thirds super majority vote for the passage of any legislation, it could be more challenging to pass a sports betting bill. It might be those who are silent that kill it.
Senate President Robert Stivers, a Republican from London, Ky., has been notably equivocal. Without his open support, it could be difficult to push a bill through the upper chamber, where it is likely to face its biggest test.
HB 106 won’t be considered until February when state legislators gather in Frankfort. A compromise could make the bill easier to swallow for some Republicans on the fence. The removal of some aspects of HB 106, such as the legalization of online poker and daily fantasy sports, could push it over the line for support.
Legal sports betting surrounds the Bluegrass State
Kentucky lags behind almost every state in its neighborhood regarding sports betting. The Bluegrass State only allows betting on horse racing, and that only comes in a pari-mutuel format, not the fixed-odds method used at traditional sportsbooks.
HB 106 would put Kentucky on par with neighbors Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois with legal sportsbooks. Kentucky has a small 40-mile stretch that does not border a state with legal online or retail sportsbooks.
