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Beshear says he is open to standalone casinos in Kentucky
#1
LOUISVILLE — Gov. Steve Beshear again opened the possibility of stand-alone casinos, in addition to casinos at racetracks, during remarks Thursday at the Kentucky Farm Bureau annual convention.

Speaking to reporters after the luncheon, the governor indicated that he could support either a legislative option or a constitutional amendment on gambling for the 2012 ballot.

"I think most folks out there are ready to vote on expanded gambling," Beshear said. "My preference is for passing something we can get a majority vote on. If that's legislation, I'm all for it. If that's a constitutional amendment, I'm all for it. I think it's a much easier vote to put on the ballot and let the people vote on it."

He said he has been in talks with Republican and Democratic leaders in both state chambers but has not yet met with Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville. Beshear soundly defeated Williams in the Nov. 8 general election, and Beshear said yesterday that one key difference was their stand on gambling.

Responding to Beshear, Williams said, "After over four years, it seems that the governor is still formulating how he wants to address his primary agenda item: the expansion of gambling."

Beshear was elected four years ago on a promise to put forth a constitutional amendment on gambling, but his attempts to pass it, along with enabling legislation, faltered. Two years ago, an attempt to allow gambling without an amendment was passed by the House but never came to a vote in the full Senate.
State House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said in a statement, "The House has already voted once on this issue, and it is now up to the Senate to act in good faith. If they send us legislation, we will take a look at it."
Stumbo later added: "However, the majority of the House is on record in working with Governor Beshear to resolve this issue to help stabilize and save our horse industry. In that regard, I will keep an open mind on any approach."
Although Beshear said Thursday that he could support stand-alone casinos at some locations in the state, "our racetracks need to be a part of any solution on expanded gambling."

Spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said late Thursday that Beshear emphasized that any expansion of gambling must be tied to racetracks in some way.
"Whatever form expanded gaming takes, the governor wants racetracks to be a partner in the result," Richardson said.

Previously, Beshear has pushed for as many as nine casinos, with most associated with major racetracks. But more locations could bring in more revenue, a key factor with the state facing a budget shortfall. He said he does not have new revenue projections and does not plan to base the state budget on money from gambling.

"The amount of money we can raise will depend on how many facilities," Beshear said. "It's obvious we could realize significant revenues if we had expanded gaming in this state.


Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/01/19796...z1fLRzu0qU
#2
It would help a lot with bringing in revenue for the state, and all kinds of other businesses, and jobs.
#3
Would be great for the state. Beyond great.
#4
It would make a HUGE boost in the economy...tons of new jobs, plus think about how many people already drive out of state to go to casinos.
#5
I wrote a huge paper on this topic. And it would be great for the state. Indiana brings in a ton of revenue and in Evansville, a large percentage of patrons are from the KY side of the river. It would be great to fund education, infrastructure, etc... and bring construction, hotel, and other jobs to the state.
#6
I will be going to the one in Crosslanes this weekend. That could be money for Kentucky.
#7
Panther Thunder Wrote:I wrote a huge paper on this topic. And it would be great for the state. Indiana brings in a ton of revenue and in Evansville, a large percentage of patrons are from the KY side of the river. It would be great to fund education, infrastructure, etc... and bring construction, hotel, and other jobs to the state.
I'm not against expanded gambling in Kentucky, nor can I say I am for it. I can say that the lottery was supposed to fund many of the things you mentioned. For some odd reason, I have no confidence in government spending revenue from gambling any better than they do any other money. Don't expect any windfall benefit if passed.

I say put on the ballot and let the voters of Kentucky decide.
#8
SKINNYPIG Wrote:I'm not against expanded gambling in Kentucky, nor can I say I am for it. I can say that the lottery was supposed to fund many of the things you mentioned. For some odd reason, I have no confidence in government spending revenue from gambling any better than they do any other money. Don't expect any windfall benefit if passed.

I say put on the ballot and let the voters of Kentucky decide.
:Thumbs::Thumbs: Great post. It's not that I oppose gambling - I think that it is one of those things that should be legal among any two or more consenting adults - what I hate is the state's monopoly on gambling. Gambling should be in private hands and taxed like any other business. I oppose all "sin" taxes on general principle.

Think of how many more jobs legal gambling would produce without the state taking an unfair cut and saddling owners of gambling establishments with much higher regulatory costs than most other businesses. Not only could Kentucky gambling businesses keep gaming dollars in state, they could attract out of state "investments" by offering better returns on their wagers.
#9
Hoot Gibson Wrote::Thumbs::Thumbs: Great post. It's not that I oppose gambling - I think that it is one of those things that should be legal among any two or more consenting adults - what I hate is the state's monopoly on gambling. Gambling should be in private hands and taxed like any other business. I oppose all "sin" taxes on general principle.

Think of how many more jobs legal gambling would produce without the state taking an unfair cut and saddling owners of gambling establishments with much higher regulatory costs than most other businesses. Not only could Kentucky gambling businesses keep gaming dollars in state, they could attract out of state "investments" by offering better returns on their wagers.
I would think that casinos would be privately owned, unlike the lottery. I can't see the state owning them.
#10
TheRealVille Wrote:I would think that casinos would be privately owned, unlike the lottery. I can't see the state owning them.
I said nothing about the state owning casinos. Gambling is a tax on stupidity and transfers wealth from the stupid to the smart. The more you gamble, the dumber you are unless you are among the tiny fraction of the population who consistently win more than they lose.

Kentucky should should legalize gambling an incomed treat gambling like any other business and it should treat gambling income just like any other income.
#11
Hoot Gibson Wrote:I said nothing about the state owning casinos. Gambling is a tax on stupidity and transfers wealth from the stupid to the smart. The more you gamble, the dumber you are unless you are among the tiny fraction of the population who consistently win more than they lose.

Kentucky should should legalize gambling an incomed treat gambling like any other business and it should treat gambling income just like any other income.
That would be me.
#12
^^^Yeah right. Full of crap as a Christmas turkey. I know by your posts you would be a bookie's ultimate wet dream.
#13
jetpilot Wrote:^^^Yeah right. Full of crap as a Christmas turkey. I know by your posts you would be a bookie's ultimate wet dream.
You don't have to believe me, I didn't ask you to. I can give several references to people that know how I usually come out in the gambling scene. In the years of my card playing, I am way ahead of the game.
#14
TheRealVille Wrote:You don't have to believe me, I didn't ask you to. I can give several references to people that know how I usually come out in the gambling scene. In the years of my card playing, I am way ahead of the game.

PM me your references.
#15
jetpilot Wrote:PM me your references.
There you go.
#16
TheRealVille Wrote:There you go.

Got it.:Thumbs:
#17
I actually agree with RV on this one. We are losing one of our signature industries (thoroughbred racing/breeding) to other states. I couldn't vote for David Williams because of this. You can't not allow something because people may abuse it. Otherwise, I can think of about 1000 things that should be against the law that aren't.
#18
jetpilot Wrote:^^^Yeah right. Full of crap as a Christmas turkey. I know by your posts you would be a bookie's ultimate wet dream.

Ok I take this post back. For the record, RV gave me names and I know one of the guys very well and his word is golden.
#19
jetpilot Wrote:Ok I take this post back. For the record, RV gave me names and I know one of the guys very well and his word is golden.
You inbox is full, it wouldn't let my last msg send.

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