Andy Beshear, the Democratic candidate of Kentucky gubernatorial election, has unveiled his plan to expand gaming and bring casinos, sports betting, fantasy sports and potentially online poker into the Bluegrass State.
Beshear, the state’s current Attorney General, faces Republican incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin in the November general election. Bevin has spoken out against gaming, especially as an option to increase funding for public pensions.
Beshear’s plan resembles what Illinois officials pushed through in their state earlier this year. While Illinois already had casino gaming, the new law expands the number of casino licenses available and allows sports betting across the state. Illinois plans to use the revenue stream to shore up the state’s infrastructure and fund pensions.
Kentucky is one of the 10 states in the US without a commercial or tribal casino. The border states of Kentucky such as Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio have casinos or racinos located just across the Ohio River near major population centres in Kentucky. Beshear said that the state loses out on $500 million in tax revenue annually to its neighbouring states.
