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The Gambling Battle for Governor of Kentucky
In November 2023, Kentucky held its gubernatorial election, which pinned Andy Beshear, the Incumbent Democratic governor, against Daniel Cameron, the Republican state attorney general. The race was won by Beshear, who attained re-election by winning 52.53% of the vote, in an election that saw the best performance by a Democrat since 2011 and the worst by a Republican. However, it wasn’t the race that generated nationwide media attention as much as the monetary contributions both parties received to back specific interests. Notably, heavy gambling interests put big money on the election.
According to the available data, in 2023, Kentucky’s horse race tracks gave sizeable funds to the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which forked over around $19 million to back Andy Beshear’s win. Per uncovered IRS reports, the DGA received $50,000 from Revolutionary Racing Kentucky, $200,000 from Kentucky Downs, and a quarter of a million dollars from Churchill Downs in the latter half of 2023. That said, Daniel Cameron’s campaign also got a gambling fund boost, as it was revealed that the Republican candidate obtained $362,000 in contributions through the Republican Governors Association (RGA) from Georgia-based gaming machine manufacturer Pace-O-Matic in 2023 to fuel Cameron’s $12 million bid for governor.
Thankfully, both the RGA and DGA must disclose their expenses and donors to the IRS, which supplies the public with much-needed transparency regarding whose interests governor candidates will seek to look out for. Aside from gambling entities, both Cameron and Beshear noted backing from energy, health, and financial companies. Nonetheless, the gambling total came to somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 million, an impressive sum.
Differing Gambling Interests in Kentucky
As noted above, Kentucky horse race tracks supported Beshear’s second term by providing considerable donations to his campaign. That happened primarily because Beshear legalized sports betting in the state. The bill he passed allowed tracks to open retail lounges that accept wagers on sporting events. Thus, in September 2023, the Governor was the first to place a bet on an athletic competition in Kentucky. He laid a $20 parlay on two home-state college teams at the Churchill Downs track, citing this is the type of entertainment Kentuckians have been looking for for years. He added that allowing this activity will only boost local tourism and make people stay in Kentucky and not flee for Vegas once the NCAA March Madness tournament rolls around.
It should be said that once, the state’s multiple tracks, Cumberland Run, Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, Red Mile Racing & Gaming, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, Oak Grove Racing & Gaming, Churchill Downs, and Sandy’s Racing & Gaming, established their brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, they also began exploring possibilities branching off into other types of gambling.
So, on one side, the Democrats got chiefly backed by the tracks in Kentucky. And the Republicans got aid from Pace-O-Matic, a company whose twenty-five hundred Burning Barrel games got shut down in June 2023, on the claim that they violated Kentucky law, which does not allow games of chance, even though Pace-O-Matic classifies them as ones of skill, citing that their nature does not cause any conflict with the state’s legislature.
Still, the manufacturer’s machines, widely available across the commonwealth at gas stations and bars, got disabled. That occurred by the rule of law from Governor Beshear, who signed the bill that banned them, proclaiming they feature no regulation, bring in zero in taxation, and only exist to take away hard-earned dollars from Kentuckians. However, venue owners throughout the state have rebelled against the move, stating that these machines help keep them in business, as the money they receive from hosting them is enough to cover their utility bills.
Hence, from everything explained above, it is clear that Beshear is interested in keeping his supporters happy by eliminating their gambling competitors, who looked to back someone else to take his place and change the laws to their benefit.
The Online Casino Situation in Kentucky
While Internet sports wagering is booming in the US, the same cannot be said of interactive gaming, as only seven US states have chosen to permit such gambling sites. Kentucky is not among them, as KY online casinos cannot be run from within the state’s borders. That said, for years, residents have been able to use internationally-regulated platforms based in foreign lands for game-of-chance fun.
Proposed lawsuits filed in Kentucky’s Eastern District in August of 2023 have raised eyebrows regarding whether this entertainment form is still available to Kentucky’s citizens due to a Lawrenceburg resident, Billi Jo Woods, suing Bovada and Bodog (Morris Mohawk Gaming Group), reputable offshore operators for violating state gambling law.
In the proposed suit, Woods alleged she had lost substantial amounts of money gambling at Bovada/Bodog-operated hubs and is calling about a 19th-century law that declares that Kentuckians can file legal actions against operators who they believe have unlawfully taken funds from them. The grounds for Woods’ suit is that the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group offers online casino gaming to the state’s citizens despite the state not legalizing this activity. Few believe this action will produce meaningful results for Woods, as loads of Kentuckians still use offshore platforms to satisfy their gaming needs.
Award-winning fast-betting content provider strengthens its position in the region with the latest hire
BETER, the in-demand provider of fast-betting content, data, and live streaming for esports and sports, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Juliana Querino as LatAm Business Development Manager.
Juliana, a seasoned business development specialist based in Brazil, has extensive experience in the Latin American iGaming industry. She has previously held various business development positions at Better Collective, Endorphina, Salsa Technology, and other companies. Her expertise was recognized by the G&M News platform, which included her in its Top 5 Women in the Industry 2024 list—highlighting women making significant contributions to the growth of iGaming in the region.
In her new role at BETER, she will drive the company’s expansion across Latin America, forging new partnerships with regional operators and aggregators, particularly in Brazil, where demand for BETER’s content continues to grow.
She will also drive BETER into new LatAm markets where the provider does not currently have a presence while managing relationships with existing partners to ensure they get the most out of the provider’s next-gen content offering.
Chuck Robinson, Chief Revenue Officer at BETER, said: “Latin America is a fast-moving market with opportunities opening up all the time. To capitalize on these, we need an exceptional specialist, and in Juliana, we have found exactly that. Her expertise and deep market knowledge make her a valuable addition to our team.
“We are already experiencing strong demand for our fast-betting products and solutions across the region. With Juliana on board, we can further identify key operators that would benefit from partnering with us, driving even greater growth.
“I’m delighted to welcome Juliana to the BETER team.”
Juliana Querino commented: “Fast-betting content has become essential for operators in Latin America and beyond, and I’m thrilled to join BETER in expanding awareness of its award-winning portfolio.
“BETER is renowned for its ESportsBattle and Setka Cup tournaments, which are already popular among bettors in LatAm. But our offering goes far beyond that, and I’m eager to showcase the full suite of products and solutions to operators from Brazil to Peru.”
“I look forward to helping BETER maximize the full potential of the LatAm market.”
BetBreak.org has published “When and How to Take a Time-Out from Sportsbetting,” a brand-new workbook designed to help readers understand how taking a break – of any duration – from sports betting can be transformational for their mental health, financial health, and relationships with friends and family.
“This workbook and self-study guide is for anyone who wants to explore their relationship with gambling and it’s especially for those who are wondering whether it might be time for a break from sports betting,” said addiction expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds.
The workbook includes information about how to know if you are ready to change, tips for curbing your sports betting if you aren’t ready to quit, setting SMART goals, and limiting access to the three things necessary to gamble. The guide also contains proven tools for managing cravings and urges, resources to regain control over your finances, strategies for dealing with guilt and shame as well as stress management tips.
“The BetBreak workbook is based on the science of behavior change and helps readers make the sustainable shifts in habits necessary to live life with more presence, focus, well-being and happiness,” Dr. Reynolds said.
SCCG Management, a global leader in gaming advisory, business development, and investment strategies, has secured membership to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA). As the premier organization dedicated to advancing fantasy sports and sports betting, FSGA provides a collaborative environment where industry leaders, innovators, and pioneers shape the future of these rapidly growing sectors.
By joining FSGA, SCCG Management reinforces its commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends, market developments, and emerging opportunities within fantasy sports and sports gaming. The partnership will allow SCCG to engage with key stakeholders, participate in thought leadership discussions, and contribute strategic insights to the evolving landscape of fantasy sports, sports wagering, and interactive gaming experiences.
With the fantasy sports and sports betting industries experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, SCCG’s expertise in business development, technology integration, and investment strategy will bring valuable insights to the FSGA community. As a member, SCCG will actively participate in industry conferences, working groups, and networking events, including the upcoming 2025 FSGA Winter Conference, which serves as a hub for leaders, visionaries, and top executives shaping the future of fantasy sports and sports betting.
“FSGA is at the center of innovation in fantasy sports and gaming, and we are excited to join this influential community. At SCCG, we are always looking to align with industry leaders who are shaping the future of interactive sports entertainment. Through this partnership, we look forward to collaborating with fellow members, exchanging insights, and driving innovation across fantasy sports and sports betting,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
As SCCG continues to expand its global impact in fantasy sports, sports betting, and gaming technology, its membership in FSGA further solidifies its position as a trusted advisor and partner to the industry’s most innovative companies.
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