Gambling is Hot Issue for Kentucky Assembly

As reported by the Ledger Independent: "Of the many hot issues now before the Kentucky General Assembly, gambling is at the top.

"Commercials on local television stations tout the advantages gambling will bring to the commonwealth. As the matter could go to the voters, what do they really think?

"…Come November, voters might get to decide if Kentucky will have expanded gambling, which includes casinos near race tracks. Currently Senate Bill 4 is in committee. If approved, the bill would amend Section 226 of the Constitution of Kentucky, relating to casinos and gambling. The bill states:

" "Propose a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to casinos; allow the General Assembly to permit the operation of casinos, which may include casinos at horse racing tracks; provide, if General Assembly authorizes casino gaming, for agency of state government to be created to regulate casinos by special law notwithstanding Section 59 or 60 of the Constitution, establish qualifications of individuals and entities authorized to operate casinos, limit number and location of casinos, define types of lotteries, gift enterprises and gambling games to be permitted, provide for other standards to ensure honest operation of casinos; define casino and casino-style gaming; restrict operation of casinos until the state agency shall have first approved the conduct of casinos and the governing body of the county, urban-county, charter county, or consolidated local government has approved the operation; propose to amend Section 226 of the Kentucky Constitution to provide that the new section is an exception to the prohibition against lotteries and gift enterprises; submit to voters; provide ballot language."…"