Kentucky governor lays out plans for up to a dozen casinos
Related Articles
Recently elected Kentucky governor Steve Beshear unveiled his plans for bringing casino gambling to the state this week, presenting a proposal to the Kentucky General Assembly on Thursday.
If Beshear’s plan is accepted by the Assembly, casino construction would still hinge on approval by voters in areas where proposed casinos would be located.
Business First of Columbus ran an article that laid out the details of Breshear’s plan and possible hurdles to free-standing casinos in Kentucky. Excerpt:
“If the people of Kentucky vote ‘yes’ for limited expanded gaming, we strongly believe that the annual estimated fiscal impact of the legislation at full implementation would be approximately $600 million,” Beshear said in the release.
Half of gaming tax proceeds would be allocated to education and 20 percent would go to health care. The rest of the proceeds would be divided among gambling addiction treatment programs, substance abuse treatment programs, veterans’ programs, tourism, environmental protection, agriculture and economic development.
To allow casino gambling, three-fifths of both houses in the Kentucky General Assembly would have to approve a constitutional amendment. The amendment then would face a statewide ratification vote.
