“We lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars a year. “Kentucky can’t afford to fall behind our neighboring states who are moving forward with the rest of the country on expanded gaming,” Beshear was quoted in August as saying in Kentucky Today. Political polling shows that Bevin has an edge over Beshear, who in December 2018 would have been the favorite. In announcing his candidacy last week, Beshear enthusiastically embraced an expansion of gaming - and sports betting, in particular - in the Bluegrass State. “We’re going to have a much better chance this year,” Republican Representative Adam Koenig told Sports Handle. And due to an idiosyncrasy in the state constitution, revenue bills need 60 percent of the House to pass in odd-numbered years, but only 51 percent in even-numbered year.
If Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andy Beshear can unseat sitting Republican Governor Matt Bevin, lawmakers would have the governor on their side. It hasn’t been for lack of trying.īut by 2020, sports betting could get just the jolt it needs - for two reasons. Kentucky lawmakers haven’t found a way to legalize sports betting since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was struck down by the Supreme Court in May 2018.
