A Pair of Slots Bills Planned for Kentucky

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A Kentucky legislator has proposed a pair of bills that would permit electronic slot machines at the state's eight racetracks, as well as every county in the state, if approved by local voters.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Rep. Tom Burch plans to introduce two bills to legalize slot machines, but not casino-style gambling.
Additional legislation is also expected to be filed by Sen. David Boswell (D) that would permit casino gambling at tracks and stand-alone casinos.

The Courier-Journal is reporting that the bill filed by Burch would generate about $200 million annually, with 12% of the revenue returned to the racetracks.

Under his second proposal, voters in each of the 120 Kentucky Counties would vote on a separate slots proposal for their county. The statewide proposal is expected to generate $800 million annually.

According to published reports, Burch's statewide slots plan would allow 11,000 machines across the state, with the number of machines permitted in each county rationed by population. Each county would be limited to 50 machines, with no more than 25 machines allowed in one location.

Burch told the Courier-Journal that a constitutional amendment could be required for the statewide slots bill.

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