Beshear to Push for Statewide Gambling Vote

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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will push for a 2012 constitutional amendment to expand gambling in the state.

Beshear told reporters Dec. 13 he intends to "go all out" to try to get the General Assembly to allow Kentuckians to vote on whether gambling should be expanded. The governor, elected to a second four-year term in November, has said the horse industry must be part of the plan.

Political leaders for about two decades have been reluctant to open the state to video lottery terminals, slot machines, or other casino-style games.

Beshear said he and his aides are working on details of his gambling proposal now, and that he hopes to get a plan passed by lawmakers during the legislative session that begins in January 2012.

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