Kentucky Committee OKs Tax on Account Wagers

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Legislation that would tax pari-mutuel wagers made by Kentucky residents through advance deposit wagering services was approved in committee Feb. 21 and heads to the House of Representatives.

The bill, discussed by legislators during a pre-General Assembly hearing late last year and introduced in the House Jan. 9, was approved by the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee. The Louisville Courier-Journal reported the vote was unanimous.

Under the measure a tax of 0.5% would be imposed on ADW operators from wagers made by Kentucky residents. Of that amount, the state’s general fund would earn 15% and horse racing would get 85%.

The Kentucky track on which a wager is placed, or a track that serves as simulcast host for out-of-state races, would get the 85%. The track would then give horsemen 50% for purses and breed development programs.

The impetus of the legislation is the fact the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, which supplements purses for Kentucky-bred runners in higher-level races, is bypassed by current statute that has no provisions for bets made through ADW services, even if the wagers are made via computer by someone at a Kentucky track.

The bill doesn’t specify the KTDF as a receiver of ADW tax revenue.

A legislative fiscal note states “best estimates” have the tax raising $300,000 to $400,000 a year, which would amount to about $175,000 for purses.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is in the process of licensing ADW providers that accept wagers from Kentucky residents.

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