Few people want sports betting legalized in Kentucky more than state Rep. Adam Koenig. The Erlanger Republican has filed bills since 2019 calling for just that. Kentucky state Rep. Adam Koenig presents a bill on historical horse racing to the state House of Representatives during the 2021 session. Koenig said he plans to once again submit a bill legalizing sports betting in the state. (Image: Legislative Research Commission Public Information Office) Another bill is on the table for the 2022 General Assembly session, which started on Tuesday. But while there’s hope, there’s also some frustration, too. That was evident as he spoke with Casino.org from his legislative office on Monday night, just hours before the new session began. I don’t understand why it hasn’t passed yet,” he said. “So, there’s reasons for hope, but my expectations are not high because I’ve been burned before.” Two years ago, Koenig’s bill passed unanimously in the House Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee, which he chairs. It passed in the second week of the 60-day session and went to the House floor, with 41 of Koenig’s 99 colleagues in the chamber co-sponsoring it.
There, it withered on the vine, as opponents of expanded gaming filed numerous amendments to the bill. Two months later, toward the end of the session, the bill went back to the committee, ending its hopes.
A sports betting bill was filed during last year’s 30-day short session. However, the legislature’s gaming focus zeroed in on ensuring historical horse racing (HHR) was legalized after the state Supreme Court issued an opinion saying the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission did not have the authority to create a new parimutuel game. The racing industry pushed for the legislation because revenue from the slots-like HHR machines has helped revitalize horse and harness racing in the state. Surrounded By Legal Sports Betting States
As the Kentucky General Assembly convenes, it comes as another of Kentucky’s neighboring states has just signed off on legalizing sports betting.
Ohio lawmakers passed their bill last month and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law. With it, Ohio became the 33rd state […]
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