Governor Steve Beshear's "gaming" plan includes seven casinos at tracks and five "free standing" ones.

The seven casinos will be built on race tracks sites, although they could be built off track, subject to local approval). The five "free-standing" casinos are subject to local approval, and could be located in Daviess County, Christian County, Kenton or Campbell counties, Boyd or Greenup counties and Laurel or Whitley counties.

All 12 casinos, if built, could produce up to $599.3 million a year from wagering taxes and license fees. Initially, the license fees would produce $500.9 million in 2008-2009 and $481.9 million in 2009-2010, according to estimates from the state budget office.

To be implemented, the plan will require two thirds majority approval from the House (where prospects for passage appears favorable) and the Senate (where its passage appears doubtful). Then a constitutional amendment will have to be approved by the voters in November. Here is a proposed constitutional amendment for it:

"Are you in favor of increasing state financial support for elementary and secondary education, expanding health care for senior citizens, children and others, support for local governments, and combating drug and alcohol abuse and other important programs by permitting the General Assembly to authorize up to five casinos subject to approval of the voters in the city or county where the casino is located; and up to seven casinos licenses for existing horse racing associations, all of which will be subject to the approval of a state agency created to oversee casino gaming?"

What do you think about the proposed "gaming"? If you approve, is the number too many or just right? What about the proposed locations, and the idea of local approval?