On Last Bill Filing Day, Harry Moberly Files "Last Effort" Bill To Authorize "Electronic Game Of Chance". Read More Below.
Bill filed to help tracks with 'skill' games
By Deborah Yetter • and Gregory A. Hall
FRANKFORT, Ky. — In what he called a “last effort” to help Kentucky's horse industry, Rep. Harry Moberly Tuesday filed a bill to authorize “electronic games of skill” at the state's racetracks.
House Bill 601 would allow the race tracks to operate games such as video poker, blackjack or other games of skill that Moberly said might be more acceptable than the slots at racetracks proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear.
“I would assume this is more acceptable to the general public,'' the Richmond Democrat said. “It's more like video games.”
Moberly, a former chairman of the House budget committee, said the games require a higher level of skill than slot machines and have a higher rate of return on winnings.
Moberly said he filed the bill Tuesday — the last day for bills to be filed in the House — in case the Senate offered a similar proposal by Wednesday, the last day to file bills in that chamber.
Moberly said he has discussed the idea with Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, who expressed interest in it.
Worley confirmed that he hopes the Senate will consider the idea.
“Hopefully people are willing to look at this objectively,” he said, adding that he believes the horse industry is in trouble and needs help.
Moberly said he hasn't had a chance to discuss his bill with House Democratic leadership. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
Under HB 601, the Kentucky Lottery Commission would oversee the operation of such electronic games, and the voters in each county where the games would operate would have to approve them in a special election.
Of the proceeds, 13.5 percent would go to the track, to be used for racing purses. Another 1.5 percent of the revenue would go to purse supplements, breeders' awards, owners' awards and stallion awards, according to the bill.
Moberly said the rest — a figure he put at roughly $32 million a year — would go to the state for a jobs program, which he said means capital projects.
Moberly said the revenue to the state wouldn't solve the projected budget shortfall but could be considered as part of any final decisions on the budget, most likely in a conference committee.
Editor's comment: Is a gambling bill, not a gambling bill?
To continue reading, go here.
By Deborah Yetter • and Gregory A. Hall
FRANKFORT, Ky. — In what he called a “last effort” to help Kentucky's horse industry, Rep. Harry Moberly Tuesday filed a bill to authorize “electronic games of skill” at the state's racetracks.
House Bill 601 would allow the race tracks to operate games such as video poker, blackjack or other games of skill that Moberly said might be more acceptable than the slots at racetracks proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear.
“I would assume this is more acceptable to the general public,'' the Richmond Democrat said. “It's more like video games.”
Moberly, a former chairman of the House budget committee, said the games require a higher level of skill than slot machines and have a higher rate of return on winnings.
Moberly said he filed the bill Tuesday — the last day for bills to be filed in the House — in case the Senate offered a similar proposal by Wednesday, the last day to file bills in that chamber.
Moberly said he has discussed the idea with Senate Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, who expressed interest in it.
Worley confirmed that he hopes the Senate will consider the idea.
“Hopefully people are willing to look at this objectively,” he said, adding that he believes the horse industry is in trouble and needs help.
Moberly said he hasn't had a chance to discuss his bill with House Democratic leadership. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
Under HB 601, the Kentucky Lottery Commission would oversee the operation of such electronic games, and the voters in each county where the games would operate would have to approve them in a special election.
Of the proceeds, 13.5 percent would go to the track, to be used for racing purses. Another 1.5 percent of the revenue would go to purse supplements, breeders' awards, owners' awards and stallion awards, according to the bill.
Moberly said the rest — a figure he put at roughly $32 million a year — would go to the state for a jobs program, which he said means capital projects.
Moberly said the revenue to the state wouldn't solve the projected budget shortfall but could be considered as part of any final decisions on the budget, most likely in a conference committee.
Editor's comment: Is a gambling bill, not a gambling bill?
To continue reading, go here.
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