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in the meantime kentucky Legalizing sports betting faces an uphill battle 2023Senate leaders see prospects for moving forward on the issue.
Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer Said LSR This week he expects momentum to continue from last year’s failed effort, but it will be difficult to overcome odd-year session cuts and strong religious opposition. is likely to succeed.
When the Kentucky Legislature Reconvenes Februarythere will be 26 This year is the days to act.
“Anything can happen. I’m not going to put the odds on it at this point, but I think the odds are better than last year,” Thayer said. “Hopefully we can make some progress this year and if we are not successful next year we will have longer sessions and a lower threshold.
“That doesn’t mean I’m giving up on this year.”
Sports Betting Begins at Kentucky House
Last year, the Kentucky legislature moved closer to legalizing sports betting thanks to the efforts of the former president. Congressman Adam Koenig. This year’s successful push House Similarly, Thayer said.
Three congressmen hold the lead in the House. HB106Thayer said he is working with sponsors to make it more attractive to the Senate.
A sports-betting-only bill would be better for the Senate, Thayer said. The law now expands Kentucky’s games to include online poker and daily fantasy sports.
Republican Senate split over sports betting
Koenig’s bill failed to pass the Senate last year. Republican Party The majority were unable to reach consensus on support for sports betting.
This year, Thayer said the Senate gained support for sports betting from freshmen senators.
However, Thayer says: Senate Speaker Robert Steiber This issue remains ambiguous. Governor Andy BeshearSports Betting Proponents Blame Failed Senate ‘Minority’ Holdout 2022 effort.
Baptist Prevents Defense in Kentucky
Despite the perceived momentum, there is a conservative religious dissident in Kentucky. last week, Kentucky Baptist Convention He promised to fight sports gambling.
“Arousing Baptist preachers turns into a rural-urban divide,” Thayer said. “There is a very conservative part of society in this state, which is represented in Congress.”
Kentucky Baptist Convention leaders argue that legalized sports betting fosters “love lure” and “almost always leads to other sins.”
“Although proponents claim gambling generates income, we know that it comes with social and psychological costs that are often hidden but always present in the short term,” says Kentucky Baptist. conference president James Carroll Said Kentucky today“Research shows that while some people engage in gambling responsibly, many are spoiled to the point of damaging their communities through increased crime, bankruptcy, family breakdown, and additional government services. increase.
“As Kentucky Baptists, we recognize the lack of wisdom in supporting it because of the economic and social costs the state will inevitably pay.”
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