Stumbo says gambling ‘probably dead for this session’

By Beth Musgrave
bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — House Speaker Greg Stumbo said Friday that he does not expect his chamber to consider a constitutional amendment to allow casino-style gambling in Kentucky during this legislative session.

“I think it’s probably dead for this session,” said Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg.

Stumbo’s comments came the day after the state Senate rejected a constitutional amendment that would have let voters decide if they wanted seven casinos in the state. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 21-16 against the measure.

The issue of allowing expanded gambling at racetracks has been debated for more than a decade in Kentucky. The Democratic-controlled House has passed legislation in previous years that would allow the state’s racetracks to have casino-style gambling, but it was never heard in the Republican-controlled Senate.

The sponsor of this year’s proposal, Republican Sen. Damon Thayer of Georgetown, said on Thursday that he has no plans to attach the amendment to other legislation.

“I think it’s very difficult to predict in this building what’s alive and what’s dead,” Thayer said.

Stumbo agreed, noting that no measure is dead until the General Assembly adjourns for the year.

Stumbo said there were problems with the wording of this year’s proposal.

“It was a tough bill. It was a tough sell. The wording, I think, caused some confusion, the politics caused some confusion,” Stumbo said. “It got a full and fair hearing and now it’s time to move on.”

Filed Under: Damon Thayer • Greg Stumbo • KY General Assembly • State Government