Kentucky state Reps. Al Gentry and Dennis Keene pre-filed HB 12, which would amend the Kentucky Revised Statues to allow sports betting and authorize the Kentucky Lottery Corporation to regulate it. The measure has been referred to the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee for review. It’s the first sports betting bill introduced in the House; previously one was introduced in the Senate. Currently only betting on horseraces is legal in Kentucky.
HB 12 allows betting on professional and collegiate sports. However, it does not spell out the tax rate, application fees or whether only in-person betting will be permitted; that appears to be the case, with mobile wagering not allowed. Sports betting only would be permitted at “retailers that have a seating capacity of at least 20.”
The bill does not include an integrity fee or royalty to professional leagues, not does it require the use of “official league data.” Revenue would go to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System, with a portion, not exceeding $2 million, directed to problem gambling awareness.
State Senator Julian Carroll also filed a sports betting bill, calling for a 25 percent tax on net revenue and creating the Kentucky Gaming Commission. Carroll’s bill also would direct sports betting revenue to the state’s struggling pension system.
The legislature is in recess until February 5 and adjourns on March 29.
