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Beshear Hopeful, Skeptical of Latest Casino Push

Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says he will introduce a constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling when the General Assembly convenes next year. 

Outgoing Governor Steve Beshear has pushed casinos as a way to generate revenue throughout his two terms in office. 

He blames the failed attempts on the Republican-led Kentucky Senate and infighting in the horse industry.

"Many in the horse industry want it limited only to racetracks and they're afraid free-standing casinos will somehow make the racetracks less profitable and there would be less people who would want to go to them," Beshear told WKU Public Radio.

Beshear is hopeful the question of whether to allow casinos will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide in November 2016.  Casino legislation must first clear the Kentucky House and Senate. 

Under Stumbo’s proposal, seven casinos could open statewide and 70 percent of proceeds would benefit education.  Twenty percent would go to the state retirement system, and the remaining 10 percent would go to racetracks.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.