The bill, HB 106, was introduced on the opening day of the 2023 state legislative session and seeks to allow online sports betting, daily fantasy gaming and poker statewide.
The legislation would seek to legally define several common terms related to gambling, such as adjusted gross receipts, entry fee, rake and stake, and many more. Other new sections include details related to online poker and fantasy contests, as well as amending and expanding existing legislation to include sports betting and updating existing laws to fit their purpose
Republican Al Gentry told a local outlet: "People literally walk across the border, park, place bets on the phone, and that tax revenue goes from this state to other states."
Kentucky is currently one of the most limited states when it comes to what is available to those who wish to gamble. The state does not have commercial casinos, tribal casinos, card rooms, gambling, retail sportsbooks (etc.). However, it does have instant racing terminals at the racetracks and betting is allowed at the racetracks on the horse racing product.
Where do people from Kentucky place sports bets online? Kentucky borders seven states, of which 6 have legalized mobile sports betting. Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Illinois offer bettors the opportunity to place mobile sports bets, where Missouri is the only one that does not.
"If we legalize sports betting and in the same way as before, it would be run by the horse racing commission and generate, we believe, north of $20 million a year for the state in tax revenue."
