The Democratic candidate for governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, has unveiled a proposal to broaden wagering opportunities within the state. Should he be elected, he intends to make commercial casinos, sports betting, and internet gambling legal.
Beshear’s strategy would leverage the tax income generated from expanded gambling to bolster the state’s public employee retirement system, which would positively impact educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and social workers. He also indicated that the supplementary tax revenue could be allocated to local services, such as healthcare facilities, without necessitating an increase in local taxes.
At present, Kentucky only permits gambling on horse racing, dog racing, and charitable games like the state lottery.