Gamblers at Kentucky race tracks would be able to put their money on more than horses under a measure that's made it halfway through the state legislature. House lawmakers approved legislation Friday that would allow Kentucky's tracks to install video gambling terminals that offer casino-style games like slots and poker. The measure, which passed 52-45 after some four hours of debate, has been touted as a means to bolster a struggling horse racing industry and to stimulate the state's faltering economy with additional construction money. It now heads to the Senate where its prospects for passage appear bleak. Gov. Steve Beshear applauded the House vote, saying the lawmakers have stood up for Kentucky's signature industry. "An issue that is this important deserves the deliberation and vote of everyone," he said. "Now the question is will the Senate give everyone in its chamber the same privilege -- an up-or-down vote on an issue of such importance to our Commonwealth?" Senate President David Williams said the legislation lacks the support it needs to pass in his chamber, and he is offering a proposal to funnel money to the state's horse tracks through a surcharge on lottery ticket sales in the state. It was unclear whether the measure passed by the House will even be called for a vote in the Senate, though it's sponsor, House Speaker Greg Stumbo, joined the governor in calling for one. "If this bill becomes law, you will not only save the signature industry of this state, you will provide thousands of jobs across this state in what will the most comprehensive economic stimulus package," he said. "You'll see people go back to work." Beshear called lawmakers into a special session on Monday to address a projected $1 billion budget deficit. He included the gambling proposal on the agenda, saying it could generate about $300 million a year for state coffers, a portion of which will be used to leverage construction bonds to pay for some $1.1 billion worth of school upgrades. State leaders have debated for years whether Kentucky, a state with a long tradition of betting on horse races, can offer casino-style gambling at the tracks. Opponents argue that the state constitution specifically forbids casino-style gambling. Proponents contend a previous constitutional amendment to allow a state lottery opened the door. Beshear called on lawmakers to approve the legislation that would help the state's signature industry and to ensure that Kentucky doesn't surrender it's title of Horse Capital of the World. Twelve other horse racing states -- including neighboring West Virginia and Indiana -- allow bettors to wager on video gambling machines, slot machines or other casino-style games at the track, according to the American Gaming Association's 2009 State of the States report. Antigambling groups contend backers of the Kentucky measure "bought votes" from lawmakers with promises of school construction projects in their districts. "Today, we saw political corruption at its finest," said David Edmunds, a policy analyst for the Kentucky Family Foundation, a Lexington-based group that opposed the measure. "We know that school construction jobs were held over the heads of legislators who normally would not vote for this measure." The legislation is House Bill 2.
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