LOUISVILLE, KY (WDRB) -- Kentuckians want to vote on the issue of expanded gambling, according to a new survey paid for by members of the horse racing industry.
The survey by Garin-Hart-Yang research group polled 612 Kentucky voters, asking them a series of questions related to casino gambling. Eighty-seven percent off those polled said they want to vote on a constitutional amendment. Of those, 64 percent say they are in favor of expanded gambling.
"We think those numbers are pretty encouraging," said Brett Hale, senior vice president of corporate and government relations. "We think that we will take that information down to Frankfort and talk with decision makers. And we think we have a pretty good shot at getting this done."
The issue of expanded gambling has failed twice during Governor Steve Beshear's first term in office. He has recently said one of his top priorities will be to take the gaming question directly to the people of Kentucky.
Horse industry members, including Churchill Downs Inc. and Keeneland, helped finance the survey. When asked whether that presented a conflict, Brett Hale with Churchill Downs said: "We think when you look at the data and look at the way the questions were asked... We wanted to make sure this was an objective survey."
Brett Hale says Kentuckians are going to gamble anyway, so it might as well benefit Kentucky roads, bridges and schools.
But in order for a vote to occur it has to pass the General Assembly. And that could present a challenge. Sen. Pres. David Williams, R - Burkesville, has been a strong opponent in the past and the issue barely cleared the Democratic-controlled House the last time.
"We're going to be very active in opposing any bill," said Martin Cothran, a lobbyists for the conservative group, The Family Foundation.
Cothran's group opposes adding casinos and has threatened legal action.
"Slot machines is the crack cocaine of the gambling world And that attracts a socio-economic class much lower. So we're talking about a redistribution of income from a much lower class to places like Churchill Downs," Cothran said.
State records show that Churchill Downs Inc. has 11 lobbyists registered for the upcoming legislative session that begins Tuesday. The company spent $30,000 between May and August of this year–that's more than they've spent in the same time period in recent years.
"We've always been serious about this but we've certainly stepped up our efforts we think the time is now and we're going to be actively involved to convince others that this is the time to do it," said Hale.
So far, three bills have been pre-filled dealing with horse racing and casino issues. Beshear has argued that expanded gambling could help bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to the state each year.
