Kentucky Supreme Court declines to reconsider HHR ruling
The Kentucky Supreme Court denied Thursday a request to reconsider its September ruling that the states slot-like “historical horse racing” does not constitute pari-mutuel wagering.
The September ruling overturned a 2018 Circuit Court ruling that allowed tracks to operate the machines. The Supreme Court said then that the machines must stop operating, though it did not give a cutoff date.
The Kentucky General Assembly could pass legislation allowing the machines, but the Republican-controlled legislature is notorious for opposing expanded gambling.
Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is in favor of legislation to allow HHR as well as sports betting. State Senate President Robert Stivers earlier this month indicated that he might support HHR legislation, saying it should take precedence over sports betting, as Casino.org reports.
The machines pump millions into Kentucky's horse-racing industry, which accounts for about 80,000 jobs and generates about $3.2 billion annually to the state's economy.
Amid the uncertainty, Kentucky tracks have put expansion projects on hold.
Read more about the issue in these two in-depth HRN reports:
- Kentucky crisis: Loss of HHR money could cripple racing
- Kentucky crisis: Impact of losing HHR could go beyond the track