Bill to keep HHR legal in Kentucky set for introduction

Kentucky state senator John Schickel said in a press release from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce that he will be co-sponsoring a bill to keep historical horse racing machines legal in the state.

“This effort is about preserving a system of wagering we’ve known for live racing for decades and historical horse racing for the last ten years,” Schickel said. “This is about maintaining the status quo. Our immediate action as legislators is critical to protecting current and future jobs and economic development across the Commonwealth.”

The bill comes after a ruling in September by the Kentucky Supreme Court that many of the state’s machines do not constitute pari-mutuel wagering and were therefore not allowed.

The ruling was met with immediate consternation from the racing industry, as funds from the HHR machines are one of the main economic drivers of live racing in Kentucky, with the potential impact of its loss including the closure of three of the state's five Thoroughbred tracks in Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and Turfway Park.

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According to the statement, Senator Robert Stivers will be another of the bill’s co-sponsors. Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts noted the economic impact of HHR to the commonwealth.

“We applaud Chairman Schickel, President Stivers, and all those working on this legislation to help one of Kentucky’s signature industries,” Watts said in the release. “This bill will provide certainty for many Kentucky businesses and employees relying on the success of the horse industry to make a living and feed their families, and we ask all legislators for their support in this effort.”

The question now becomes whether the bill, which Schickel said would receive a hearing in the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee meeting on Thursday, will pass through Kentucky’s notoriously anti-gambling legislature.

While gambling bills traditionally receive the full support of Kentucky’s Democrat minority and Gov. Andy Beshear, the Republicans have split on the issue in the past, resulting in stalled efforts to legalize sports gambling. Several Republicans in the legislature, including representatives Matt Lockett, David Hale and Chris Freeland have all received contributions from a member of the Family Foundation, a conservative organization that brought the original lawsuit against HHR.

However, before the legislative session, multiple Republicans said they were cautiously optimistic that such a bill would pass, including Sen. Maj. Leader Damon Thayer and Rep. Adam Koenig.

“Pari-mutuel wagering, even if it looks different than standard pari-mutuel wagering, is easier to stomach for some than a new method of gambling like sports gambling,” Koenig said before the session.

The Kentucky Legislature’s current session must end before March. 30.