On Friday the presence of video lottery terminals at racetracks in two U.S. states received support when the Kentucky House of Representatives approved related legislation and the governor of Ohio altered his stance on the topic
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Kentucky House approves VLTs
By the margin of one vote, the Kentucky House of Representatives on Friday approved a proposal that would allow video lottery terminals at the state’s racetracks. The House voted 52-45 (with one abstention) in favor of the measure, which needed 51 votes to pass.
The bill must now be approved by the state's Senate. Published reports state that Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) has said that it will not pass the state’s upper chamber.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that at the same time the House was voting on the slots bill, Williams was presenting his proposal to help the horse industry before the Senate budget committee. The proposal would include purses and breeders’ incentives funded by revenue from sources other than slots.
Gov. Steve Beshear issued a statement applauding the House for approving the bill and questioned the Senate’s willingness to consider the proposal, as the special legislative session that began on June 15 could end before the Senate convenes on the issue.
“After a thoughtful debate, the House stood up for Kentucky’s signature industry and its 100,000 jobs and $4 billion economic impact. Everyone got to debate. Everyone had the chance to vote,” Beshear said. “That is the definition of leadership. An issue that is this important deserves the deliberation and vote of everyone. 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?”
(USTA)
Ohio governor will support VLTs at racetracks
Ohio governor Ted Strickland, speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, agreed to support a plan for video lottery terminals at the state's racetracks as a way to generate revenue to help fill a $3.2 billion budget deficit.
The governor had previously been on record as opposing additional gambling as a way to deal with the state's budget issues.
"This has been a difficult choice for me," said Strickland, "but one I believe is necessary."
The plan is technically an expansion of the Ohio Lottery, and the governor said it would not need a vote of the people before implementation.
The Columbus Dispatch reported that the slots plan echoes one proposed by the Ohio State Racing Commission earlier this year, which would place slots at the seven Ohio racetracks, reaping a quick $175 million in licensing fees.
The Commission's proposal, released back in March, called for the Ohio Legislature to approve the installation of 2,000 video lottery terminals at each of Ohio’s racetracks. That proposal estimated that VLTs would enrich the state by $195 million in the first year, 2010, and predicted that the proceeds will grow to $310 million, $460 million, and $626 million over years 2011 through 2013.
Published reports stated that a coalition of bar and restaurant owners also wanted VLTs in their businesses, after local option votes, producing what they said would be $83 million in one-time fees and $50 million in recurring fees, and up to $1.2 billion in revenue for Ohio schools. According to the Dispatch, the governor rejected that proposal.
(USTA)