A man who believed his political career was over has won the governorship of Kentucky, and he may have done it by supporting the legalisation of casinos. In 1987 Steve Beshear, a Democrat and son of a Baptist preacher, lost out to fellow Democrat Wallace Wilkinson, who was elected on his promise to create a state lottery. This time round it was Beshear who campaigned with a plan to put around 10 casinos at racetracks and along the Kentucky border.

In November 1988 more than one million Kentuckians voted on the lottery referendum and the measure was passed. Just over one month later the lottery legislation was signed by the then Governor and the Kentucky Lottery came into being as the first United States lottery to be implemented as a corporation. In the financial year to July 2007 the Kentucky Lottery reported a record-breaking year with scratch cards reaching highest ever levels. The Commonwealth received US$196.2 million in proceeds, the second highest level in the lottery’s history.

Proceeds from the lottery provide money for educational programmes and a General Fund that pays for a wide variety of projects to benefit Kentucky residents. Since 1989 the lottery has added over US$2.5 billion to the state treasury. Beshear’s casino plan, if approved in a ballot referendum, is likely to add around US$500 million annually in extra revenue that could be spent on education and health care. Beshear seeks to provide health coverage for some 81,000 uninsured children in Kentucky.

The landslide victory of Beshear over incumbent Governor Ernie Fletcher has made the possibility of Kentucky casinos one step closer. Fletcher campaigned vigorously against casinos, including spending almost half his campaign budget on television commercials and advertisements opposing casino gambling.

The next hurdle for Beshear will be to persuade the General Assembly, including the Republican controlled Senate, to approve a constitutional amendment to put the casino issue on the ballot. From yesterday’s vote it appears that the majority of people in Kentucky are ready to bring casino entertainment, and its subsequent benefits, to their state. (E-11.07.07)

© Copyright 2007 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage