Kentucky to Legalize Sports Betting in 2019

October 20, 2018 Kim Morrison

Kentucky could be the next in line of US states to regulate sports betting on its territory.

As we expect the next wave of sports betting legislations, the question that is asked these days is: who will lead the new group of states into 2019 by legalizing this branch of iGaming?

Mobile Wagering Planned

Lawmakers and solicitors from the state of Kentucky have been having meetings with gaming representatives and operators for a round of discussions regarding legalization of sports betting next year…

…They plan to come up with competitive tax rates as well as launch mobile wagering right away. A bill needed in order for this to be regulated has already been proposed by Dennis Keane, the Representative. If ed, it will require the state’s official regulatory body, Kentucky Lottery Corporation, to establish the sports betting system.

It will either be Kentucky Lottery Corporation’s or Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s responsibility to oversee the sports betting industry in this state. As Legal Sports Report claims, Brendan Bussman, Global Market advisors director of government who was at the meeting, demanded strong regulations and integrity monitoring systems to be put in place by the state officials.

Integrity Fee – Yay or Nay?

Since no states that have so far legalized sports betting have included integrity fee in their bills, Kentucky was supposed to go down the same route. However, the questions about the possible inclusion of integrity fee have been asked…

…The idea was discussed as several professional leagues in the US would like to gain some profit via this fee. Lobbyists pressing for this idea have been attending talks with Kentucky officials.

One of the people who are pro-integrity fee is Senator Morgan McGarvey.

“I think it shows Kentucky is serious about ing sports betting. They wouldn’t be spending the money on all of these lobbyists if we didn’t have a chance at ing a bill. I’ve already met with one of the lobbyists from the PGA. It’s good to get their opinions, it’s good to get their thoughts on this because they have dealt with it in other states and in other countries.”

He added that it is his opinion that one thing that makes sports betting unique in this state is that it does not have any professional teams. Which is why he was willing to hear what leagues have to say. “My goal is pretty simple: the Supreme Court made this legal, (so) let’s not have Kentucky the last state to do something.”