The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released this statement following the the launch of a citizen advocacy campaign in support of HB 606:
KEEP applauds the Kentucky House of Representatives for advancing HB 606, legislation that would legalize sports wagering in Kentucky. As the bill moves to the Senate, KEEP has launched a citizen advocacy campaign in support of Senate passage of the legislation.
KEEP and Kentucky's horse industry have been actively involved for the past several years in advocating sports wagering legislation that protects the role of Kentucky's signature industry in the landscape of wagering options and provides additional revenue for the state.
HB 606 accomplishes this by allowing for sports wagering to be offered in-person at Kentucky's racetracks. Additionally, sports wagering will be governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, a testament to the trust that wagerers place in Kentucky's horse industry.
Overall, this bill will benefit Kentucky's horse industry and community by offering new revenue sources for the industry, as well as attracting new fans to the sport through the in-person experiences at Kentucky racetracks.
KEEP provides an easy tool for citizens to send messages to their Senators in support of HB 606. The tool can be accessed through this link, or by visiting www.horseswork.com/advocacy.
Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization commented, “Nearly all of Kentucky's neighboring states have legalized sports wagering and sports wagering is already occurring illegally in Kentucky at a substantial level. It is our responsibility to regulate it for the consumers and to use it to provide additional revenue for the Commonwealth.”
ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky's signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
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