Kentucky Might Fall One Vote Short for Legal Sportsbooks

• The Kentucky Senate will vote on House Bill 551, a sports betting bill that would legalize online and retail sports betting.
• The bill needs 23 of the 37 Senators to vote yes in order to pass, a 3/5 majority.

FRANKFURT, Ky. – The fate of Kentucky sports gambling will be decided in the Senate Wednesday. Senators are voting on House Bill 551, which would provide the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission the right to regulate collegiate, eSports, and professional sports betting.

Despite advancing out of the House by a vote of 63-34, the Senate proves to be more difficult.

Senate Presents Major Obstacle for Sports Betting

Out of the 18 Democrats in the House of Representatives, only one voted against KY HB 551. The majority of nay-sayers were Republican, with a 46-33 vote from GOP members.

The resistance of House Bill 551 by Republican legislators is concerning for the bill’s success in the Senate. The Senate is comprised of over 75% GOP members, with the party making up 29 of its 37 members.

According to Matt Jones, the Senate voting may fail by one vote.

Here’s the deal on Sports Gambling:

It has passed the House and Governor Beshear will sign it

It must pass the Senate today or tomorrow with 23 of 37 Senators

By my own count there are 22 confirmed Yes and 12 confirmed No. One more yes out of last three and it passes

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 29, 2023

In a tweet that explains the current climate of Kentucky sports betting legalization, Jones claims that “By my own count, there are 22 confirmed Yes and 12 confirmed No. One more yes out of last three and it passes”. For the bill to be approved, it needs 23 Senators to vote yes.

News tags: Andy Beshear | Kentucky | KY HB 551 | Matt Jones