Opponents of gaming in venues outside of Kentucky with historic horse racing equipment have welcomed the passage in the Kentucky Legislature’s House Bill 594, which bans devices in the state called ” gray game”.
Gray games have popped up at a number of Kentucky bars and restaurants in recent years, with owners calling them games of skill attracting customers to their businesses and rivals. consider them illegal casino games.
Two years ago, the legality of slot machine-like HHR devices was also called into question before the state passed language amending the state’s racing and gambling laws to make it clear that HHR was legal.
HB 594 is now delivered to the desk of Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who is expected to sign it.
There are enough votes for the legislature to override the veto if he refuses. It passed the Senate, June 29, in a vote on March 14.
Racetracks in Kentucky, which have amassed huge profits from HHR, are among a number of races against the gray game, as are many equine industry groups, such as the Kentucky Horse Education Project. . Revenue from HHR is the cause of benefits for wallet races, leading to more investment in the industry.
“Getting this bill to the finish line has been an incredible effort and KEEP is grateful to the legislators who supported the bill through the committee process and voted through it in the House and Senate.” KEEP announced in a statement.
