Internet Gaming Available, In a Limited Sense
If you’ve casually paid attention to headlines about Internet casinos over the years, you’ve probably heard that Kentucky has been fairly hostile to the idea. This is largely true; strangely enough, however, there is some regulated online gambling in the state. Not surprisingly, the one type of virtual betting allowed here is on horse racing: you can place bets through approved vendors on their websites.
On the other hand, legislators have fiercely opposed regulated Internet casino gaming, leaving overseas sites as the only choice for players. Given how aggressively the state has tried to target even these operators at times, many companies simply choose to stay out of the state entirely, but others have soldiered on and continued to accept customers from here. And with no state laws criminalizing playing real money games over the Internet, many individuals enjoy signing up and playing at the sites that do operate here.
Still, it is understandable why some companies simply won’t do business here. In both 2008 and 2011, the state government filed lawsuits in an attempt to claim domain names from some major online gambling operators, saying that they were operating illegally, and that as such, the state could take the domains under their possession. At least one of those cases was later settled, with the state receiving over $6 million in compensation.
Future May Be Brighter Than It Seems
Such a strong stance may make it seem as though we will never allow for online gambling sites in Kentucky. But a deeper look into the issue reveals that there may be more hope that a quick glance suggests.
First, there is the fact that one of the state’s biggest players has already invested in their Internet operations. Churchill Downs has built up a sizable online platform, saying they want to be ready when and if various states – including Kentucky – set up regulations they can operate under. The company has also been pushing for expanded gaming here, including potentially allowing for machines and other games at racetracks; they have already invested in racinos in other states.
It’s also worth noting that even the relatively strong-armed tactics of the state government can be seen in a positive light. Attacking foreign operators that they believe are acting illegally is something they would also do in a regulated market, and that could potentially lead to a situation where regulators feel as though the state could handle a licensing program as well.
As always, it is the racing industry that is at the heart of the future of all forms of gambling here. State officials have said that their efforts against Internet operators were designed to protect the industry (along with charitable gaming interests), and so a form of online wagering that actively helps Churchill Downs and others might be able to find some traction with legislators. That’s how Internet betting on races was sold, and in the future, it could also be the path to allowing racinos and online casinos to exist as well.
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