The Kentucky General Assembly Thursday evening became the first in the U.S. in 2023 to approve a legal sports betting bill when the Senate voted, 25-12, to send a digital wagering bill to Gov. Andy Beshear for his signature. The vote was quick and decisive and capped a five-year effort spearheaded by former Rep. Aaron Koenig, who lost his re-election bid last November but was present.
The Senate voted on legal wagering on the final day of the 2023 session, and not before bill sponsor Rep. Michael Meredith knew that he had the votes in place for passage. The House of Representatives'approved sports betting, 63-34, on March 13, and since then'HB 551 has been making a steady march through the Senate.
Should Beshear sign the bill, Kentucky could have up to 27 digital platforms tied to nine horse racing tracks and would require in-person registration for the first 12 months. In-person wagering would also be allowed, and each track could have one brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
While the Senate was passing sports betting, its peers in the House legalized access to medical marijuana for those who have a qualifying condition. According to the bill, which originated in the Senate, the state’s medical marijuana program won’t be available until 2025.