{"id":47594,"date":"2021-02-12T16:19:22","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T16:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=47594"},"modified":"2021-02-15T16:36:47","modified_gmt":"2021-02-15T16:36:47","slug":"online-poker-bill-delayed-in-kentucky-status-in-other-states-updated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/online-poker-bill-delayed-in-kentucky-status-in-other-states-updated\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Poker Bill Delayed in Kentucky; Status in Other States Updated"},"content":{"rendered":"
The launch of legalized online poker<\/strong> in Michigan<\/strong> gives many players some hope of more to come. Several states have seen movement in that direction in recent weeks with varying hopes for success.<\/span><\/p>\n Players in Kentucky will at least have to wait another year to see any legislation move forward. State Rep. Adam Koenig<\/strong> (R) introduced a bill in January that would legalize online poker and casino gaming.<\/span><\/p>\n However, recent legislative needs regarding the casino industry have put iGaming on the back burner, Koenig told USPoker<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n A recent state supreme court ruling on the state\u2019s historical horse racing<\/strong> (HHR) games have left legislators scrambling. HHR games function like slot machines<\/strong> but results are based on actual horse races from the past.<\/span><\/p>\n The court recently ruled that the machines don\u2019t meet the state\u2019s definition of parimutuel wagering<\/strong>. That means thousands of machines in the state are technically illegal.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBetting on HHR slot machines has grown 463 percent<\/strong> in the last five years, and will total approximately $3.6 billion<\/strong> this year,\u201d the Lexington Herald Leader<\/em><\/a> notes. \u201cThat\u2019s three times more than Kentuckians will buy in lottery tickets, and twice what is bet on the lottery and live horse racing combined.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That makes online poker an afterthought and Koenig says he\u2019s hoping to bring back the issue next year. The legislative session is short and HHR games have taken priority.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis bill is on hold while we deal with a state supreme court ruling on our historical horse racing machines,\u201d Koenig said. \u201cUntil that is settled no action will occur on my bill.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cAlthough always hopeful, given we have already gone through 11 of our 30 days we can be in session, it will be a heavy lift to get it across the finish line this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After resolving the HHR issue, Koenig feels the iGaming bill will have a better shot at passage. With 4.5 million<\/strong> people, Kentucky could add a decent player pool to the growing US online poker market.<\/span><\/p>\n Indiana isn\u2019t the only state considering online poker as a larger effort at legalized gaming \u2013\u00a0including sports betting. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont<\/strong> (D) also seems amenable to iGaming expansion.<\/span><\/p>\n Any effort would have to navigate gaming stakeholders like the state\u2019s two Indian tribes<\/strong>, the lottery, and off-track betting<\/strong>, according to Online Poker Report<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n Lamont previously expressed opposition to online gaming, but state revenue after the pandemic may have changed that.<\/span><\/p>\n Lamont recently expressed support and a bill<\/a> has been introduced to legalize online gaming. That would include sports betting and iGaming, which would probably also include poker.<\/span><\/p>\n The bill names the Mashantucket Pequot<\/strong> and the Mohegan<\/strong> tribes as the only online casino and sports betting operators. That would be \u201csubject to new or amended agreements with the tribes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The tribes operate the states only casinos in the state \u2013\u00a0Mohegan Sun<\/strong> and Foxwoods<\/strong>. <\/span>On Wednesday, Lamont included $50 million<\/strong> in iGaming revenue in his 2022-23 budget and expressed his support for legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur neighboring states are moving forward with sports betting and iGaming,\u201d Lamont said a budget address to the general assembly, \u201cand Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Connecticut has a population of 3.6 million<\/strong>. That would mean a small pool of players, but a decent addition to interstate compacts. There remains plenty of governmental heavy lifting however.<\/span><\/p>\n The Senate Judiciary Committee<\/strong> in North Dakota<\/strong> recently approved a ballot initiative legalizing online poker. <\/span>The proposal would then need a majority of votes in both halves of the legislature before going to the voters.<\/span><\/p>\n Next the proposal would need a majority of voters to approve. Rep. Jim Kasper<\/strong> (R) has been one of those leading the efforts at legalization.<\/span><\/p>\nSlot-like games supersede Kentucky online gaming including poker<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Online gaming gains traction in Connecticut<\/span><\/h2>\n
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North Dakota statewide election considered<\/span><\/h2>\n