For four years, he tried and failed to get the legislature to approve casino gaming in Kentucky, and now newly re-elected Governor Steve Beshear is ready to try again.

Speaking before the annual convention of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Beshear said, “We are still in tough times, we still have too many people out of work, we still have too many families who are suffering.”

One of his remedies for the problem is the introduction of casinos. But Beshear is reluctant to battle again with a divisive legislature.

“It is a much easier vote for everybody if we put the question on the ballot and let people in the state vote on it,” says Beshear.

Beshear has been stymied by Senate President David Williams over his first term in office. But Beshear beat Williams handily in the governor’s race last month, so he may now have the upper hand.

Beshear says he’s open to any bill that would legalize gaming, including one that designates stand-alone casinos, as long as racetracks are included.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.