Non-profits weigh in on state invoice to higher regulate charitable gaming, sports activities betting and horse racing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Charitable gaming has solely grown up to now few years, changing into a instrument for non-profits to lift extra money for his or her causes.

Now, a invoice that places extra protections in place for these organizations, in addition to sports activities betting and horse racing, is making its manner by way of the Kentucky State House.

Non-profit leaders who use charitable gaming inform WAVE that proper now, there’s quite a lot of confusion within the business about sure guidelines and rules.

House Bill 904 would formally regulate fantasy contests and shield the organizations concerned.

“Charitable gaming’s been around for many, many years, but the difference is, a few years ago, they came out with these newer, more modern games, and people absolutely love them,” mentioned Mike Mulrooney, founding father of Shirley’s Way. “They’re a good fit in local bars and restaurants.”

If you go to a neighborhood dive bar like New View on Outer Loop, you would possibly see gaming machines.

What you may not know is these machines are serving to elevate cash for non-profits, like Shirley’s Way and I Would Rather Be Reading.

“When we first started thirteen years ago, all we could really afford is giving away about a 200 to 300 dollar gas card to help people get to their treatments. Now, with charitable gaming, we’re paying a couple thousand dollars per patient,” mentioned Mulrooney.

“Charitable gaming comes down to helping us keep the lights on and the doors open and our staff paid,” mentioned Allison Ogle, co-founder of I Would Rather Be Reading.

But, rules round charitable gaming in Kentucky haven’t all the time been clear.

H.B. 904 establishes clear pointers, like the place gaming machines are allowed, protocol for violations, and giving licensing powers again to organizations themselves.

“It provides us protections we haven’t had in the past,” mentioned Ogle.

And, the invoice doesn’t simply influence charitable gaming, however horse racing and sports activities betting, too, elevating the minimal age for all of those actions to 21.

“We’re willing to work with the horse racing corporation and help come up with something that would clear up a lot of regulations, really streamline things,” mentioned Mulrooney.

While many non-profits assist the invoice, organizations just like the Family Foundation are skeptical.

The basis launched an announcement that claims, partially:

“If the General Assembly continues to go down the path of more government-sponsored predatory gambling, Kentuckians will continue to pay the price. More gambling will only mean more destructive costs to families and communities across the Commonwealth. It’s past time for the General Assembly to just say no to more unconstitutional gambling expansion.”

But, these in assist of the invoice say it’s probably not in regards to the cash.

“It sounds like a lot of money when you talk about gaming and gambling and things like that, but it’s really about the people and the people that our organizations…that they’re allowed to serve,” mentioned Lori Smith, who represents the Charitable Gaming Association of Kentucky.

HB 904 handed the Kentucky House on Thursday and can now head to the Senate.

WAVE reached out to Churchill Downs for a touch upon the horse racing a part of this invoice and was instructed they don’t have a remark right now.

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