Horse Racing Commission to become independent agency; Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — With horse racing in the spotlight and the Kentucky Derby a few weeks away, a bill aimed at changing how the industry works passed earlier this week by lawmakers.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will regulate different aspects, as an independent body.

“Senate Bill 299 will combine all three legal areas of gaming in Kentucky, under one Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, very similar to the model used by the Kentucky Lottery Corporation,” says, Senator Damon Thayer, who sponsored the bill.

The bill changes the future of horse racing in the Bluegrass.

“It will have para-mutual betting, sports betting and charitable gaming all under one board and one management and it will provide for more autonomy and independence from the whims of politics for are these very important industries,” he adds.

The independent agency will be called the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

Governor Andy Beshear vetoed this bill, but lawmakers overrode the veto earlier this week.

“As we keep giving the racing commission more and more responsibility, and it has to hire more and more employees with more and more money flowing in and out of there. I just thought it needed to have more independence and not subject to the whims of politics,” he said.

Senator Thayer says the board members, have to be confirmed by the state senate, and then be subjected to the executive branch ethics commission.

Thayer is the senate majority floor leader.

The inspiration is to be the best.

“There’s going to be a higher level of integrity and scrutiny coming to our horse racing industry, we are the industry leader. We are the horse capital of the world we have the best year round racing circuit. In North America, we have the best horse breeding operations and industry in North America. And now there’s going to be a higher level of integrity to protect that to make sure that we retain our position is horse capital the world horse racing and gaming sports betting charitable,” added Thayer.

SB 299 will also dissolve the state department of charitable gaming next year.

Thayer adding that for now he is excited to be at the 150th Kentucky Derby.