Gambling Bill Close To Clearing Senate Committee

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Governor Steve Beshear’s casino gambling amendment has the support of at least five of the six senators needed to approve it in the State & Local Government Committee and send it to the Senate floor. Georgetown Republican Damon Thayer, the chairman of the committee and the sponsor of the bill, has said he will hold a hearing on it next Wednesday, assuming it is assigned there. Senate leaders have said it will be, and Majority Floor Leader Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said he expects that could happen Thursday. The bill would allow up to five racetrack casinos and up to two at free-standing locations that are not within 60 miles of a Kentucky track.