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Kentucky Racing Industry Wants Slot Machine Vote

CHESTER, West Virginia – As reported by the (Louisville, Kentucky) Courier-Journal: "Kentucky's horse-racing industry plans to ask the General Assembly to put the controversial issue of racetrack slot machines on the November 2004 ballot as a constitutional amendment.

"Speaking yesterday at a gambling conference in West Virginia, Turfway Park President Bob Elliston said the decision to seek to bring the slots issue before the voters is `politically necessary.'

"…Elliston, who served as the industry's spokesman in Frankfort in 2002 and 2003, said he believes the public supports slots. He cited the Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll released in September, which reported that 56 percent of Kentuckians surveyed said they favored slots at the state's tracks.

"Kentucky governor-elect Ernie Fletcher has said that while he is personally opposed to expanded gambling, he would not stand in the way of letting voters decide the issue. Elliston said

"…If a resolution makes it to a vote next November, it would appear on the ballot during a presidential election, when voter turnout is generally higher than in other elections.

"…Kentucky Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, has opposed slots at tracks. During this year's General Assembly, he said he would treat slots legislation as a revenue bill if it cleared the House. It would have needed 23 of 38 Senate votes to pass…"

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