DAVIESS CO., Ind. (WFIE) – Soon some of the billions of dollars wagered every year on Kentucky horse races could go back into local governments.

The horse racing betting industry in Kentucky is already taxed.

Right now, most of the money goes towards horse racing research, equine drug testing, or into the state’s general fund.

A bill going through the Kentucky State House proposes to give a portion of the money to local county or city governments with betting locations in order to address the social costs of gambling.

Daviess County Fiscal Court Judge Executive Charlie Castlen says with the opening of Owensboro Racing and Gaming earlier this month, the area stands to benefit from the proposed legislation.

“Gambling can be an addiction for some, it’s not unlike alcohol,” he says. “When we talked to people that provide service in the addiction area, they are concerned.”

As proposed, the bill would take 0.1% of all money wagered on live and historical races and pour it into a local government fund.

This fund can be used for law enforcement retention, homelessness, affordable housing and policing the facilities where betting goes on.

While the county’s new gaming facility has brought excitement, Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman says it also has meant a need for more law enforcement in the area.

“Whether it’s for suspicious circumstances, it could be a disturbance, it could be a car wreck, speeding, traffic, those kinds of things,” he says. “People bring those kinds of things wherever they go.”

Harry Pedigo, Executive Director of St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter says many in their shelter deal with gambling addiction as well.

“What we see a lot of is individuals will kind of get back on track with their life, and then you’ll see them start to gamble and go in places like a casino and buying lottery tickets,” says Pedigo.

County officials say while HB-782 provides a short list of examples money can be used to address the social costs of gambling, it does not set out specific rules for spending.

“It might be a good year before any of the money would actually be handed out as they lay out what the rules are,” says Castlen.

We expect to learn more about that in the future if the bill becomes a law.

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