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WAVE 3 Investigates: The Battle Over Casino Gambling In The Bluegrass
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) -- A hot topic among lawmakers and many religious leaders is the push to bring casino gambling to Kentucky. WAVE 3 Investigator Connie Leonard has the latest.
"We are the horse capitol of the world and we've got to fight to maintain that," says James Navolio, Executive Director of KEEP.
With a full media blitz -- the fight is on. In one corner: "KEEP." The Kentucky Equine Education Project and it's powerful horse industry backers are putting major cash into statewide ad campaign to get casino gambling on the ballot.
And KEEP isn't alone.
"This time. I've had quite a few legislators say they like the idea," says Rep. Denver Butler (D-Louisville).
Rep. Butler co-sponsers a casino gaming bill with Senator David Boswell of Owensboro.
"All I'm trying to do is keep the money in Kentucky that crosses the river now," says Butler.
While KEEP wants to keep the money at tracks, Butler's bill allows for casinos at five race tracks and four other facilities throughout the state. But, they all agree -- let the people decide.
"If we put it out there and the people of the Commonwealth say we don't want it -- then we'll forget it."
In the other corner: Religious leaders who came out swinging last week asking Governor Fletcher for his support. They're joined by a new group calling itself "Say No To Casinos." Together they have two fears -- the ills to society caused by excessive gambling and the money behind "Camp Casino" that they can't compete with if the issue makes it to the ballot.
"Why can't their message sell on it's own? Why do they have to invest so much in mass media?" asks John Mark Hack of Say No to Casinos.
While church leaders can't compete in dollars, they say the have the edge in numbers via their congregations.
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