Beshear is hoping his support of casinos will lead to increased support. It’s a path his father Steve Beshear \u2013 the 61st governor of Kentucky \u2013 also took, though casino legalization never became a reality.<\/p>\n
\n
A poll conducted late last year by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy found that Beshear would win against Bevin 48 percent to 40 percent. Thirty-one percent of poll respondents said they have a “favorable” opinion of the attorney general, 23 percent said “unfavorable,” and 39 percent said “neutral.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
When it comes to casinos, Beshear’s stance has plenty of detractors.<\/p>\n
“To talk about an unrealistic proposal that he knows doesn’t have a chance passing, I think, is not being truthful to the people of Kentucky,” state House Minority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins (D) told the Associated Press<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Bevin’s campaign manager added, “Voters won’t roll the dice” on such suggestions as Beshear’s.<\/p>\n
Support Growing<\/b><\/h2>\n
Despite the longstanding opposition to casinos across Kentucky, supporters like Beshear seem to be increasing. The state remains one of just 10 in the US that doesn’t have commercial or tribal casinos.<\/p>\n
\nFormer Kentucky Auditor Adam Edelen explained, “We have to be careful not to just make promises to people because they’re easily consumed. Expanded gaming is a no-brainer, but we haven’t been able to get it done in Kentucky. And putting all our eggs in that basket seems \u2026 to be an irresponsible gamble.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Edelen voiced his concerns, but added that allowing casinos to come to Kentucky is the “right thing” to do.<\/p>\n
Gambling isn’t a cure-all solution to the pension problem. The current retirement system is facing $39 billion in unfunded liabilities in the coming years. Beshear estimates casinos could deliver the state $546 million in annual tax revenue.<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the interim, a sports betting bill that would allow oddsmakers to set up shop at the racetracks passed a House committee last month<\/a>. However, the Kentucky General Assembly adjourned its 2019 Regular Session without voting on the measure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Andy Beshear (D) believes the path to the state’s economic prosperity runs through a casino floor. The state’s current attorney general, Beshear is one of four Democrats vying to run against incumbent and presumed Republican candidate Governor Matt Bevin (R) in this year’s election. Asked this week about how the state might […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":103365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,14577],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Kentucky Gubernatorial Candidate Wants Commercial Casinos Legalized<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n