EKB News

Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas D. Wingate says he will decide before the end of the year whether to allow Kentucky racetracks to offer betting on races that have already been run. The tracks say revenues from the wagers would improve purses at Kentucky tracks. On Tuesday, the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, the Revenue Department and the eight racetracks in Kentucky argued it is legal to allow such betting, but a conservative advocacy group, the Family Foundation, said it is illegal and is nothing more than video slot machines. The state and the tracks filed a request for a legal ruling on the matter in July after the racing commission approved new rules to let the tracks install games such as "Instant Racing," an electronic form of gambling with many similarities to slot machines. Both sides indicated they are likely to appeal the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court if they lose.