Despite setbacks this week, Gov. Steve Beshear says expanded gaming is not dead yet.
On Monday, the Senate Republican majority caucus held off on a casino gambling amendment because it lacked the votes needed to clear the Senate.
Beshear told reporters Wednesday the issue remains a “work in progress.”
"I'm not discouraged because I expect it to be an uphill climb, particularly in terms of getting the votes that are needed for a constitutional amendment in the Senate. We're going to keep working with Sen. Seum and others over there to see if we can put that together," he said.
Louisville Republican Sen. Dan Seum is the sponsor of the Senate Bill 33, which would legalize expanded gaming at seven locations and funnel 10 percent of gross gaming revenue into an Equine Excellence Fund.
Senate and House leaders have each expressed frustration at the lack of action in the opposing chamber.
Constitutional amendments require a three-fifths majority – or 23 votes – to pass the Senate.