By Rick Howlett
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-858788.mp3
Louisville, KY – The Republican from Burkesville was the speaker at today's (Thursday's) Rotary
Club of Louisville luncheon.
Democratic Governor Steve Beshear and the racing industry have been trying to
push a bill through the General Assembly that would allow expanded gambling
at horse tracks. The most recent legislation failed to clear a state Senate
committee this year.
Williams says the people who are most likely to play slots at Churchill Downs and
other tracks are those who can least afford it.
it's going to hurt the people in the west end of louisville. it's going to hurt people
in the south end of louisville, the very areas that you're talking about going into the
schools and helping those folks. there are not very many people in prospect
that are going to play those slot machines, there are not very many people that
go to the homes where they have home-a-rama are going to go down there
and play those slot machines)
Officials at Churchill Downs and other Kentucky tracks say slots revenue is critical to their
future, as they're unable to compete with facilities in states where casino games
allow them to offer higher racing purses.