State Senate Committee May Vote on Casino Bill

A Senate committee could vote Wednesday on a proposal to legalize casinos in Kentucky.

The Senate State and Local Government Committee has the issue on its agenda for a noon meeting, and Gov. Steve Beshear's office says he will testify.

Beshear has been pressing lawmakers for a constitutional amendment that would allow Kentuckians to wager on more than horse races, which is a longstanding tradition in the Bible-belt state.

If lawmakers approve, the proposal will be placed on the November ballot for voters to ratify or reject.

Wednesday's vote would be the first on the issue since lawmakers convened in early January. If it passes the committee, it still has to make its way through the full Senate and House.