Posted: Thursday, March 04, 2010 4:28 PM

As chairman of a Kentucky Senate committee, Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) plans to introduce added-gambling legislation to help the state’s Thoroughbred industry next week.

In January, Thayer said he planned to file a bill to allow Instant Racing, machines that show historic races and have been ruled to be a form of pari-mutuel wagering in Arkansas.

Thayer is poised to move forward on the proposals as chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

“I will offer a series of proposals to implement a targeted package to assist the horse industry,” Thayer said. “I look forward to my colleagues in the Senate voting on this important legislation which will soon be considered by the committee.”

Kentucky Republicans favor putting expanded gambling issues, such as adding slot machines, before state voters. Thayer said his research indicates more than 80% of Republicans favor voting on a constitutional amendment to expand gambling as opposed to having the General Assembly implement it.

Instant Racing could prove to be a compromise.

During the current session in the Kentucky House, Representative Harry Moberly Jr. (D-Richmond) has proposed a bill that would allow Instant Racing and games of skill. Games of skill are similar to slot machines but include some decision-making on the part of the player.

Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville), who last year opposed House legislation that would have allowed video lottery terminals at Kentucky tracks, told the Louisville Courier-Journal he believes Instant Racing could be added without a constitutional amendment. He does not support games of skill.

Last year, the Kentucky House passed a bill that would allow VLTs at racetracks, but it failed to advance out of committee in the Republican-controlled Senate.