Betting on sports in Kentucky is close to becoming lawful.

And according to recent surveys, a 65% of Kentuckians support such a move.

The American Gaming Association estimates that in the Bluegrass State, a little over $1 billion is wagered on sports every year and legally through offshore companies or through local bookies.

Republican Representative Michael Meredith, House Bill 551 creates a regulated marketplace for sports betting.

I don't stand here to debate anyone's morals or their religious convictions, and I've said that over and over again about this bill.

But again, we know this is happening in the marketplace already, either illegally or just outside the boundaries of our commonwealth.

And so I think it's smart that we regulate this as a state and provide a structure where folks know what is happening in the marketplace and know it's safe under the under the purview of the Kentucky Horse Racing Committee.

Thank you.

Who has a proven record of placing wagering.

Sports betting is expected to bring about $23 million in tax revenue to the state.

That money would be used for administration costs, problem gambling and to help the state's public pension funds.

Here is what else it would do.

The state's nine horse racing tracks can be licensed to offer retail and online sports betting, but have to pay an upfront initial license fee of $500,000 with a $50,000 annual renewal fee.

Horse racing tracks can contract with up to three service providers like FanDuel or DraftKings for onsite betting or through mobile apps.

Tampering with the outcome of a sporting event would result in a Class C felony.

Sports players wouldn't be able to wager on games they play in.

Violating that rule would be a Class A misdemeanor.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission would regulate sports wagering and licensing.

Now, opponents testified that legalizing sports betting normalizes gambling for kids would bring more corruption to sports.

It preys on the poorest citizens, furthers addictions and comes with other real social costs.

And unfortunately, these social costs are only amplified when we're talking about online sports and video game betting being made on already highly addictive cell phones, online sports betting puts casinos in the pockets of millions and has already led some states to report a tripling of gambling addiction problems.

And make no make no mistake, despite any attempts to protect children from this highly addictive form of gambling, commercialized sports betting harms children and radically changes the way that children view sports.

The high frequency of deceptive ads by gambling operators serves to normalize gambling for kids leading kids to believe that gambling is central to playing and watching sports.

Expanded gambling preys on poor people.

It's often the poorest people of our communities who are most vulnerable to the slick advertisement in the promise that the DraftKings, who put out the dual fans will put out about get rich quick.

They oppose it because they recognize that it's highly addictive.

Some say it's as addictive as is alcohol or or drugs or smoking.

In the past, you had to go to a certain venue to place a bet.

You had to go to a casino or a horse track or somewhere else.

But with this, the legalization and the creation of a framework of sports gambling, you will have the possibility of having a casino in your pocket.

Digital devices are already very addictive to children and other people as well.

And for these reasons, come with the Policy Center is opposed to House Bill.

Thank you for your testimony.

Six of the seven states bordering Kentucky already allow sports betting.

The Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee approved the bill 9 to 1, and it now awaits action by the full Senate before it can be sent on to the governor's desk.