Senate committee votes to outlaw slots from the Kentucky Lottery

Mark R. Chellgren

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2000 | 8:55 a.m.

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A Senate committee today voted to make sure slot machines and video games are never offered by the Kentucky Lottery without the General Assembly specifically allowing them.

Lottery President Arch Gleason said the lottery has no intention of offering slot machines without permission of policymakers like the governor and legislature. But he said he would prefer restrictions short of a change in the law, which could hamper the lottery from keeping up with changes in attitudes and technology in the future.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Russell, would also prohibit the lottery from offering "interactive" games of chance. Gleason said that restriction is especially troubling because of emerging technology.

In the future, it might be possible to buy a game from a lottery retailer, take it home and play it on a personal computer and return it to collect winnings. "Does it prohibit it? I'm not sure," Gleason said after the Licensing and Occupations Committee unanimously approved the bill. "But that's the kind of thing we might have to get specific legislative approval of."

Gleason and the lottery board have long believed that existing laws could allow the lottery to offer slot machines, video lottery terminals and other electronic gaming. But they have also said they would not do so without direction from the Capitol.

For a time, casinos or casino-type games seemed a likely prospect to be raised during this session. And legislators are still skittish at the prospect.

Rep. Denver Butler, D-Louisville, the chairman of the House committee that would consider the legislation if it wins approval by the full Senate, said lawmakers want to put some boundaries on the lottery.

"It doesn't give them the freedom to roam," Butler said today. "It sort of puts a fence across the road.

"At least it would take the decision to the people who represent the people instead of someone who's looking at declining sales," Butler said.