“Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.” – Proverbs 16:8
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While Kentucky is no stranger to gambling, in 2023, the Kentucky General Assembly passed the largest-ever expansion of government-sponsored predatory gambling when it “legalized” sports betting. Since that time, the predatory gambling industry has wreaked havoc at unprecedented levels on Kentuckians and their families, with calls to Kentucky’s problem gambling hotline having more than doubled in volume.
Gambling is not as harmless as some have touted, saying it is simply a “good time.” The reality is that gambling addiction is just as serious as any other addiction, whether it be to opioids, heroin, or cocaine. Heartbreakingly, the addiction to gambling carries with it the highest suicide rate of any addiction.
These facts are why The Family Foundation has long opposed the expansion of predatory gambling. In order to protect, love, and care for our fellow Kentuckians, we must continue to diligently oppose the predatory gambling industry. Sadly, just last week, House Bill 904, an unconstitutional expansion of gambling that “legalizes” fixed-odds wagering, was given final passage in the Kentucky House.
Make no mistake about it, expanded gambling in Kentucky only means one thing: expanded destruction for Kentuckians and their families. In recent years, the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling reported that up to 165,000 Kentucky adults reported gambling problems. Nationally, the top demographic calling gambling addiction helplines is now young adults and teens. The statistics of growing gambling addiction among young people is devastating, especially among young men. Roughly 10% of young U.S. men now show signs of a gambling problem, more than three times the general population rate.
As HB 904 now resides in the Kentucky Senate, the Senate needs to remove HB 904’s fixed-odds language and move forward a bill without any further gambling expansion. Thankfully, the bill is not a total loss as it does raise the gambling age to 21 and prohibits some harmful forms of “prop” bets. The Kentucky General Assembly needs to put its foot down and say no more to unconstitutional expansions of gambling, as the predatory industry is already wreaking havoc on Kentuckians.
LET US PRAY…
Father, empower the Kentucky General Assembly to see the destruction that the gambling industry is wreaking on Kentuckians and say no more to it. Lord, convict and move the Kentucky Senate to remove HB 904’s fixed-odds language and move forward a bill without any further gambling expansion. Father, help Your people to realize that gambling is an unwise use of the resources that You have blessed us with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.