FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A invoice to legalize sports activities betting in Kentucky gained House passage on Monday, organising a Senate showdown on a proposal that creates divisions among the many Republican supermajorities.

Past efforts to legalize sports activities wagering within the Bluegrass State garnered House help however died within the Senate. It’s a mirrored image of how divisive the playing concern is within the state that’s residence to Churchill Downs in Louisville, the place the Kentucky Derby is run.

“This does create a regulated marketplace for sports wagering, taking sports wagering in Kentucky out of the shadows, out of the darkness and moving it into the light,” mentioned Republican Rep. Michael Meredith, the invoice’s lead sponsor.

The measure cleared the House on a 63-34 vote, however its prospects within the Senate are unsure, with the next procedural hurdle for supporters to beat this yr. It wants a three-fifths vote in every chamber to go, because it’s a revenue-producing invoice in an odd-numbered yr.

Opponents dug in for the looming battle within the Senate. After the House vote, The Family Foundation mentioned the sports activities wagering invoice represents “a massive expansion of predatory gambling at a time when Kentuckians can least afford it.”

A key supporter of the invoice, Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, mentioned later Monday that it’s “going to be tough” to achieve that increased threshold within the Senate.

“But first thing’s first, I want to try to get it out of committee,” Thayer mentioned in an interview.

After a number of years of arising quick, supporters mentioned it’s time for Kentucky to just accept a type of wagering already out there in most of Kentucky’s neighboring states.

“You literally just have to drive across the county line or cross the river to go take part in their programs.” Meredith mentioned.

The invoice’s opponents mentioned state-sanctioned sports activities wagering would create extra social issues that damage households. Republican Rep. Chris Fugate mentioned: “This is not legislation that Kentucky can be proud of.”

“This is not good for Kentucky,” he mentioned. “It’s not good for families. It’s not good for people. And I really hope and pray we get to see some legislation that will bring jobs into east Kentucky and to the rural parts of this state.”

If legalized, sports activities wagering in Kentucky is predicted to generate about $23 million a yr in tax income, Meredith mentioned.

House Bill 551 would permit Kentucky’s horse racing tracks to be licensed as sports activities betting services for a $500,000 upfront price and an annual renewal price of $50,000. Participating tracks might contract with as much as three service suppliers to offer sports activities wagering companies on the monitor itself, or via on-line websites and cell functions. Service suppliers must pay $50,000 for an preliminary license, with a $10,000 annual renewal price.

Under the invoice, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission would regulate sports activities wagering operations. Revenue generated from taxing such wagering would cowl these regulatory prices. A share of the income would go right into a fund centered on coping with drawback playing. The leftover income after that will circulate into the state public pension system.