The Kentucky House of Representatives has approved House Bill 904, which aims to reform sports betting in the state by raising the legal betting age from 18 to 21. Sponsored by Republican Representatives Michael Meredith and Matthew Koch, the bill garnered support with a significant 79-15 vote and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Key proposals in House Bill 904 include increasing the minimum age for sports betting to 21 and prohibiting proposition bets on athletes who compete for Kentucky colleges. Meredith emphasized that this measure would help minimize the risks of bribery or harassment towards student athletes. "It would also ban prop betting on in-state collegiate athletes, those who play for Kentucky teams. This would take away any incentive for bribery or harassing a player for not meeting a goal," he stated.
In addition to regulating sports betting, the bill seeks to bring fantasy sports contests under the licensing and taxation authority of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. It also proposes a taxation framework for prediction markets, pending future legal authorization from federal courts.
The legislation suggests legalizing fixed-odds wagering on horse racing, an option that is currently limited in Kentucky. It also calls for the creation of a task force to study oversight practices for charitable gaming activities in the state.
Currently, some sports betting operators impose limits on customers’ winnings, but HB 904 would prohibit this practice, preventing bookmakers from enforcing bans on large payouts. Furthermore, the bill includes a measure to bar individuals with over $1,000 in child-support arrears from placing sports wagers until their debts are settled. The attorney general’s office would maintain a list of these delinquent payers to aid gaming regulators and operators in enforcement.
The swift passage of HB 904 through the House is notable, especially considering there are only seven legislative days left in this year’s 60-day session. This development reflects strong momentum for the bill, although its final enactment remains uncertain.
