Kentucky Wins! focuses on bringing referendum for expanded gaming to the ballot

Business leaders launch coalition to promote job creation, economic expansion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2013) — A coalition of business and community leaders from around Kentucky announced last week the launch of Kentucky Wins!, a grassroots effort focused on allowing the public to vote on  expanded gaming.

Started by Louisville business leaders Ed Glasscock and Jonathan Blue, Kentucky Wins! is a coalition of men and women from across the state, representing large corporations, small independent businesses, teachers, the equine industry and local cities.

“History has shown that when the business community comes together, things happen,” Glasscock said. “We have five additional co-chairs to help lead this effort as well as a distinguished executive board of over 50 Kentuckians from various backgrounds who share the goal of making Kentucky competitive again.”

By 2015, it is estimated that Kentuckians will export at least $527 million in gaming revenues to casinos in nearby states, generating tax revenues to build roads, bridges and schools in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia, according to a 2011 Spectrum Gaming Group study.

“Kentucky is falling behind its competitor states as hundreds of millions of dollars are spent outside of our borders every year. It is time for our legislature to craft legislation that keeps dollars in our state and funds critical investments without tax increases,” Blue said. “A ballot referendum would allow Kentuckians to vote once and for all to bring expanded gaming to the commonwealth.”

A Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll in 2011 showed that “87 percent of Kentuckians want to decide the fate of expanded gaming in the commonwealth … with a majority of Kentuckians in every geographic region supportive of expanded gaming.”

Expanded gaming in Kentucky would generate over $1.5 billion for Kentucky in the first three years and create over 10,000 new jobs, according to the 2011 Spectrum Gaming Group study.

In the coming weeks, members of Kentucky Wins! will travel around the state to spread the word about the effort. Visit kywins.com for more information.

Kentucky Wins! Board Members

CO-CHAIRS

Jonathan Blue
Ed Glasscock
Joe Craft
Kelly Knight
Robert Evans
Terry McBrayer
Junior Bridgeman

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

Agricultural Commissioner James Comer
State Auditor Adam Edelen
Sen. Dan Seum
Sen.Gerald Neal
Sen. Morgan McGarvey
Sen. RJ Palmer
Rep. David Osborne
Rep. Denver Butler
Rep. Susan Westrom
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

COALITION ORGANIZATIONS

Kentucky League of Cities