Kentucky Misses Out On Sports Betting For NCAA Tournament
- Kentucky doesn’t pass sports betting legislation
- The state could have added an emergency clause in time to place NCAA bets
- Kentucky sports betting law may be passed in time for next year’s NCAA tournament
LOUISVILLE, Ky – The NCAA tournament is a battle of some of the best of teams in college basketball. A few of those teams are often from Kentucky as well. These teams test their skills game-by-game to see who will win the college basketball national championship. There’s a lot of opportunity for basketball teams in the tourney, but what about the sports bettors?
There may be high-level competition for the basketball teams, and large sums of money to be made for the NCAA as well, but the State of Kentucky will see none of that. Kentucky did not pass any sports betting legislation in time for the NCAA tournament, so they won’t be making any money from the games. Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Morgan McGarvey was not happy about it.
“I would like all those people excited about the NCAA tournament to think about the millions of dollars Kentucky’s going to lose this year because we didn’t pass sports gaming in the General Assembly,” said McGarvey.
The only option that would have allowed sports gambling for the tournament was if Kentucky had passed the sports betting bill at the start of the session. They would have been able to add an emergency clause to it that would go into effect instantly, which would have allowed sports gambling in time for the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, this is not the case and Kentucky will miss their chance on sports betting revenue during March Madness.
Sports betting in Kentucky may be on the backburner for now, but there’s a good reason to believe it will make another appearance later down the road. John Ramsey, the co-host of the Ramsey and Rutherford talk show on 790 KRD, had his own thoughts on sports gambling in the Blue Grass State.
“Now you can do it over your phone,” said John Ramsey. “and you’re going to do it anyway, so why not have the state of Kentucky benefit?”
One of the prime destinations for talented basketball players coming out of high-school, Kentucky is bursting at the seams with high-level players. This year’s crop of talent may do big things in the tournament. This era is prime with great players that will in-turn make great games for viewers.
“For 17 years in a row, Louisville is the highest rated TV market for college basketball,” said Ramsey. “so again, now is the time and it’s only the third time in history that we’ve had four teams in the tournament.”
As March Madness comes upon us, many in the state are clamoring for Kentucky sports betting. A basketball state like Kentucky could bring in great revenue for the various needs in the area. Lawmakers will need to decide what to do, but they’ve got plenty of time to pass a bill for the next go-around. Kentucky may miss out on sports betting for the NCAA tournament, but next year opportunity awaits for the Blue Grass State.
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