Kentucky native and two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip has endorsed sports betting in Kentucky and House Bill 137. Waltrip's endorsement is featured in a new radio ad from Kentucky Sports Betting Now. The ad will run statewide starting today.

"The truth is, our Commonwealth is falling behind neighboring states on sports betting," Waltrip says in the ad. "They've acted. We haven't."

"That means millions of dollars in revenue that could be going to our state pensions - well, it's going across state lines."

Click here to LISTEN to the radio ad on Twitter.

Kentucky Sports Betting Now earlier this week launched a campaign in support of HB 137, legislation that would legalize sports betting in Kentucky and generate millions of dollars in new revenue for Kentucky's state pensions.

HB 137 would allow sports betting in Kentucky at horse race tracks and the Kentucky Speedway, as well as mobile wagering through online apps.

The legislation would generate $22.5 million in new revenue every year - without raising taxes on Kentucky families - according to a fiscal analysis from Commonwealth Economics. The vast majority of the revenue would go to state pensions, providing a significant boost for teachers, first responders and other state and local government employees.

HB 137 passed the House Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee on Wednesday by a unanimous vote.

Introduced by State Rep. Adam Koenig (R-Erlanger), HB 137 is the only proposed legislation that would generate new revenue for state pensions that has a chance to pass the Kentucky General Assembly in 2020.

Numerous groups from across Kentucky's political spectrum have endorsed HB 137 including:

  • Kentucky Education Association
  • Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater Louisville Inc.
  • Commerce Lexington
  • Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • Kentucky Travel Industry Association
  • VisitLEX
  • meetNKY | Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Kentucky Coal Association
  • Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association
  • Kentucky PVA Association  
  • Kentucky Sheriffs' Association
  • Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters
  • Kentucky Jailers' Association

 

Kentucky Sports Betting Now is active online. Here are links to sites and pages:

 

Website: http://kysportsbettingnow.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SportsBettingKY/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SportsBettingKY