FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Casinos could be built in Kentucky under a
proposal that received a thumbs-up from a Senate committee on
Wednesday.

The State and Local Government Committee voted 7-4 after hearing
testimony from the state's leading casino proponent, Democratic
Gov. Steve Beshear.

Beshear has been pressing lawmakers for a constitutional
amendment that would allow Kentuckians to wager on more than horse races, which is a longstanding tradition in the Bible-belt state.

Wednesday's vote was the first on the issue since lawmakers
convened in early January. The measure now goes to the full Senate
for consideration. If approved there, it then would have to be
approved by the House before being submitted to voters.
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The legislation is Senate Bill 151.

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