Despite the lack of a floor vote, supporters say they have enough votes to pass a bill expanding sports wagering in Kentucky.
The announcement comes after Governor Andy Beshear based part of his two-year budget on revenue gained from sports wagering.
House Bill 137 passed through a House committee in the opening days of the legislature on a unanimous vote, but it has not been called on for a vote in the full House floor.
Beshear estimates that Kentucky will gain $14 million in the first year and more than $22 million per year onwards.
On Thursday, the governor was joined by Republican sponsor Adam Koenig, members of the Democratic leadership, other lawmakers and several business and economic groups to tout support for the measure.
Koenig has said he has the 51 votes to pass it in the House and after yesterday’s comments from Senator Thayer, Koenig is extremely hopeful.
The real question now is whether or not it will pass through the Senate intact.
But Beshear and others say Kentucky is one of the few states in this region that does not allow sports wagering, and Kentuckians are traveling to spend money.
“We are surrounded by Indiana that’s legal,” said Koenig. “Tennessee will be legal, probably in a few months, Illinois will be legal in a few months.”