Gambling in Kentucky

I have been watching the recent political struggles in our Commonwealth regarding Governor Beshear's desire to increase revenues by expanding gambling for some time. Today, Governor Beshear released his gambling bill which is endorsed by Senator Damon Thayer (R-District 17). In light of the recent controversy, Senator Thayer released this statement on his FaceBook page. I am writing this article in response to Senator Thayer.

Gambling is not directly spoken to in Scripture, and indirectly through stewardship commands we might infer that the act of gambling is sinful. Yet, this is not the most disturbing aspect to this bill. The most disturbing aspect to expanded gambling is that this bill allows government to profit from a social injustice. This bill is a desperate act of an over-spending and money hungry government that is predatory to the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in hopes to fill the state coffers while leaving a wake of devastation. As a pastor, all too often do I hear of ruined marriages and families due to gambling: husbands who take out loans to continue gambling, divorces over the financial straits gambling had placed on homes, and the destruction of whole towns around casinos into poverty. To think that anyone would introduce a bill to allow government and businesses to profit from such evil stands against conscience. The lack of any care for the poor, the forcing of others into poverty, and the view of people as prey for government revenue is altogether appalling.

Senator Thayer's position is simply to bring the issue up for voting by the people of Kentucky. To sponsor a bill is to support its content. Thus, I surmise that Senator Thayer has thought deeply about expanded gambling before signing his name in support of Governor Beshear's bill. I assume that by Senator Thayer's support of the content of the expanded gambling bill he disagrees with my approach toward expanded gambling and my view of the consequences to casinos. However, simply introducing a bill and sweeping its ramifications under the rug of "let the people decide" is outrageous. This is a bill that seeks to restore the horse industry and improve government revenue by what I view as a social injustice. All I ask Senator Thayer to do is state and defend his position in a public debate format.

Hershael York, pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church and a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has concerns to Senator Thayer's occupation which is linked to the speedway as well as the horse industry as a conflict of interest in sponsoring an expanded gambling bill. I believe this to be a legitimate concern, especially in light of my statement above regarding government and businesses profiting from social injustice. If Senator Thayer's business or any of his clients stands to profit from such a bill, then he should step aside and allow someone else to sponsor this legislation. This is a valid complaint which needs to be addressed in a public debate format.

If Senator Thayer disagrees with me and has full faith that this bill is good for the folks of Kentucky and he sees no conflict of interest in introducing the measure, then he should have no trepidations to debate Hershael York on the matter. If what Senator Thayer says is accurate that he does not intimidate easy, then he should have no problems debating the ideas before the people of the Commonwealth on KET's Kentucky Tonight (as requested by Hershael York in the comments of his FaceBook note).

To urge Senator Thayer to debate Hershael York regarding the gambling bill, post a comment on his FaceBook note and send him an e-mail. You may also write to Kentucky Tonight and request to see this debate.