FLORENCE — A Lexington-based conservative organization has launched an anti-gambling lobbying effort, even as the final compromise over a gaming bill is being hashed out in Frankfort.

        The move is another sign that the battle over legalized gambling in Kentucky, debated mainly in the media and behind closed doors, is about to be fought in the open.

        The Family Foundation, a group active in politics and policy that bills itself as “a nonprofit educational organization dealing with issues affecting Kentucky families,” will focus on defeating gambling legislation.

        The bill in question is expected to be filed within a week and would legalize casino-style video gambling in Kentucky.

        The effort will be led by former Republican state Rep. Stan Cave of Lexington, a lawyer who left the General Assembly in 2000 after serving four terms in the House.

        The Family Foundation is also stepping up its lobbying efforts in Frankfort, hiring a second lobbyist to work with Martin Cothran, the foundation's senior policy analyst and longtime legislative lobbyist.

        “I think Kentuckians have an instinctive understanding that the decision to expand gambling will change the very culture of this state, and will have deeply negative economic and social consequences,” Mr. Cave said.

        The Family Foundation joins the Kentucky Council of Churches in opposing the effort to expand gambling.

        “We're working with legislators to craft the final bill,” said Bob Elliston, president of Turfway Park in Florence. “There will be a lot of people (sponsoring) the bill, with supporters from both” the House and the Senate.

        The thoroughbred racing industry wants the legislature to allow the installation of video slots known as Video Lottery Terminals, or VLTs. The electronic machines replicate poker, blackjack, bingo, keno and other games of chance.

        The industry says it needs gambling to compete against riverboat casinos in Indiana and Illinois and against racetracks in West Virginia, Delaware and other states that offer VLTs and other forms of gambling.

        Kentucky tracks including Turfway and Churchill Downs in Louisville have seen wagering and attendance fall by nearly half since riverboat casinos began opening in Indiana in 1996.

        Mr. Elliston and other racing industry representatives met Friday with a group of lawmakers that included House Floor Leader Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg.

        Mr. Stumbo has previously talked about sponsoring a bill that would not only allow for video slots at tracks but also land-based casinos.

        Mr. Elliston, however, said he does not anticipate casinos as part of the final legislation.

        “This whole effort is to restore the prominence of Kentucky's signature industry,” Mr. Elliston said. “It's not just about gambling.”

        Proponents of gambling have picked up an advocate. The Kentucky League of Cities, which has about 350 member cities across the state, has endorsed video slots at racetracks.

        The thoroughbred industry is counting on the dismal state of Kentucky's budget — shortfalls are predicted for at least the next four years — to help convince lawmakers to consider a new form of revenue.

        Projections from PricewaterhouseCoopers, hired by the racing industry to analyze the financial impact of gaming on Kentucky, indicate video slots at the state's eight horse tracks would generate about $919 million a year, Mr. Elliston said.

        About $300 million a year could be returned to the state.

        Mr. Cave said he believes a majority of Kentucky residents don't want gambling no matter how much money it generates or where the money goes.

        “Nothing could be more disruptive to the commonwealth that the introduction of casino-style gambling, whether it is limited to the horse tracks or not,” he said.

Special senior takes the court tonight
R&B legend Smokey Robinson to boycott
PULFER: Losing Cosby
RADEL: Civil War research
Some Good News
WELLS: Showing the flag
Air fares rebound along with demand
Fox blasts 'knucklehead' referendum drive
Ohio puts wager on Big Game
Slain woman feared harm from husband
Tight time line to settle racial profiling suit
Alum's return is a homecoming
Boehner officially in race
Shooting range has folks up in arms
Steroid charge reduced
Avondale off-duty patrols nearer
Byrd appeals to U.S. high court
Killer's fate debated
Mardi Gras '02 praised
Ambulance crash attracts scrutiny
Company to create up to 50 high-tech jobs
Constructing new future
CPS planning college prep high school
Enron seen as a spur for reform
Group opposes gambling bill
Kids find comfort in military books
Local retailers, customers see dollar signs in the Big Game
School survey data debated
Sewer deal may hit $1B
Shift seen to annexing hospital site
Sorrento owner must go to court
Tristate report
Upgrades will delay openings