Special Election May Affect Gambling Legislation LEXINGTON (WEKU) -

The head of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association says a special election in December could set the atmosphere in the 2010 General Assembly session. Proponents of expanded gambling would see a win by the democratic candidate as a big step forward.

Thoroughbred Association Director David Switzer worries out-of-state interests, such as the corporations which own Indiana's casinos, will make large contributions to Kentucky's anti-gambling forces.

"I'm talking about Penn National Gaming, who's put 39 million dollars into the initiative in Ohio right now. They put 39 million in two years ago to defeat it. That's just one gaming company and we're going to have to compete against six river boat companies," Switzer said.

The December 8th special election will select a replacement for former Senate majority floor leader Dan Kelly, who is now a circuit judge.

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