Kentucky, the state that is trying to seize over 140 online gambling domain names, is now looking to expand its own gambling industry during these tough economic times.

Newly elected House Speaker Greg Stumbo said yesterday that he will not call a vote on a bill to expand gambling unless he has support from at least 60 of the 100 House members.

Unlike some previous attempts to expand gambling, the bill would not amend the state constitution but would make the slot machines part of the Kentucky Lottery.

But skipping the amendment route, which would require a statewide referendum, could put some House votes at risk.

"Our racing industry is in jeopardy and we need to act now -- and this is to me the most feasible approach," Stumbo said.

For years, tracks have said that expanded gambling in other racing states provides richer purses and breeding incentives that have put Kentucky's racing industry in jeopardy, the Courier Journal report states.

Stumbo was unable to provide an estimate of how many members support his plan.

Last year Gov. Steve Beshear unsuccessfully advocated up to 12 full casinos that would have produced up to $600 million a year for the state.

The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, which is fighting the commonwealth's attempt to seize online gambling domain names owned by its members, believes this is yet another display of how Kentucky is doing whatever it can to protect its own interests at the expense of competition.

iMEGA founder, Joe Brennan, Jr., told Gambling911.com Friday: "This one makes it clear Kentucky is violating the commerce clause of the US Constitution in its attempted seizure of the 141 domain names. As he's said many times in his public comments, Beshear is acting to protect Kentucky's in-state gambling interests, apparently now even those that do not yet exist."

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher