Kentucky Senate President reported $36K in gambling losses

Kentucky Senate President David Williams reported $36,000 in gambling losses
Written by Tom Loftus

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams, who has been the General Assembly's main opponent to the expansion of gambling, confirmed Saturday that he reported gambling losses of about $36,000 during a four-year span a decade ago.

But Williams, a Burkesville Republican who is seeking his party’s nomination for governor this year, said there is no inconsistency between his gambling and his strong opposition to legalizing casinos or slot machines in Kentucky.

“I have never denied that I went to casinos,” Williams said in an interview. “… And I have never said I have a moral problem with anybody who presently does. I just think it's not good public policy to expand gambling in the state of Kentucky.”

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Saturday that a court document, filed in 2003 as part of Williams' divorce case, shows that he reported gambling losses totaling $36,147 from 1999-2002.

Williams 2003 divorce papers show gambling losses of more than $36K in previous 4 years

Williams said he does not see gambling as a moral issue, but rather a public policy issue.

Casinos do not create good jobs and casino interests can be a negative influence in state politics, he said.

He also said that expanded gambling at racetracks takes attention away from the racing.

"I firmly believe that an expansion of gambling is not in the best interest of the people of Kentucky," Williams said.

He said he has long acknowledged gambling, but also said he had not gone to a casino for several years because he disapproves of the greed of the gambling interests and does not want to support them.

For several years, the Thoroughbred industry has pushed for Kentucky to allow slot machines, video lottery terminals or casinos at racetracks.

Opponents have argued that slots and casinos could feed gambling addiction and that gambling is not a good source of money for state programs. Many also oppose gambling on moral grounds.