Kentucky’s charitable gaming is moving toward a more defined, regulated and sustainable future
The Kentucky General Assembly has passed House Bill 904, a comprehensive update to the Commonwealth’s gaming laws that strengthens oversight, increases transparency and reinforces the role of charitable gaming in supporting communities across Kentucky.
The legislation, often referred to as the “Wagering Consumer Protection Act,” modernizes Kentucky’s gaming framework while introducing new safeguards to ensure responsible operations and accountability.
What the bill does
House Bill 904 includes several key provisions impacting charitable gaming:
1. Strengthens oversight and accountability
- Expands licensing, inspections and enforcement authority
- Requires trained, paid chairpersons to oversee operations, including background checks
- Shifts toward more professional, consistent management of charitable gaming
2. Updates how charitable gaming operates
- Continues the moratorium on new licenses, limiting market expansion
- Raises maximum payouts from $499 to $1,499
- Protects existing gaming technology, including electronic pull tabs currently used by charities
3. Restructures operations to keep nonprofits in control
- Eliminates “middleman” arrangements
- Charities must directly manage their locations and operations
- Includes a transition period so current operators can adjust without losing licenses
4. Adjusts fees (with safeguards)
- Raises caps on potential licensing and regulatory fees (from $300 up to $1,000 and $5,000 in certain areas)
- Does not automatically increase fees
- Any changes must go through a formal regulatory process, including public input
5. Enhances player protections and standards
- Raises the minimum age for participation from 18 to 21
- Reinforces consumer protection and responsible gaming measures
A resolution also calls for the creation of a task force to study charitable gaming rules in depth and report recommendations back for the 2027 legislative session.
What’s next
The bill passed the full Senate and received concurrence from the House on April 1, 2026. It now goes to the desk of Governor Andy Beshear.
The Governor may:
- Sign the bill into law
- Allow it to become law without signature
- Issue a veto
If enacted, state agencies—particularly the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation—will begin implementing regulations and guidance to operationalize the law.
What it means for Kentucky communities
Charitable gaming is more than entertainment—it’s a vital funding source for nonprofits serving veterans, people with disabilities, families with young children and communities in need across the Commonwealth. House Bill 904 strengthens that impact by reinforcing integrity, transparency and accountability across charitable gaming operations.
Play for Purpose KY extends its appreciation to the Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee Chair Matthew Koch, Representative Michael Meredith and members of the General Assembly for their leadership in preserving charitable gaming in our state.
We remain committed to working with policymakers, nonprofit partners and industry leaders to ensure this funding model continues to deliver meaningful, measurable results for Kentuckians.