LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Commission is being sued by three non-profits in relation to their order to disable all gaming machines produced by two manufacturers.
The order came after KHRG said their office found multiple instances of illegal ‘fishing’ activities, resulting in the theft of tens of thousands of dollars. As a result, all machines manufactured by LNW Gaming, Inc. and Creative Game Technologies, LLC were ordered to be shut down.
Three non-profits, Shirley’s Way, Southwest Center for Developmentally Disabled, and Educational Justice, claim that the order punishes victims and not the perpetrators of the ‘fishing’ activities and has stopped charitable fundraising across the state ahead of a critical fundraising weekend.
A press release detailing the lawsuit also lists the following organizations as working with the three complainants to contest the order: Mains Quinlan VFW – Augusta; Ryle Band Bingo – Union; Maysville Moose Lodge; Seneca Past and Present – Louisville; American Legion Post 342 – Willard; Options Unlimited – Shepherdsville; Green River New Beginnings Sexual Assault- Owensboro; I Would Rather Be Reading – Louisville; Be Concerned, Inc – Covington and Florence Elks – Florence.
The release goes on to say that charitable gaming was the primary source of revenue for food assistance, disability support, cancer aid, and more for hundreds of Kentucky non-profits.
WAVE News spoke to Shirley’s Way during the weekend prior to the lawsuit being filed, where they confirmed nearly all their money was raised through charitable gaming.
According to the release, charities reported the following losses as a direct result of the shutdown:
- Loss of more than 3,500 meals that would have gone to school children in Jefferson County
- Canceled financial assistance for cancer patients, putting families at risk of losing their homes, apartments, and utilities
- Cancellation of a major Christmas Toy Drive serving families across Jefferson County
- Inability to continue the development of affordable, accessible housing for adults with disabilities
- And many additional community losses that cannot yet be fully measured
The lawsuit argues the order is unlawful, threatens charitable organizations across the Commonwealth, goes beyond the commission’s authority, and imposes unapproved regulations.
The suit is seeking the court to declare to shutdown order void and unlawful and to issue ‘immediate injunctive relief’ which would allow charities to continue lawful gaming.
WAVE News has reached out to KHRG for comment but has not yet heard back.
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