Kentucky Slot Machine Ban Upheld in Court

Supporters of Kentucky's ban on slot-like "grey machines" celebrated a legal victory. On Friday, Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd upheld the 2023 law, dismissing claims that it violated the state constitution. The ruling supports the permanent deactivation of these cash-paying video games.

Attorney General Russell Coleman highlighted the Legislature's role in banning "grey machines," deemed illegal and unregulated. House Speaker David Osborne agreed, reinforcing the games' illegality. Opponents, calling them legal "skill games," argued for regulation and taxation instead. Plaintiffs may appeal the decision. The ban was one of the most debated measures of the 2023 legislative session, with significant lobbying efforts on both sides.