Thousands of predatory gaming machines are popping up in convenience stores across Kentucky without notice, putting our children at risk because there is nothing—no monitoring or policing of age restrictions—prohibiting access to them at any time.

Illegal gaming machines are like a virus, spreading from community to community across our Commonwealth and preying on Kentucky children. Unregulated gaming operations means anyone can operate them without restriction and without oversight.

Often linked to illegal gambling, organized crime, money laundering, robberies and other violent activities, these predatory machines put our communities and our families at risk as they spread like a wildfire across Kentucky.

Other forms of legally established gaming have existed in Kentucky for many years, benefiting our civic and religious communities and our children’s educational opportunities. The proliferation of these illegal gaming machines puts all of that at risk.