FRANKFORT, KY – Attorney General Russell Coleman announced Friday that the Franklin Circuit Court ruled in favor of the General Assembly's ban on so-called "gray machines."
The Attorney General's Office of Civil and Environmental Law defended the legislation's constitutionality in ARKK Properties v. Coleman, and the court granted summary judgement in the Attorney General's favor in each of the seven issues presented.
"Our legislators took a bold and bipartisan step to protect Kentucky children and families when they outlawed gray machines. After the law was challenged, our Office launched a vigorous defense of the statute and the General Assembly's fundamental role as our Commonwealth's policymaking body," said Attorney General Coleman. "The resounding victory in the Franklin Circuit is a testament to the top-flight work of our attorneys, and I'm honored to work alongside them every day."
In 2023, the General Assembly passed HB 594, sponsored by Representative Killian Timoney (R- Nicholasville) and House Speaker David Osborne (R- Prospect), to outlaw gray machines.
"Today's ruling further confirms that these games were illegal and operating without any of the appropriate regulatory guidelines that ensue public safety and integrity," said Speaker Osborne. "I appreciate the Court's ruling, as well as the work of the Attorney General's Office in defending the duly-enacted laws of our Commonwealth."
The Attorney General's Office of Civil and Environmental Law Executive Director Aaron J. Silletto led the team that defended the law and presented the Commonwealth's case before the Franklin Circuit Court, with assistance on the briefs by Assistant Attorney General Zachary Zimmerer.
Read the Franklin Circuit Court Order.
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