Newport mayor challenges legislation to get casino in N.Ky.

NEWPORT, Ky. - A new casino may be under construction in downtown Cincinnati, but a Northern Kentucky mayor is lobbying for another casino to be built across the river.

Newport, Ky., Mayor Jerry Peluso says he wants Newport to have a casino and that he is willing to challenge new Kentucky casino legislation.

Under the new legislation, there would be a casino at every race track and only two stand-alone casinos in the state. However, those stand-alone casinos would have to be more than 60 miles from the nearest horse track.

That prevents Newport and other Northern Kentucky cities from getting casinos because of its proximity to Turfway Park in Florence.

Peluso says he’s working with state lawmakers to try and get the bill changed.