United States v. Commonwealth of Kentucky

Pending6th Cir.CFTC v. State

Last updated August 16, 2026. Snapshot — not legal advice.

Overview

The United States (through the DOJ) and the CFTC sued Kentucky (filed June 23, 2026) to block state enforcement — its ninth suit against a state and, notably, the first against a Republican-controlled state, signaling the campaign is not partisan. The complaint names the Commonwealth, Governor Andrew Beshear, Attorney General Russell Coleman, the Revenue Commissioner, and the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, and targets the state’s 14.25% excise tax. Pending. (Caption + docket confirmed against the CFTC complaint PDF: E.D. Ky. No. 3:26-cv-00049.)

Timeline

June 2026

CFTC sues Kentucky to block state enforcement.

What's next: Pending.

Parties

Plaintiffs

  • United States of America (Department of Justice)
  • U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Defendants

  • Commonwealth of Kentucky
  • Andrew Beshear (Governor)
  • Russell Coleman (Attorney General)
  • Thomas B. Miller (Commissioner, KY Dept. of Revenue)
  • Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation
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