Indiana’s poorest performing casino, in the southeast corner of the state, wants to move. A bill to allow them to relocate to northwestern Indiana couldn’t get a vote this session.
But lawmakers are advancing a bill, SB 43, to study the idea.
The legislation directs the Indiana Gaming Commission to hire an independent research firm to assess the top three regions in the state where a casino could move. The study would include projected revenue and the impact on the state’s other casinos, tourism and the horse racing industry.
Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) criticized the proposed study as too narrow.
“We should have an honest look at the gaming revenue that we receive — whether it’s from the horse tracks, whether it’s the sports betting, whether it’s the on-the-ground casinos — and, at the same time, be looking at what we’re doing in the charitable gaming space,” Brown said. “Because it’s getting broader and broader.”
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Other lawmakers, like Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis), are already planting a flag for the study’s outcome.
“If the purpose of gaming is revenue, why there is not a casino in downtown Indianapolis defies my understanding,” Freeman said.
The Senate approved the casino relocation study measure 33 to 16, advancing it to the House.
Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
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