Indianapolis Gambling Expansion Bill Sitting On Governor’s Desk

The Indianapolis gambling expansion bill was passed in the last few hours of the 2019 legislative session and is now headed for the governor’s office. Just a few hours before the General Assembly concluded legislative session for this year, lawmakers passed the controversial bill. Now that both chambers have passed it, the final decision lies in the hands of Gov. Eric Holcomb.

The provisions of the bill included the setting up of a new casino in Terre Haute as well as an inland casino in Gary, which made the bill more of a geographical issue rather than a partisan one. This is because the setting up of these casinos will, directly and indirectly, impact the home districts of many lawmakers in Indianapolis.

The bill, known as House Bill 1015 was first passed in the Senate 37-12. 28 Republicans and 9 Democrats supported the bill, while 27 Republicans and 9 Democrats were against it. It came as a surprise to many lawmakers that Rep. Todd Houston, who was the author of the measure, voted no. Houston argued that he decided to press the red button because he believed it was his responsibility to negotiate a final version of the bill that a majority of the assembly will be able to support.

More about the bill

The gambling expansion bill would allow two casinos in Gary to relocate inland near Interstate 94. Currently, these casinos are located in Buffington Harbor. House Bill 1015 also allows the setting up of a new casino in Terre Haute, apart from legalizing sports betting for consumers who are above the age of 21. This includes mobile sports betting too.

If the governor approves the bill, then Indianapolis will have twelve casinos in total (eleven existing and one new), along with two racinos. The bill enables the two racinos which are located in Anderson and Shelbyville to have live dealers by 2020 instead of 2021 (according to current laws), which will make them full casinos. Additionally, the bill also allows casino operators to hold six licenses instead of the previous two.

Spectacle Entertainment, the owner of the two Gary casinos, will be required to pay a total of $20 million over a period of five years as fee for moving the casinos inland. It would also have to give up its second license, for which it will receive tax benefits as compensation.