Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, February 26, 2015
(STATEHOUSE) - A bill to let riverboat casinos move inland and let racetrack casinos add live dealers has overwhelmingly passed the House, despite qualms from the state’s top leaders.
Governor Pence and House Speaker Brian Bosma have said they'd consider live dealers at the racinos an expansion of gambling, and Senate President David Long says there are concerns live dealers could siphon business from other casinos.
LaPorte Representative Tom Dermody, the bill's author, says that can't be legislators' focus. Dermody and Long both say Indiana casinos need a hand to fend off competition from casinos in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Dermody says getting rid of requirements that riverboats comply with nautical regulations is "just common sense."
And Gary Representative Charlie Brown says moving the gaming boats onto dry land will stimulate nearby development that didn't happen when the boats were permanently moored on water.
The bill includes a 10-percent tax credit for casinos to add restaurants or other non-gambling amenities.
The bill passed the House 75-18.
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