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Gambling Issues Will Be Among Topics of Indiana's General Assembly 2007 Session

Gambling is a major issue for the opening of Indiana's General Assembly 2007 session. Four months before the opening of the session, many of the speculators and assembly watchers thought that the main issue the legislators were going to tackle would be property taxes, school funding or the proposal of Governor Mitch Daniel's projects, like the Central Indiana toll highway and the changes in the taxes for cigarettes to benefit health insurance. However, as of January 14, 2007, the issue of gambling games is expected to be one of the main topics in the session.

House Speaker Pat Bauer from South Bend, restarted discussions regarding allowing slots in the racetracks around the state. He did not ensure that the proposal would be heard because that decision would be left to the committee. However, Bauer did say that it is just the right moment for legislators to decide on the fate of the horse racing market. On the other end, Senate President Pro Tempore David Long of the Republican Party from Fort Wayne has been firm in his view that it is high time that the legislators take action on the unlawful video gambling machines that are rampant in many of the state's bars and parlors.

Long is also bothered by the issue because the closing of some bars in Fort Wayne has just resulted in the transfer of video machines to shops and grocery stores in the area. He said that he does not care if the state allows the video machines, in relation to the permit that the beverage market is currently lobbying, or even finds a way to reject them. Senate Appropriations Head, Bob Meeks of the Republican Party from La Grange, has been a staunch supporter of allowing video machines for a very long time, but sentiment has been somewhat mellowed by the fact that former Republican Senate Leader Bob Garton has been against it. However, he no longer holds the position, since he has been replaced by Senate President Long.

Regarding the planned privatization of the Hoosier Lottery by Governor Daniel, he believes that the lottery could rake in as much as $1 billion from private equity companies with the revenues of the lottery in 2006 just around $200 million. Many legislators and political watchers commented that Governor Daniel's proposal would only work if the private equity firm is permitted to widen the variety of games the lottery features.

Nonetheless, the Hoosier Lottery is already permitted to offer Keno, a speed-based game that permits players to bet on the digits that are hand drawn and displayed on wide screens. This game can be located in bars and other establishments in the area. The Hoosier Lottery has never offered Keno before because many legislators are still hesitant to embrace the idea. Nevertheless, none of these developments mean that the gambling law will be passed in the General Assembly.

The Senate is still composed of conservative members who are hesitant to embrace the idea and are critical of any form of gambling. Even though there are some legislators in both the Congress and the Senate that support the measures, it may not be enough to push for a gambling law.

 

Wednesday, January 17 , 2007
Brian Letendre