House to discuss gambling
bill
By Jason Tomcsi
Staff
Writer
Patrons of the riverboat casinos throughout Indiana
may not have to wait for scheduled cruises for much longer.
A bill that would legalize dockside gambling was
approved Monday by the Ways and Means Committee. The second reading
of the bill by the House of Representatives is expected today and amendments
may be removed or added to the bill, according to Sheila Klinker, D-27th.
Dockside gambling would mean the riverboat casino
would remain docked and visitors to the casinos could come and go as
they please. Illinois has allowed dockside gambling since July 1999.
"Neighboring states have all looked into it or
they are doing it," said Klinker
Sue Scholer, R-26th, said dockside gambling is
needed to maintain Indiana's position in the gaming industry and for
it stay on the competitive edge.
Klinker agreed that it will help Indiana remain
competitive and it will also give Indiana more funding when the state's
budget is tight.
"We need to be competitive and since we are going
through a tough time, those dollars are needed," said Klinker.
The Casino Association of Indiana worked with Crowe
Chizek and Company, a public accounting and consulting firm, on an analysis
of the Indiana Riverboat gaming industry. The analysis looked at the
status and the potential fiscal effects on Indiana's gaming industry.
It also looked at the competition with neighboring state riverboats.
According to the analysis, the state of Indiana
has received an excess of $1.589 billion in gaming taxes since 1995.
The analysis also shows the gains that the state will receive are estimated
at $81.6 million per year if the riverboats go to dockside gambling.
Cheryl DeVol-Glowinski, executive director of the
Casino Association of Indiana, said, "the bill should be passed because
the gaming industry has performed in the legal boundaries that the state
has set and they have delivered on all the promises that they have made."
The money that will be received will go toward
property tax relief, pensions and programs such as Build Indiana, which
helps with construction projects throughout the state.
"Build Indiana has helped with the building of
Wabash Landing and other projects in Tippecanoe County," said Klinker.
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