By RICK YENCER
ryencer@muncie.gannett.com
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INDIANAPOLIS -- A plan to privatize the Hoosier Lottery won't be the only game of chance considered by the Indiana General Assembly next year.
The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association will again push to legalize Cherry Master video gaming machines -- found in bars, restaurants and retail outlets -- in bills sponsored by Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, and Sen. Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee.
And Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, will carry legislation to add slot machines at horse tracks.
Those were some of the initiatives discussed by state gaming officials and representatives of licensed beverage and casino interests during a legislative seminar Thursday.
Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, outlined several gaming investments and initiatives, with the biggest investment coming from the recent opening of Indiana's 11th casino, in French Lick, with $382 million spent to restore the landmark resort.
Indiana's riverboat casinos also are making sizable investments, adding hotel rooms and renovating casinos.
State horse-racing interests also will be back at the Legislature wanting slot machines and pull tabs, although Gov. Mitch Daniels indicated Thursday that he would not support any expansion of gambling.
Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, said legalizing video gaming would not constitute an expansion of gambling, given that many Hoosier bars, clubs and even retailers already have them.
"They largely go unchecked," said Klopfenstein, although state excise has been cracking down, recently arresting Yorktown man John Neal on video gambling-related charges.
Bars in Delaware and other counties have found their liquor licenses in jeopardy from having the machines. After three violations, a bar or restaurant owner could lose their license to sell alcohol, Klopfenstein said.
The latest Cherry Master bill would limit for-profit businesses to five machines and non-profit fraternal groups to 10. They would be taxed and regulated by the state gaming commission.
A 2003 study found the machines could raise nearly $300 million a year to help fund the state budget.
Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, said he was willing to look at legalizing Cherry Masters, but was not in favor of expanding gambling.
Lewis Coulter, a former ILBA president and owner of several local bars and restaurants, said Delaware County's recently imposed smoking ban had already hurt local restaurant owners, and that bar patrons still wanted the machines and pull tabs for entertainment.
"If you don't give people what they want, they won't come in," Coulter said.
Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, said gaming issues always were discussed but their passage was never certain.
ryencer@muncie.gannett.com
Post Comment
INDIANAPOLIS -- A plan to privatize the Hoosier Lottery won't be the only game of chance considered by the Indiana General Assembly next year.
The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association will again push to legalize Cherry Master video gaming machines -- found in bars, restaurants and retail outlets -- in bills sponsored by Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, and Sen. Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee.
And Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, will carry legislation to add slot machines at horse tracks.
Those were some of the initiatives discussed by state gaming officials and representatives of licensed beverage and casino interests during a legislative seminar Thursday.
Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, outlined several gaming investments and initiatives, with the biggest investment coming from the recent opening of Indiana's 11th casino, in French Lick, with $382 million spent to restore the landmark resort.
Indiana's riverboat casinos also are making sizable investments, adding hotel rooms and renovating casinos.
State horse-racing interests also will be back at the Legislature wanting slot machines and pull tabs, although Gov. Mitch Daniels indicated Thursday that he would not support any expansion of gambling.
Brad Klopfenstein, executive director of the Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, said legalizing video gaming would not constitute an expansion of gambling, given that many Hoosier bars, clubs and even retailers already have them.
"They largely go unchecked," said Klopfenstein, although state excise has been cracking down, recently arresting Yorktown man John Neal on video gambling-related charges.
Bars in Delaware and other counties have found their liquor licenses in jeopardy from having the machines. After three violations, a bar or restaurant owner could lose their license to sell alcohol, Klopfenstein said.
The latest Cherry Master bill would limit for-profit businesses to five machines and non-profit fraternal groups to 10. They would be taxed and regulated by the state gaming commission.
A 2003 study found the machines could raise nearly $300 million a year to help fund the state budget.
Rep. Dennis Tyler, D-Muncie, said he was willing to look at legalizing Cherry Masters, but was not in favor of expanding gambling.
Lewis Coulter, a former ILBA president and owner of several local bars and restaurants, said Delaware County's recently imposed smoking ban had already hurt local restaurant owners, and that bar patrons still wanted the machines and pull tabs for entertainment.
"If you don't give people what they want, they won't come in," Coulter said.
Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, said gaming issues always were discussed but their passage was never certain.