Casino Owners In Indiana Come Up Short Of Gambling Expansion

Lawmakers may have been satisfied with their efforts to keep the gambling issue out of this past session in order to deal with the budget, but casino and track owners were not. It is the casinos and tracks that will now feel the effects of the lawmakers non-action.

What did come out of the session was an order from lawmakers for a comprehensive study on the issue of gambling expansion. Calling for a study is politicians' way of stalling when they do not want to deal with an issue until the next session.

"It will be an opportunity for legislators to really look in depth at some of these things," said Mike Smith, President of the Casino Association of Indiana, "It will be taking a look at the broad picture of gaming in Indiana and how we're going to be in a position to be competitive."

While Smith understood the need for the study, some lawmakers were not as impressed with the tactic. Senator Earline Rogers was one of those who felt the legislators could have done something this session to help out the casinos and track owners.

"I still regret the fact that we weren't able to do as much for my community," said Rogers. She believes that the tracks cannot afford to wait until next session to receive their help. Several proposals had been offered to legislators, but they were delayed until next session.

July 4, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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