Video gaming terminal (VGT) legislation was introduced in January but ultimately died in the Committee on Public Policy. However, new efforts to expand VGTs have begun in the Hoosier State, but it has already received backlash from anti-gambling expansion advocates.
Not in My Backyard
Discussions regarding relocating a casino from Rising Sun to New Haven are back on the ledger in Indiana, and so too is the expansion of video gaming terminals. The latter is a cause of concern for a Republican City Council member representing southwest Indianapolis by the name of John Bain.
“This proposal threatens the quality of life for families in my district by turning community gathering places into de facto casinos, where gambling could replace family-friendly activities. These changes risk increased addiction, underage gambling, and the erosion of our neighborhoods,” Bain said.
The legislation seeks to expand VGTs and e-pull tabs into pubs, truck stops, and lounges throughout the state. The bill submitted earlier this year called for a 30% tax on adjusted gross gaming and would bolster an already lucrative revenue stream.
“I urge members of the Indiana General Assembly to reject this harmful expansion,” Bain commented. “We must protect our communities and keep our local spaces safe for families. The last thing we need is casino-style gaming invading places where we should be fostering connection and community. Let’s keep Indiana’s communities strong and say no to this unnecessary expansion.”
Another form of gambling, mobile sports betting, has been an unmitigated success since launching in October 2019, and November saw the industry’s biggest month in Indiana, posting a record-breaking handle of $614 million, which generated over $68.5 million in adjusted gross revenues on an 11% hold or win rate by the mobile sportsbooks.
New Haven Casino
Full House Resorts wants to move its casino license from Rising Sun to New Haven, Indiana, and State Senator Andy Zay, R-Huntington, is the man who intends to file that legislation. Last year, Full House paid $3.7 million to the government for its fair share of income generated, but that amount would pale in comparison to the projected $53 million the company would pay to the state per annum once Phase 1 of its $500 million casino is completed.
However, State Senator Zay believes the plan only works if it has the support of the residents of New Haven and its mayor, Steve McMichael. “For my style of legislating, I’m going to support the locals every day of the week,” Zay said. “It’s not something Mayor McMichael has stepped into lightly. It’s something he’s taken the time, researched, and followed through. I’m happy to support Steve. I think it’s a great opportunity, a great investment for northeast Indiana.”
Zay was quick to point out that Full House has not asked for any tax increment financing or tax abatements, which is standard operating procedure from developers on projects of this magnitude.
However, there has already been pushback, and one of the most vocal critics is Senator Tyler Johnson, R-New Haven, who said, “I don’t have a short-term outlook on this. I have a long-term outlook on my community, and I want to weigh the risks and benefits quite a bit. There’s definitely some social impact that can’t be ignored from traffic patterns all the way down to addiction. There’s a lot of concerns I’ve waded through over the past few months.”
