Representatives of the Video Game Coalition—made up of the Indiana Amusement and Music Operators Association, Indiana Licensed Beverage Association, Indiana Bowling Centers Association and others—have met in Indianapolis to plot strategy and have held informational sessions throughout the state to educate legislators and the public about the benefits of allowing video gaming terminals. The group has drafted legislation to legalize VGTs in bars, VFW and American Legion posts, bowling alleys and truck stops.
Lobbyist Bill Smythe said, “Basically what we’re trying to do is create revenues for local businesses and local communities through VGT’s, which they have done in Illinois very successfully. We’re trying to mirror that effort. They’re up to almost 22,000 machines now generating almost a billion dollars in revenues, which nets the state about $300 million.” Illinois legalized the games in 2012 and the Indiana group claims they have caused Indiana casino revenue to decline.
The minimum bets on the machines would be $2 with a maximum payout of $599, Smythe said. He stated the games generate revenue for businesses as well as for the state.
The drafted by the group failed in the last legislative session but has been rewritten for the coming one. Smythe explained, “We adjusted our bill last session to accommodate for 80 percent of the taxation to be applied to road infrastructure and of that, half goes to the state and half goes to local communities. It’s really as simple as that, there’s going to be a tax or they can use the revenues generated from this.”
So far no legislators have publicly stated they would sponsor the group’s bill.
