Indiana state Rep. Tom Dermody, who oversees gaming legislation in the House, said he plans to meet this summer with residents who have a stake in gaming. Dermody said the meetings will help him gather information to draft legislation ensuring Indiana’s gaming industry remains competitive and relevant. “People that are even opposed to gaming have to look at this and realize how important the revenue is and that there are jobs in this industry. I don’t think people can just turn away and say no,” he said.
Currently more than 4,000 Indiana residents work at area casinos, which generate $210 million annually in wagering and admission taxes to the state and local governments.
The industry is increasingly anxious about the impact of recently opened and proposed casinos. The nonpartisan Indiana Legislative Services Agency estimated when a casino opened in Cincinnati in 2013 , attendance at three nearby Indiana riverboats dropped by 27 percent. The report also indicated about 70 percent of regional casino visitors live outside Indiana and will choose to play at a closer, newer gaming facility if one is available.
State Senate President David Long said he supports state Senator Ron Alting’s proposal to establish a commission, to convene this summer, to review all aspects of gaming in Indiana and recommend possible changes.
No matter what the Republican-controlled legislature may endorse regarding gaming during the 2015 legislative session, it most likely will not have the support of Republican Governor Mike Pence, who has repeatedly stated his position as anti-gambling.
Also in Indiana, on May 6 the former Indiana Downs in Shelbyville will officially debut its new name–Indiana Grand Racing & Casino—as well as a new logo, plus other new amenities for the 120-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet.
The track will offer more than $4 million on 35 stakes for Thoroughbreds and more than $1.5 million for Quarter Horses. The $1.3 million stakes on October 4, including the 20th running of the $500,000 Indiana Derby, will make it the richest racing the $200,000 Indiana Oaks. Other stakes for the day include the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Mile, the $100,000 Mari Hulman George and the $100,000 Ta Wee. Kevin Greely, director of racing, said, “We raised two stakes purses this season. The Indiana Grand Stakes, set for Wednesday, July 23, was raised from $125,000 to $200,000, and the Ta Wee on Indiana Derby Night was raised from $65,000 to $100,000.”
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will offer four days of racing per week May 6 through November 1, with a Thursday race on 17. Racing will begin at 2:05 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and at 5:05 p.m. EDT on Friday and Saturday. An adjacent casino offers 2,000 slot machines and e-games.
