Land Casino Gambling Rumored for Indiana City

The mayor of Gary, Indiana, indicated he would approve moving one of the Majestic Star casino licenses elsewhere in the state, if the remaining gambling license were allowed to move off the water inland.

Secretive negotiations concerning the location of a riverboat gaming license have led to public speculation that a land-based casino may be coming to the shores of Lake Michigan. The mayor of Gary, Indiana, indicated he would approve moving one of the Majestic Star casino licenses elsewhere in the state, if the remaining gambling license were allowed to move off the water inland.

"A land-based casino, combined with a four-year medical school for IUN, would be a huge boon for the city of Gary, generating thousands of jobs," Mayor Rudy Clay said. The mayor has been conducting talks with both state legislators and Dan Barden, holder of the two Gary casino licenses.

Presently, Indiana law requires gaming operations be set up on riverboats. But, even though the current legislative session ends at the end of the month, Clay and others are apparently convinced changes can be enacted quickly, as behind-the-scene- discussions have been under way for some time.

State House Speaker Patrick Bauer spoke with skepticism regarding the plan, pointing out that gambling debates have historically progressed slowly through the lawmaking process.

But Clay and others say, if enough people benefit, the pressure to create the new casino may be enough to get the project done. Not only Gary officials will be behind the measure, but another town, possibly Fort Wayne, would be the recipient of the transferred license from the second riverboat.