Indiana Regions Without Gambling Refuse to Be Left Out

Indiana legislators want to know why their constituents can't introduce casinos like some areas of the state have, allowing all regions to benefit from gambling.

A special session of the Indiana legislature designed to address the state budget has become an outlet for communities not blessed with gambling benefits to demand various gaming expansions. Areas of the state that don't presently have casinos want relocation, expansion, or introduction of new games to create revenue and bring economic development.

Despite the insistence of Governor Mitch Daniels that the session is not the time to consider gambling laws, lawmakers want to know why some regions get casino benefits while others suffer. 

House Speaker B. Patrick Bauer said it was wrong of state leaders to rule out gambling remedies for the rest of the state "when Central Indiana is getting a cure."

"There's other people with problems in this state," said Bauer.

Lawmakers are debating moving one or both of the two Gary casinos, possibly introducing table games at horse tracks, and creating a new casino in Fort Wayne, among other proposals.