Indiana is another state, which is expected to take actions towards enabling the local players freely use various gambling products and services. However, the expansion has to be approved by the local authorities and most importantly by Mike Pence, the Governor of Indiana. The future of the gaming industry greatly depends of the way he defines the word “expansion”.
A few days ago, Tom Dermody, a Chairman in charge of the House Public Policy, discussed the approaching changes, concerning the gambling activities in the region and warned his colleagues against taking unwise decisions. If they intend to legalize the new rules and regulations during the next available sitting in January 2015, they should carefully examine all the advantages and disadvantages of the amenities, that are going to be imposed.
According to the Chairman, the top priority of the authorities should be implementing rules and regulations that are solid and credible. However, the legislators have to be prepared to give a sensible explanation to all their actions.
All the details, given by Dermody, just come to support the standpoint of Mike Pence, who is totally against any form of expansion of the law.
Several racetracks and riverboat casinos, located in the state, have expressed their willingness to become land-based venues and expand their business by adding more table games. Although the authorities have postponed taking any decision, concerning that matter, the problem was raised again by those who are interested in keeping these casinos open.
Last week, lobbyist and executives reminded about that delicate issue and pinpointed the fact that currently, the rapid decline in the turnover of the venues won’t lead to anything positive.
Pence was not willing to reveal more information about his notion of the “expansion”. Although his point of view is clear, he didn’t give any examples of the upcoming changes in the rules and regulations. All he said was that he would like to inform the legislators that they won’t have neither his support nor the support of the administrative authorities of Indiana state. Pence also added that since the day he has taken the reigns of the state, he never intended to amend the gaming laws let alone to expand them.
Time will tell if the Governor will let the racetracks provide the players with table games or not. Despite his categorical denial to accept an amenity on the state laws, those who keep a close eye of his actions and announcements, hurried up to remind that last year Pence approved a suggestion for annual tax relief for the local casinos, equal to $5 million.
The attorneys of the gaming venues, which would like to become land-based ones, have clearly stated that once these casinos get extended they will provide many job opportunities, which will, needless to say, improve the local economy.
The future actions of the state authorities remain uncertain but chances for changing the rules and allowing the gambling industry in Indiana grow without mentioning “expansion” are pretty high.
