Indiana Casino Study Bill Clears Senate to Identify New Gaming Locations

An Indiana casino study bill has successfully cleared the state Senate, paving the way for an independent assessment to identify optimal locations for commercial casinos and

Senate Bill 43: Key Details

Senate Bill 43 was introduced in January by Senators Andy Zay (R-Huntington), Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), and Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago). The proposed bill aims to direct the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to hire an independent, qualified market research firm tasked with identifying three lucrative gaming markets. These markets could boost income for the state’s current 13 brick-and-mortar casinos, riverboats, and racinos, ultimately generating more tax revenue.

SB 43 successfully passed the Senate with a vote of 33-16, just before the Indiana General Assembly’s crossover deadline for legislation.

The Republican side of the Senate contributed a majority of the votes, with 26 supporting the bill, while 14 conservative lawmakers opposed it. In contrast, only two out of the seven voting Democrats opposed the measure.

Casinos Seek More Attractive Markets

Most of Indiana’s casinos are concentrated in the southern part of the state. There are exceptions located in Northwest Indiana, including Horseshoe, Ameristar, Hard Rock, and Blue Chip, along with Harrah’s racino in Madison County. The casinos were originally legalized in the early 1990s, restricted to riverboats on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan.

Earlier this year, a bill crafted at the behest of Full House Resorts sought to facilitate their gaming license’s relocation from Rising Sun to New Haven, nearly 150 miles north in Allen County. The move comes amidst declining revenue at the Rising Star Casino Resort, which generated under $44 million in 2024, a stark drop from almost $93 million in 2012. Full House pledged a significant relocation fee of $150 million over five years, plus an additional $50 million should it choose to sell the New Haven property within five years.

The Senate Committee on Public Policy tabled this proposed Senate Bill 293, with Chair Ron Alting emphasising the need for a study on favourable markets before any relocation is approved.

Indianapolis Casino: The Key to Success

Lawmakers argue that to truly capitalise on the commercial casino market, a casino must be established in Indianapolis—a hub for conventions, events, and sports.

2024 marked a record-breaking year for Indianapolis tourism. The city’s tourism bureau, Visit Indy, reported welcoming more visitors than ever. With strong convention business already forecasted for 2025, the potential for a casino in Indianapolis becomes even more appealing.

Conclusion

As Indiana looks towards the future of gaming, the outcomes of Senate Bill 43 could reshape the state’s casino industry, paving the way for strategic relocations and increased competition. Through independent studies, the state is poised to explore lucrative opportunities that benefit not just the industry, but also lead to enhanced gaming tax revenues which support local initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

• Senate Bill 43 aims to identify three potential gambling markets through an independent study.
• The Indiana Senate passed the bill, reflecting strong political support despite some opposition.
• Declines in revenue at existing casinos highlight the need for strategic relocation to more attractive markets.
• Indianapolis is viewed as essential for the state’s commercial casino success, given its significant tourism appeal.

Overall, Indiana’s gaming landscape is on the brink of transformation, driven by legislative initiatives that encourage competition and growth.