Indiana Senate Approves Casino Study, Sparking Indianapolis Debate

Indianapolis.

Senate Bill 43, which cleared the Senate with a 33-16 vote, directs the Indiana Gaming Commission to determine the top three locations in the state for a casino. While the bill does not specifically authorize a casino in Indianapolis, some lawmakers’ public backing of the idea signals that such a move could be considered in the future.

Indianapolis Senators Voice for Downtown Casino

Despite longstanding opposition from certain industry stakeholders, two Indianapolis senators—Republican Aaron Freeman and Democrat Greg Taylor—spoke in favor of exploring a casino in the city’s downtown district. Their remarks came as the Senate debated the legislation, which stems from broader discussions about gaming license relocations in Indiana.

Freeman emphasized that a downtown casino could generate substantial revenue for the state and Marion County. He suggested that funds from such a facility could be allocated toward improving Indianapolis infrastructure, particularly its roads.

“I hope everybody can come together and say, ‘Indianapolis is a world-class city.’ We have world-class events. We have world-class entertainment,” Freeman said. “And to that and to our conventions and everything else, absolutely we should put a casino in downtown Indianapolis.”

Casino License Relocation Discussions Spark Broader Debate

The Senate’s decision to study potential casino sites follows deliberations about moving an existing casino license from Rising Sun, a town along the Ohio River, to New Haven near Fort Wayne. Earlier this legislative session, the Senate’s Committee on Public Policy reviewed Senate Bill 293, which would have permitted this transfer. However, the bill failed to advance after Committee Chair Sen. Ron Alting, a Republican from Lafayette, chose not to bring it to a vote.

Sen. Andy Zay, a Republican from Huntington who sponsored both SB 43 and SB 293, acknowledged the challenges of relocating casino licenses, particularly in the face of resistance from existing gaming operators and moral concerns over gambling expansion.

“You’re going to have a lot of resistance with the other casino players and how we can balance all that,” Zay told IndyStar. “How Sen. Freeman, potentially Sen. Taylor, can negotiate through that could be a tremendous challenge. But what would it add to downtown Indianapolis? Could be exciting.”

While the idea of a casino in Indianapolis has resurfaced, past attempts to bring gaming operations to the city have been unsuccessful. In 2015, Full House Resorts Inc., which operates Rising Star Casino Resort, proposed relocating half of its 1,400 gaming tables and slot machines to the former Indianapolis International Airport terminal. However, the Indianapolis Airport Authority ultimately rejected the plan.

Similarly, during debates over relocating a gaming license in 2018, Matt Bell, president of the Casino Association of Indiana, expressed that some of his organization’s would “vigorously oppose” a central Indiana casino. The state currently has 13 casinos, with the closest ones to Indianapolis situated in Anderson and Shelbyville.

With SB 43 now headed to the House for consideration, the Indiana Gaming Commission would be required to present its findings by October if the bill becomes law. The study’s results could further influence future discussions about gaming expansion in Indianapolis and beyond.

Source:

”Actions for Senate Bill 43”, iga.in.gov.