Indiana counties delay bill

Gaming host counties in Indiana are trying to eliminate the upcoming legislation.

US.- Whilst Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is about to sign a new gaming legislation, representatives of local counties that host casinos and gaming centers have presented a formal petition to stop the measure. According to Indiana Public Media, host counties’ lawmakers assured the legislation “breaks promises” and “drains local budgets.”

“This is really one of those bills that got watered down some but I really hoped was going to drown before it crossed the river,” Rep. Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) told the newspaper. Legislators have approved the amendment because it allegedly improved gaming regulations and set a more comprehensive tax system.

However, the measure would minimise the money that host counties get from gaming every year. “I don’t believe this bill’s going to stay like this. I believe this isn’t the endgame – this is the beginning of the end. We’ll be back. We’ll take more. We’ll accelerate it and we’ll do it to the poorest and smallest communities in our state,” commented to Indiana Public Media Rep. Randy Frye (R-Greensburg), who represents gaming communities on the Ohio River.

Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is studying the possibilities as he has time until next week to decide whether to sign the legislation or send it back to the Senate. The original proposal included a US$3 admission fee per visitor along with a wagering tax of 3 percent. But as legislators have changed it, counties that host the casinos would receive less money every year from gaming revenues.