Indiana Senate advances on online gambling legislation

Senator Ford says he is working on a bill to legalise igaming in the state.

US.- Senator Jon Ford has said he is working on language for an online casino bill for Indiana.

Ford indicated that under the planned bill all 13 gambling sites would be able to apply for an iGaming licence.

For sports betting, casinos will likely be allowed to collaborate with three mobile platforms, although Ford is considering permitting just two skins.

He does not intend on including online poker in the bill.

Indiana casino revenues have suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic, as did online sportsbooks.

Ford said: “With COVID, we’re still at 50 per cent capacity at our casinos. I have no idea when that might be lifted. If we had igaming, it would give those casinos a way to drive revenue for them and the state.”

Neighbouring state Michigan recently legalised online gambling.

Commenting on Michigan’s move, Ford said: “I think we need to do it [legalise online gambling] because our neighbours to the north will have iGaming soon and we need to look at alternatives to help our casinos.”

Ford hopes to introduce a bill next year, although this could be jeopardised by discussions in the Senate around delaying the start of the session until March and limiting bills to essential policies only.