By Jon Seidel, Post-Tribune
jseidel@post-trib.com
A bill being written by Gary's state senator to allow a land-based casino in the city could also offer relief to Indiana's two downstate "racinos."
Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, said in a statement Tuesday she is working with Democratic Sen. Tim Lanane of Anderson who represents the home of Hoosier Park, one of two race tracks in Indiana with slot machines.
Indiana's gaming study committee issued a report last week that found it to be in the state's best interest to allow a land-based casino in Gary. The report also found that a wagering tax applied to racinos but not riverboat casinos is an "undue burden."
The bill being prepared by Rogers and Lanane will address both issues, according to a news release. If passed, it would allow one of Gary's casino boats to pay a fee to move to a land-based location in the city, and it would return Gary's second casino license to the Indiana Gaming Commission.
"Gaming is a billion-dollar industry in Indiana, and it provides tax revenue to the state and to our local communities," Rogers said. "The commitment we're offering is to keep the burdens low so Indiana's industry can compete amidst the changing dynamics."
The new bill would also eliminate the wagering tax racinos pay on revenue that isn't kept by the casino, Rogers said. That revenue is instead set aside for the horse racing industry.
The gaming committee report found the wagering tax makes it difficult for the racinos to compete with casinos in neighboring states.
Lanane said the change would maintain support for Indiana's horse racing industry, "but alleviate some of the unnecessary tax burden on the racinos. The jobs provided by both of these industries are critical to our local economies."