INDIANAPOLIS--Indiana Grand Racino and Casino and Hoosier Park wouldn't be able to add live dealers until 2021 at the earliest under a proposed amendment to the gaming bill.
The Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1540 on Thursday but took no action. Committee chair Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said a vote could come Monday on the amended bill, which would then go to the full Senate.
Among other provisions, the amendment being considered would postpone the addition of live dealers at the state's two racinos until Jan. 2021.
"This gives them basically a five-year extension to fight for their business," said bill author Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte.
Rising Star CEO Dan Lee, who's testified against the live dealer provision every step of the way in the bill's progress this session, told the committee he's pleased with the amendment.
"I'm very appreciative of the five-year delay because that does give me time to try to figure out how to turn the property around," said Lee, whose company took over the property last year.
But, he said, the live dealers would still be a problem in five years. His argument is that allowing live dealers at Shelbyville and Anderson will destroy smaller casinos like the one in Rising Sun.
Among other provisions, the amendment would:
• Specify the process for entering tribal-state compacts concerning Indian gaming;
• Remove the expiration date on the free-play promotional deduction;
• And lower the racino wagering tax from 91.5 percent of adjusted gross receipts to 89.5 percent.
Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, addressed the conflicts between the state's casinos when it comes to opposition to allowing live dealers in Shelbyville and Anderson.
"We have no control over the competition coming from outside (the state)," she said. "I do hope as we go along that we try to work together and think of everybody's concerns and try to address those."