By John Byrne, Post-Tribune staff writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- The General Assembly has voted to allow gambling at thousands of bars and taverns across the state.
Despite vigorous objections from several representatives, the House voted 53-42 to send a bill to Gov. Mitch Daniels to allow corner taverns to sell pull tabs, punch boards and tip boards, and hold "winner-take-all" raffles.
Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, said he knows local bars need help competing with casinos and not-for-profits like VFW halls which can sell drinks and administer gambling.
But Smith voted against the proposal because he has too many questions about the specifics.
Smith questioned why the state Alcohol and Tobacco Commission will police gambling in bars, while the state Gaming Commission oversees it elsewhere.
He also wondered why the bars will be taxed only on the wholesale price of pull tab tickets, rather than the retail proceeds.
House Bill 1153's success is a quick reversal for the General Assembly.
In 2007, the legislature countered the addition of thousands of slot machines at Indiana's two horse racing tracks by passing legislation to crack down on illegal "Cherry Master" slot machines at bars.
No net increase in gambling statewide, legislators argued then.
Now the legislature has acted to legalize gambling in bars, an attempt in at least some legislators' minds to give neighborhood drinking establishments a chance to compete with the myriad gambling opportunities across the state.
"I'm convinced next year we'll be selling pull tabs in kindergarten," Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, testified before voting against the bill.