Slots to be the Main Topic of Indiana Legislation

The Indiana State Legislators have a lot of work to do before the 115th Indiana Legislative Session ends on April 29, 2007. More than 50 gathered at the Hoosier Park on Monday, April 16, 2007 as 4 state legislators from Madison County gave an overall outlook of the happenings, activities and the bills that are being discussed at the session, as well as the topics that the legislators still need to tackle in the upcoming weeks before the end of the 115th Legislative Session of Indiana.

The officials said that the talks and discussions regarding the slot machines gaming issue for the horse racing tracks in Indiana will cover much of the time.

Recently, it has been the practice of states to allow slot machines and other forms of casino table games at their racing tracks to supplement the state budget and at the same time, help the horse race tracks attract customers and earn a profit.

Just last week, House Bill 1835 was sent back to the House of Representatives to begin discussing the conference committee hearings held by the state representatives.

If given the nod of approval, it will allow about 1,500 slot machines to be placed in Hoosier Park located in Anderson and the Indiana Downs located in Shelbyville. Under the current regulation, each gaming facility must pay around $400 million of upfront licensing cost.

Sunday, 20 May 2007
Marissa Patterson