(INDIANAPOLIS) - A significantly revised proposal to authorize a new casino in northeast Indiana advanced Thursday after clearing a key Indiana Senate committee.
The Herald Republican reports that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the amended legislation on an 8-5 vote following about 25 minutes of discussion, sending the measure to the full Senate for consideration.
As revised, the bill removes Wayne County from consideration and instead allows a new casino license to be located in Allen, DeKalb or Steuben counties. Lawmakers would effectively create the license by converting one of the state's remaining horse racing "racino" licenses from the Horse Racing Commission to the Indiana Gaming Commission, while eliminating another unused racino license.
Supporters say the northeast region was selected because it lacks in-state casino competition, with the nearest rivals located across the Michigan border.
Under the proposal, the eventual license holder -- selected through a bidding process -- would choose which of the three eligible counties would host the casino.
The bill no longer includes a required public referendum, a change that drew criticism from Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. She argued the decision could rest with a county's board of commissioners rather than voters, noting that casino proposals elsewhere in Indiana have typically gone before the public.
Steuben County leaders have promoted potential casino sites near the junction of Interstate 69 and the Indiana Toll Road as prime development locations due to strong highway access.
Earlier versions of the legislation proposed relocating the struggling Rising Star Casino license from southeastern Indiana. The amended bill leaves that license in place but specifies that if any Indiana casino closes, its license would be eliminated rather than reassigned.
The measure now heads to the full Senate for further debate.