INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House very nearly dealt a deathblow to Gary's hopes for a land-based casino Tuesday, but proponents plan to make one final try to resuscitate it today.
The House voted 57-42 to reject a proposal that would have allowed one of Gary's two lakefront casino to relocate inland, near the Borman Expressway and Interstate 65. The amendment also would have allowed for land-based casinos to replace existing boats in Hammond and East Chicago, and other Indiana boats would have been permitted to go land-based adjacent to their current location.
"You can't argue this isn't a significant expansion of gaming in this state," said state Rep. Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, the Republican leader.
But state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, quickly pointed out that Indiana already has land-based gaming -- at horse track casinos near Indianapolis and at a French Lick resort.
"That's a real stretch to say that by going on land we're expanding gaming," Brown said. "There are still only 11 (casino) licenses in the state, so how can you say we're expanding gaming?"
Nevertheless, the House voted against the land-based proposal.
Northwest Indiana lawmakers whose districts cover or are near casinos in East Chicago, Hammond and Michigan City -- which stand to lose players to an inland Gary casino -- voted against the measure. The "no" votes included Reps. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster; Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte; Linda Lawson, D-Hammond; Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City; Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso; and Dan Stevenson, D-Highland.
After the vote, Brown said the outcome was "a big disappointment" and that he planned to "work creatively" to restore land-based gaming in a House-Senate conference committee meeting.
But Brown will get a second chance even sooner.
State Rep. William Crawford, D-Indianapolis, withdrew his gaming proposal, Senate Bill 405, from floor consideration after amendments he did not support were voted into the legislation. By pulling the bill, Crawford is allowed to recall it today -- the final day changes can be made to pending legislation.
Tuesday night, state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, told The Times there will be another attempt today at a land-based casino for Gary. The new amendment would allow Majestic Star to move one of its gaming licenses inland, while the second license would be returned to the state.
Brown said he hopes the altered proposal will attract representatives who see land-based gambling as expansion. By returning a license to the state, Brown said his proposal actually would reduce gaming.
Rogers and Brown were conferring with state Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, the Senate sponsor of the gaming plan, on the third floor of the Statehouse just before the House adjourned Tuesday night. Earlier, Brown was moving from chair to chair on the House floor speaking with lawmakers who voted "no."
However, even if Gary wins House approval for land-based gaming today, the proposal must still survive a House-Senate conference committee and be approved by both chambers before the March 14 adjournment deadline.
New move: Gary lawmakers are crafting an amendment for House consideration today that would allow Majestic Star Casinos in Gary to move one of its gaming licenses inland, while the second license would be returned to the state. A new Gary casino near the Borman Expressway and Interstate 65 is projected to attract more business than the city's two lakefront gambling halls, but the move likely would sap customers from casinos in East Chicago, Hammond and Michigan City.
