NWI casino revenues drop in May

Northwest Indiana casino revenues dropped 2 percent in May, as a new Indiana law took effect allowing casinos to take a tax deduction for free play offered to customers.

Speedway bailout crosses finish line

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence has agreed to loan the Indianapolis Motor Speedway $100 million in state funds to pay for renovations, video boards and other improvements to the home of the Indianapolis 500 auto race.

NWI casino revenues fall off in April

Northwest Indiana casino revenues decreased 2.9 percent in total in April as compared to the year-ago-month, driven mainly by a large drop of 11.1 percent at the two Majestic Star boats in Gary.

Pence signs school safety grants, 40 other measures into law

INDIANAPOLIS | School corporations can each seek up to $50,000 in matching state funds to hire local police as school resource officers under a new law signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

New Illinois casinos could bust Indiana's budget

INDIANAPOLIS | The ink is barely dry on Indiana's two-year state budget legislation, but the potential for new Illinois casinos is threatening to throw the Hoosier spending and tax cut plan out of balance.

General Assembly wraps session distinguished by cooperative tone

INDIANAPOLIS | Hands were shaken, hugs were shared and state lawmakers, who spent the past four months passionately opposing each other in great and small policy debates, were all smiles Saturday morning after House Speaker Brian Bosma gaveled out the 2013 Indiana General Assembly.

Legislature meets into the night to complete its work

INDIANAPOLIS | Following four months of proposing, reviewing, bargaining, deal-making and voting, state lawmakers settled on final versions of legislation Friday for most of the remaining issues of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.

Majestic CEO asks lawmakers to take a risk for Indiana's casinos

INDIANAPOLIS | The head of Gary's Majestic Star casinos told state lawmakers Monday it's past time for them to act on legislation giving Indiana's casino industry a fighting chance versus new, out-of-state competition.

Pence backing off fight for tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence received the optimistic state revenue forecast he's been counting on since January to show Indiana can afford his $500 million income tax cut, but instead of celebrating, Pence seemed more interested in compromising.

NWI casino revenues fare better compared to 2012

The total take at the five Northwest Indiana casinos fared slightly better in March 2013 than in the year-ago-month, according to revenue figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

State doubles potential investment in motorsports industry

INDIANAPOLIS | Lawmakers have replaced a Senate-approved plan giving $100 million in state funds to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a $200 million loan program fueled by slot-machine revenue from central Indiana's casinos.

NWI casino revenues drop as competition revs up

Revenues at Northwest Indiana casinos dropped 8.8 percent in February, the second steep monthly drop in a row for the five boats, according to the February revenue report from the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Casinos slam gaming bill reversals

A casino bill that riled local communities now is riling casino operators, following changes made by an Indiana Senate committee.

Senate rolls the dice on casino tax cut

INDIANAPOLIS | The Senate on Monday bet millions of dollars belonging to Northwest Indiana counties and cities on the chance that reducing casino tax payments will lead to new casino property developments and improve competition with out-of-state gambling halls.

Senate votes to take gaming revenue from counties without casinos

INDIANAPOLIS | Counties without casinos would also lose some of their gaming tax revenue following a change made Thursday to legislation intended to help Indiana casinos make improvements to better compete with new casinos in neighboring states.

Casinos see dramatic declines year-to-year in January

In what has been termed “new normal” by gaming officials and observers, all five Northwest Indiana casinos saw a combined 9.2 percent decline in January revenues compared with one year ago, according to revenue figures released Friday by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

Casino workers to protest gaming tax break

Members of Unite Here Local 1 who work at Northwest Indiana casinos will be in Indianapolis Tuesday to lobby state lawmakers as they consider tax breaks for Indiana casino operators.

CASINOS: Gaming boats withstand cross-border competition

Northwest Indiana gaming boats are well positioned for new competition from other states, but could use some thoughtful actions by state legislators to stay on a steady course.

Senate leader sees tough road ahead for gaming changes

INDIANAPOLIS | The leader of the Indiana Senate threw cold water Thursday on the idea that the unanimous committee vote for a proposal changing taxes and other rules affecting the state's casino industry guarantees the full Senate will approve the legislation.

Senate panel OKs tax cut to help casinos fight out-of-state competition

INDIANAPOLIS | A Senate committee signaled Wednesday that it's ready to help Indiana's gaming industry fight encroaching competition from new casinos in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.