Gambling on Dry Land

An Indiana Senate committee was poised to vote late yesterday on a bill that would allow casinos on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River to move onto land.

The bill is designed to help the state’s casinos deal with rising competition from nearby states, including Ohio, which recently legalized casino gambling.

The mayor of Gary, Ind., which has two casino boats, has said the bill is his top priority and that it would mean new revenue and jobs for the struggling city. A state gaming committee last month predicted the move would create at least $11 million in new annual revenue for the state.

The casino owners would need to pay a $50 million fee to move inland under the bill. It would also require any agency receiving gambling revenue through a local development agreement to produce an annual report.

Some casino owners oppose the legislation, saying they could lose business to those casinos that are allowed to relocate on land.

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