Lobbyists, Politicians Push for Video Gambling Legalization in Indiana

 
The Indiana Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) is organizing public meetings throughout the state to convince politicians there that they should legalize the video devices when the General Assembly reconvenes in three months.
 
“We need to really look at it,” said David Heath, chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
 

Meeting at the Tavern

About 20 people attended the first meeting, this Wednesday, in Bluffton, Ind., at a tavern run by military veterans.

State police officers last year visited the hall, and disabled the video gaming machines that were being used by the veterans there.  The machines have subsequently been removed from the post. The machines generated revenues, which kept the tavern open for military vets.
 
According to State Sen. Robert Meeks (R-LaGrange), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, many still play the machines throughout the state, even though they are “illegal.” Sen. Meeks, a retired cop, said he is “in favor” of legalizing the machines.

Another legislator, State Rep. Win Moses (D-Fort Wayne), said he fears that the irrational ban on video gaming is somewhat akin to the failed “Prohibition” of alcohol which the U.S. Congress passed nearly a century ago. At that time, the federal ban on the purchase of alcohol sent the industry underground, and bred, rather than tamed, crime.

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Fair Payouts

Legalizing the video gaming machines, however, would enable the state to ensure fair play while collecting a share of the money.
Some legislators, though, are still worried about the legalization of video gaming in their state.

House Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) said he was worried about “people losing their life savings” through video gambling.

But, legislators acknowledge that if the machines were legal, the state would get tax revenue. 

Additional public meetings are planned in the coming months in East Chicago, a suburb of Chicago, and other cities.
 
According to Don Marquardt, owner of the Timbers Casual Dining Lounge in Angola, Ind., and the state president of the ILBA, the Indiana police have generally left bars and restaurants with video gaming machines alone, and not enforced the restrictions written in old laws against gambling there.
 
Marquardt added that Democrats – who are expected to win the control of the legislature there in Indiana during the election this fall – were tolerant of gaming, but Republicans were not.
 
“Governor Mitch Daniels said ‘legalize them or enforce the law;” said Marquardt, referring to the strategy of  the Republican governor of Indiana, and former aide to President George W. Bush at the White House.
 

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