March 21, 2007

Senate panel advances slot machine bill to floor

Yesterday, March 20, the State Senate Tax and Policy Committee approved a slot machine bill to place 1,500 slot machines in each of the state’s two horse-race tracks to give boosts to both Indiana’s horse racing industry and hefty revenues to state government. The vote was 9-3.

Voting against this expansion was Senator Luke Kenley, chair of the committee and an active member of First UMC in Noblesville. Others voting NO included Senator Ford and Senator Dillon. All three voiced their concern about the expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.

Besides the change in the number of the slots in each racino from 2,500 to 1,500, the panel also increased the licensing fee from $100 million to $400 million. Another committee amendment will permit the state’s 11 riverboat casinos to operate without needing to navigate, in other words, a barge without an engine.

Please take action and write or call your State Senator today in opposition to HB1835, the slot machine bill. Emphasize the human and social costs of expanding legalized gambling especially in Central Indiana where most of the patrons of both racinos will be from the state and not a border state. Most casino gambling done in Indiana is done on the state borders where two-thirds of the patrons come from out of state.

Don’t know who your senator is? To find out, log on to www.in.gov/legislative and click on Who is my legislator. If you know your Senator’s name, go to www.in.gov/legislative, click on Who is my legislator, click on Legislature, then click on How to Contact Your Legislator. If you know your state Senator’s name, go directly to e-mail addresses. To call your Senator at the Statehouse, call 800-382-9467.

Here is a sample letter for you to consider if you need assistance.

Dear Senator,

House Bill 1835, the slot machine in horse-race tracks bill is now before you for consideration. This bill presents to you a blatant expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana which opens a new chapter in the expansion of gambling in our state. This bill sets precedence in permitting two land-based casinos, as if the eleven existing casinos aren’t enough casinos for Indiana. If this bill is passed and these two race-tracks are permitted to have land-based casinos, the eleven existing casinos will be back to you asking for the same privilege.

Senator, please take into consideration the human or social factors which makes such an expansion of legalized gambling so dangerous for the future of our state. Slots are known as the crack cocaine of the gambling industry and the most lucrative part of casinos, but they are very destructive for those who become addicted to gambling.

Please vote NO against HB1835. Enough is enough. We don’t need an expansion of legalized gambling in Indiana.

Thank you for your service to our state.

Sincerely,

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