By DEANNA MARTIN
The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — A Senate committee approved a proposal Monday that supporters say would crack down on illegal gambling statewide by stepping up enforcement and enacting stricter penalties.
The Senate Rules Committee voted 12-0 for the bill, which would set aside money to hire 25 more state excise enforcement officers to investigate illegal gambling, including electronic machines sometimes called “Cherry Masters.”
The legislation would also create a special prosecutor to handle gambling cases, and would increase penalties to include the possible revocation of licenses for selling tobacco, alcohol or lottery products.
Daniel Gangler, with the Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, said the bill would step up enforcement against one of the most addictive types of gambling.
“Slot machines are considered the crack cocaine of the industry,” he said. “They can put people into a habit of gambling very quickly.”
Cherry Masters look like slot machines, but gaming experts say they are unfair to players and can be programmed to pay far less than a typical slot machine.
Although the bill would outlaw such unregulated machines, the Legislature could still allow regulated, fair video gaming machines if it chose to do so, said Rep. Trent Van Haaften, D-Mount Vernon. He said that lawmakers may debate that option as the bill moves through the legislative process, but estimated that there were not enough votes in the House for such a measure to pass.
“I think that question’s still floating out there,” Van Haaften said.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he opposes a net expansion of gambling, but has not given specifics on what that means.
Another bill being considered by the General Assembly would allow up to 1,500 slot machines at each of Indiana’s two horse racing tracks.
If that bill and the bill that cleared the rules committee Monday both pass, the state would see an overall reduction in gambling, said Ernie Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
If it passes the Senate in its current form, the bill would return to the House for consideration of Senate changes. The House could either approve the Senate version and send it to the governor, or it could end up in a joint House-Senate conference committee, where a compromise would be sought.
Local News
11:41 p.m.: Senate panel advances bill to tighten gambling enforcement
- Local News
-
-
Local churches work with Change This World
While 1.02 billion people are undernourished and 23,483 die of starvation or preventable disease per day in the world, according to Food and Agriculture statistics on Change This World’s website, there are those who are trying to make a difference by decreasing those numbers.
-
Elwood mayor says new administration has had zero firings
Mayor Ron Arnold, who took office Jan. 1, said his administration has not fired a single employee.
-
Got flowers for Valentine's Day?
If you’re a wife or girlfriend reading this story, avert your eyes. This one’s for the men in your life.
-
Snow showers this evening
Our snow chances are greater during the course of this week. Today will begin dry with increasing clouds and highs in the mid 30s.
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 13
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Poll question for Monday, Feb. 13
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Getting Together: Anderson Symphony Orchestra seeks musical connections
Getting patrons in the proper mood for Valentine’s Day, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra delighted its audience with both classical and popular melodies of love on Saturday night. From Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, the professional musicians performed tales of love, tragedy and romance.
-
What's Where: Feb. 13
Local meetings and activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
- More Local News Headlines
-
