Hoosier State lawmakers recently addressed the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) and threatened to “take legislative action” if regulation policies regarding levies and fines are not changed, according to an Indiana Capital Chronicle local news report.
However, the IGC maintains that it has “abided by its rules and statutes and listed accomplishments.”
The group spoke out during a six-hour State Budget Committee meeting. According to the local report, Senator Ryan Mishler told the commission, “I will suggest that you step up, get your house in order, and you circle back.”
Several senators spoke out to local news, stating that the Commission should not raise fines for casinos that are making more money. Senate Chris Garten noted that the Commission does not have the right to issue higher fines just because a casino’s profits are higher.
At one point during the meeting, Garten accused the IGC of “just charging whatever the heck it wants,” the local report said.
Executive Director Greg Small offered a counterpoint in response, stating that the agency has been put in place to bring casinos and gambling establishments into compliance.
The Hoosier state is one of many that heavily regulates its gaming industry, which results in fines when casinos fail to withhold players’ winnings for delinquent child support. Casinos in Indiana that fail to prevent underage gambling or hold self-excluded gamblers accountable are also at risk for regular fines.
Sports betting in Indiana has been legal since 2019. Governor Eric Holcomb signed a statewide regulated sports betting bill into law a little more than a year after the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA.
