Indiana Bill Introduced
iGaming legislation was filed in the House last week by Reps. Gutwein and Manning, which can be accessed here.
HB 1356, allows for 3 online brands per casino property to offer the full slate of iCasino and poker games; 18% tax rate; master license $500K initial, $50k annual renewal; online operators license $100K, $25K annual renewal.
Chances for the bill moving this session are slipping. Senate president Bray has told the sponsors that the Senate will not take the bill up this session. This means that House leadership is not interested in pushing a bill that will die in the other chamber.
Sen. Bray’s opposition to moving iGaming is not policy related, rather, he continues to express concern (privately) that there are potential gaming industry related indictments expected, and he does not want to put lawmakers in a position to be supporting gaming issues.
Whether the fear of future indictments is valid is not confirmed, however this week an Indiana gaming insider reported that, “We’re bracing for big stuff, with perhaps up to 10 names ready to be rolled out by federal authorities.”