Monday, May 12, 2014

AP Reports Indiana Lawmakers May Study Declining Gaming Revenue

By the Associated Press in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette:

Indiana lawmakers this summer could consider how to address declining revenue from the state’s riverboat casinos.

Indiana Gaming Commission figures show the money the state collects from casino taxes has dropped from a peak of nearly $876 million in 2009 to about 752 million in fiscal 2013. Increased competition from new casinos in neighboring states is a big factor in the drop.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long tells the Evansville Courier & Press that he supports assigning the issue to a summer study committee when they are set up later this month.

Long says the committee would explore the declining revenue from riverboats. Riverboat revenue is down 7 percent, or $20 million, from projections for the fiscal year.