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Casino Owners Call for Move to Land-Based Gaming

Courtesy
/
Pinnacle Entertainment

The future of land-based casinos in Indiana could come down to the definition of “footprint,” according to the debate at a legislative study committee meeting Wednesday.

Some of Indiana’s riverboats say permitting land-based casinos allows them to build better facilities and strengthens their ability to compete with the growing number of casinos in other states. 

Pete Liguori is the CEO of Majestic Star Casinos in northwest Indiana.  He says allowing riverboats to move on land has positive benefits for the community.

“As we contemplate a move to land-based, this actually has a net positive effect for the local communities because it’s likely to increase the real estate tax rolls,” Liguori said.

Representatives from several riverboats told lawmakers they only plan to move onto land adjacent to the boats. 

Troy Stremming is the Vice President of Pinnacle Entertainment, which operates two Indiana casinos.  He says he’s fine with allowing riverboats to move on land, but only within their existing footprint – that is, on property they already own.

“However, I do believe if they are going to be allowed to do that, I think we should explore other opportunities that other licensees might be able to take advantage of,” Stremming said.

He added that some riverboats don’t have the money to build an entirely new casino, but would like to be allowed to move, for instance, a poker room or slot machines to an empty restaurant or banquet hall on their property.  He says that would open up much-needed space on the boats.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.