By Lawmakers in Indiana have been taking a closer look at the state’s current casino regulations. This week, voters in the state will decide on whether or not to allow a new casino in Terre Haute. Gambling fans here maintain that a casino will help to generate more revenue for the state and bring additional jobs to Terre Haute.
It’s an exciting time in the state. Voters here are also deciding on who will fill dozens of mayoral offices throughout Indiana. Let’s look at everything that’s going on here.
Indiana Has Been Looking at Casino Expansion for Months
Officials in Indiana have been interested in opening new casinos for almost all of 2019. Back in February, lawmakers here first approved a bill to expand the state’s gambling industry. Senate Bill 552 quickly moved through the state’s legislative process with support from many residents and politicians.
Under this bill, a casino license can be granted in Terre Haute. Several companies have already expressed interest in opening a gambling venue here. Before this can happen, however, voters here will need to officially approve these plans.
Vigo County voters will decide whether or not to allow construction on a new casino in Terre Haute. If approved, this will become the 14th casino to open in the state of Indiana.
As we’ve already mentioned, two companies have expressed an interest in opening a casino here. Both companies are pledging to invest millions of dollars into this area.
It seems likely that these plans will be approved.
Pros and Cons of a New Casino in Terre Haute
A huge number of individuals have been actively promoting this new casino. Even state officials have been praising the benefits that this gambling will offer. Duke Bennett, mayor of Terre Haute, has been fighting hard for this casino to get approved.
“It’s always been about the economic development opportunity for me,” he said. “I did all I could to help bring that opportunity to the community… One of the most important parts of [the legislation] for me was the referendum language. We fought to keep that in there because I’ve felt it extremely important that the people of Vigo County decide whether they wanted a casino or not.”
According to Bennet, this new casino will help to bring more revenue to the state, add more jobs in Terre Haute, and bring in more tourism.
“When you look at the economic impact of not only the construction but also the jobs it will create and the revenue it will create for the city, we’re talking about near $10 million,” Bennett said.
Of course, some residents here are concerned about the negative impact that a casino could have. Some believe it will lead to a rise in crime and gambling addiction.
We’ll need to wait and see how Vigo County voters decide on the new casino in Terre Haute.
Online Casino Gambling is Growing More Popular in Indiana
Indiana is home to many fantastic land-based gambling venues. Soon, even more of these establishments could open up. Unsurprisingly, more and more individuals here choosing to make their bets online.
There are a huge number of fantastic online casinos in IN right now. Most of them offer even more gambling options than the top land-based casino venues in the country. You can find many different table games and slots available online right now.
Most of these sites are extremely safe, as well. Word spreads fast in the online gambling market. Any sites caught doing anything shady are quickly blacklisted.
Online casinos remain unregulated in Indiana. Many believe that in time, the state government will begin to regulate and tax these sites. Doing so would likely earn the government millions in additional revenue every single month.
Very soon, we’ll know whether or not the new casino in Terre Haute will be approved. Stay tuned for more updates this week!
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