Indiana Senate passes bill allowing table games at racetracks

The Indiana Senate on Monday passed a bill that would give Indiana’s racetrack-casinos the ability to operate table games like craps, roulette, and blackjack, but the legislation faces an uncertain future in the House.

The Senate voted 32-18 for the bill, which also would grant tax breaks to the state’s 10 riverboat casinos and allow them to relocate to dry land. Supporters have argued that the gambling industry needs the legislation to compete with a growing number of casinos in neighboring states.

However, opponents of the bill criticized the tax breaks, which would reduce the amount of money the casinos pay to the communities in which they are located. That opposition is expected to be stronger in the House.

Indiana’s two racetracks, Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, are owned by Centaur Gaming. Casinos at the two tracks currently are restricted to operating slot machines.