Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Senate approved a proposal Wednesday that would crack down on
illegal gambling statewide by stepping up enforcement and enacting
stricter penalties. The Senate voted 38-11 for the bill, which would
set aside money to hire 25 more state excise enforcement officers to
investigate illegal gambling, including electronic machines sometimes
called "Cherry Masters." The legislation would also create a special
prosecutor to handle gambling cases, and would increase penalties to
include the possible revocation of licenses for selling tobacco,
alcohol or lottery products. Senate President Pro Tem David Long,
R-Fort Wayne, said Cherry Masters - which look like typical slot
machines but can be programmed to pay far less - can be found in gas
stations, truck stops and other locations children can access.
"Gambling is out of control in the state of Indiana," Long said. "This
bill truly tries to draw a line in the sand." But Sen. Robert Meeks,
R-LaGrange, said current laws against the machines have not stopped
them from thriving. While added enforcement drives the machines
underground, he said, regulating and taxing them could help the state
get control of the issue. "Let's bring that dark crime into the
light," he said. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he opposes a
net expansion of gambling, but has not specifically said what that
means.
Another bill being considered by the General Assembly would allow up
to 1,500 slot machines at each of Indiana's two horse racing tracks.
If both bills become law, the state would see an overall reduction in
gambling, according to Ernie Yelton, executive director of the Indiana
Gaming Commission. The bill to crack down on gambling will next return
to the House for consideration of Senate changes to the legislation.
The House could either approve the Senate version and send it to the
governor, or it could end up in a joint House-Senate conference
committee, where a compromise would be sought.