Lawmakers Dismiss Impact Of Caesars Plan To Buy Racetrack Casinos

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Original story from IPBS-RJC

Brandon Smith

Article origination IPBS-RJC

Lawmakers say they doubt the Caesars acquisition of Indiana's two racetrack casinos will have an impact on the industry inside the Statehouse.
*Brandon Smith/IPB News*

Lawmakers say Caesars Entertainment’s pending purchase of Indiana’s two racetrack casinos shouldn’t change much in the legislature when it comes to the gaming industry.

Las Vegas-based Caesars – which owns two Indiana riverboat casinos – has agreed to purchase the racetrack casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville from Centaur Gaming, an Indiana-based company. House Public Policy Committee Chair Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) says he’s unsure how the deal will change Statehouse debates.

“Predicting some issues is virtually impossible so if it does come, we’ll handle it,” Smaltz says.

The racinos got the right in a 2015 bill to use live table game dealers beginning in 2021. Senate Public Policy Committee Chair Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) says that date will remain the same.

“And that shouldn’t change because a 100-pound gorilla is now the owner versus a couple local boys,” Alting says.

The Caesars deal is expected to close early next year.

Tags:gaming casinos

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