A bill allowing land-based gaming in Indiana almost got lost in the shuffle of a hectic legislative session dominated by religion, construction wages and education politics.
Passed on the final day of the four-month session, the bill allows the state's 10 riverboats to move from water to land. Gary State Sen. Earline Rogers breathed the biggest sigh of relief.
"It wasn't anticlimactic for me, I was just glad to put a period to land-based casinos," she said.
While serving in the House, Rogers introduced the state's first land-based casino bill in 1989 when former Gary Mayor Thomas Barnes envisioned resort-type casinos as a way to resurrect his city's economy.
The measure failed, although Gary voters approved it in a non-binding referendum.
Rogers rebounded and scored a triumph in 1993 when lawmakers approved riverboat gambling.
In subsequent sessions, Rogers has introduced land-based gaming with little luck. "People stopped believing we'd ever have land-based," she said.
The shift toward land-based gaming came amid growing competitiveness from neighboring states, a possible tribal casino in South Bend and a decline in gaming revenues that dropped $99 million last year. Those revenues provide needed millions to municipalities.
House Public Policy Chairman Rep. Tom Dermody, R-LaPorte, led a legislative study committee that recommended the change last year.
Studies showed the state's gaming industry represents about 13,000 jobs. Dermody cited one riverboat that spent $5 million on marine personnel, even though the boat never moved.
Now, it appears Gary will gain Northwest Indiana's first land-based casino. Rogers said Majestic Star Casino, which operates two boats in Buffington Harbor, plans to build on land near its hotel.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Majestic Star CEO Peter M. Liguori both testified for the land-based legislation.
Gov. Mike Pence still hasn't signed the casino bill. If he vetoes it, Rogers said lawmakers would likely return and override the veto. "I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't sign it," Rogers said.
City leaders, including Freeman-Wilson and Rogers hoped the city's first land-based casino could be built off the Borman Expressway, where traffic is steady and heavy. Other Lake County gambling boat operators objected to such a move, Rogers said, and an agreement specified licensees must remain in their existing footprint.
"I'll never look a gift horse in the mouth," Freeman-Wilson said of Majestic Star's plans to build a casino and event venue, estimated to cost between $95 million and $135 million, adjacent to its hotel in Buffington Harbor.
Freeman-Wilson praised Majestic Star's commitment to the city, saying the casino has been in the forefront of local businesses in hiring Gary residents.
Freeman-Wilson said Majestic Star won't need new zoning or permits, other than building permits, to construct its casino. "We want to be a help and a partner. We want to facilitate the process," she said.
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