IndianaIndiana would permit gaming terminals at licensed clubs and businesses
Indiana would let licensed clubs, some places serving alcohol, and truck stops meeting diesel sales and facility requirements host terminals through operator contracts.
What it does
Veterans' and fraternal clubs, some places serving alcohol, and qualifying truck stops could host gaming terminals if licensed and paired with an operator. Casino operators and convenience stores outside truck stops could not apply.
Only people 21 or older could play, with at most five terminals per site and $2 bets per hand. Gaming near schools, places of worship, or covered gambling facilities would face distance limits unless those facilities opened later.
Operators would pay a 30% tax on money wagered minus prizes paid. The state would get 30% of that tax; cities and counties would split the rest, or counties alone would receive it outside cities and towns.
Existing local bans would be overridden. After June 30, 2026, cities and towns could pass new bans within their borders, while counties could ban gaming in areas outside cities and towns.
Argument forIf licensed gaming takes place, its tax revenue could help local governments pay for jail mental health care and police equipment.
Argument againstWagering at licensed sites could lead some adults to lose money through repeated bets, even with a $2 limit on each hand.
More detail
The gaming commission could license eligible sites to host video gaming terminals under contracts with operators. Eligible sites include veterans' and fraternal clubs, some places licensed to serve alcohol on site, and truck stops with designated diesel fueling islands, commercial parking, a store, and average monthly diesel or biodiesel sales over 50,000 gallons. Newer truck stops may qualify based on expected sales. Each site needs its own license and an operator contract. Casino and race track operators, some alcohol permit holders, and convenience stores that are not truck stops cannot apply. The proposed rules would take effect July 1, 2026.
Licensed sites would let only adults play and limit the number of terminals and the size of bets. Players must be at least 21. Each licensed site could have up to five terminals; each hand could cost up to $2 and pay up to $599. Gaming must be separated from spaces where minors may be. Gaming cannot start within 100 feet of a school or place of worship or within 1,000 feet of a covered gambling facility. That limit does not apply if the nearby facility opens after gaming starts. The proposed rules would take effect July 1, 2026.
Operators would pay a tax on terminal gaming, which the state would share with local governments. The tax rate would be 30% of money wagered minus prizes paid. Operators that own or lease the terminals would owe it. For gaming in a city or town, the city and county would each get 35% of the tax, and the state would get 30%. Outside cities and towns, the county would get 70% and the state would get 30%. Local governments could spend their shares only on listed jail treatment, public safety pensions, training, or equipment. The state would set aside local shares each month and send them every quarter.
City, town, and county lawmakers could pass ordinances banning video gaming in their areas. Cities and towns could ban gaming within their borders. Counties could ban it in areas outside cities and towns. A local ban would have to be passed after June 30, 2026. A ban already in place on that date would be overridden.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 5Authored by Representative JudyLatest
- Jan 5First reading: referred to Committee on Public PolicyIntroduced
Taxes & BudgetPublic SafetyConsumer Protection