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Indiana Lottery Faces Gambling Machine Dilemma

INDIANA – As reported by the Louisville, Kentucky Courier-Journal: "Indiana's excise police have raided taverns and fraternal clubs in recent months, cracking down on illegal electronic gambling.

"But the same kinds of machines still flourish in places like truck stops and convenience stores where Hoosier Lottery tickets are sold.

"The lottery consequently finds itself under increasing pressure to address the presence of illegal machines at its retail locations.

"And that creates this dilemma:

"At a time when its own revenue is declining, can it crack down on its retailers who also have illegal machines in their stores? If it pressures them to give up the lucrative machines, will the retailers instead give up their lottery license, further depressing lottery revenues?

"As part of a broad fact-finding initiative, lottery executive director Esther Schneider has asked for an attorney general's opinion as to whether the lottery would be allowed to offer new games such as video gambling -- though it's clear that any such arrangement would need the General Assembly's endorsement.

"…Schneider, who was appointed the lottery chief by Gov. Mitch Daniels in January, said she's trying to gather more information about ways the lottery can continue to raise revenue for the state and act to prevent illegal gambling…"

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