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Indiana State Rep. pushes for gaming study

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – (PRESS RELEASE) -- State Rep. Win Moses (D-Fort Wayne) said today he will ask the Indiana General Assembly to endorse a plan to study the regulation of video gaming, better known as 'cherry masters,' rather than make any legislative effort in 2007 to legalize the games.

Moses intends to file a resolution seeking formation of an interim study committee to examine ways to restrict, regulate and tax a form of gaming that officials believe could generate more than $200 million in additional revenue for the state of Indiana.

'I have spent the past two years trying to find the best way to find a consensus on this issue, but it has proven to be an increasingly complex task and I am not sure that we can get the answers we need before the close of this legislative session,' Moses said. 'I believe a study committee this summer will give us the time needed to thoroughly examine all of the ins and outs of this issue, so we can act in 2008.'

Moses said there are unresolved issues surrounding virtually every aspect of regulating cherry masters.

'I know that many service clubs and taverns want to maintain specific numbers of machines (five games in each tavern and 10 in each service club), rules that would result in more than 20,000 cherry masters statewide,' Moses said. 'However, I also know that the Legislature would not agree to that many machines. If there are smaller numbers, the question then becomes how these machines would be allocated.'

Once an allocation process is decided, lawmakers still would have to decide who would own the permits for the machines and where they could be located.

'The next step would be determining which state agency would be in charge of oversight,' Moses said.

'The Hoosier Lottery Commission would be a logical place to start, but I am unsure if such a move is right since the governor intends to privatize the lottery. The Gaming Commission would be the next choice, but they are an enforcement agency rather than an administrative body.

'Once we do decide the best means for oversight, we will have to determine costs of administration as well as rates of taxation,' he continued. 'Then comes the matter of deciding who owns these machines: the clubs and taverns, local providers or the state.'

Moses noted that legislative leaders in both the Indiana House and Senate have been less than enthused about moving a bill to legalize cherry masters in the 2007 session.

'Creation of a bill would require additional time to understand and appreciate the many different sides taken by parties interested in legalizing cherry masters,' Moses said. 'Even if we are able to reach a consensus in the next few weeks, I am unsure at this time whether there is enough support for expansion of gaming in Indiana at this time. Many are willing to listen to the merits of the issue, but few are willing to promote it.

'I now believe it would be better to study this issue in the interim so we have a chance to reach agreement on many points of contention, then come back with a plan at a future time that reflects a consensus,' Moses concluded.

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