Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Casino Operator Floats Indy Airport Proposal, But GOP Leaders Skeptical

Daniel Incandela
/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/incandopolis/3789053490/

A proposal to move 700 gaming positions from Rising Sun to a new casino in Indianapolis may have more support in Rising Sun than in Indy.

Rising Sun Casino owner Full House Resorts has proposed a casino on the land which was home to the old Indianapolis International Airport.

Rising Sun Mayor April Hautman says the positions Full House Resorts wants to reallocate to Indy aren't being used anyway – the existing facility is allowed to employ up to 1,400 people, but only has space for half that many.

Hautman says the move could help the city by allowing the company to offer package deals, combining gambling in Indianapolis with Rising Sun's golf course and riverfront.

Senate President David Long (R-Fort Wayne) declined to comment on the proposal, and House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) did not return a call seeking comment. But both leaders have been skeptical of past suggestions to allow gambling anywhere it isn't already legal.

Hautman acknowledges the proposal will be attacked as an expansion of gambling.

“I guess it depends on what side of the table you’re on,” Hautman says. “There’s a total of so many gaming positions allowed at each casino. This would not be increasing those positions; it would just be moving the unused positions elsewhere.”

The only exception legislators have made since riverboat casinos were legalized was to allow gambling in French Lick. Legislators also allowed racetrack casinos in Anderson and Shelby County to add slot machines to horse race wagering.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard notes the racetrack casinos are likely to fight the prospect of a competitor in their backyard.

Related Content