TERRE HAUTE, Ind.
(AP) — A state lawmaker wants to clear the way for a casino in Terre Haute.
Republican Sen. Jon
Ford is proposing legislation to move unused games held by the Rising Sun
casino to Terre Haute. A new casino would create more than 1,200 jobs and
millions in taxes for Indiana and local government, Ford told the
Tribune-Star.
The Rising Sun
casino now operates in southeastern Indiana, near Cincinnati. Alex Stolyar
of Full House Resorts, which operates Rising Sun, said Terre Haute could be
a "prime market."
"The opportunity is
there, so I am creating a bill as a compromise that would keep the existing
games in Rising Sun, allow that tax base to be maintained there and bring
these unused state assets into a revenue producing environment," Ford said.
According to the
newspaper, Terre Haute would receive more than $7.3 million in projected
annual wagering taxes, and Vigo County would receive more than $2.7 million.
The new casino would also generate more than $925,000 for other Indiana
counties that don't have a casino.
Stolyar said the
city's location near the Illinois border could attract players from that
state. He said he wants to stay a step ahead of any plans for a casino in
Danville, Illinois.
Legislation to
expand gambling in Illinois this year fell through.
Stolyar said that
if legislation is approved by the Indiana General Assembly for a new casino
in Terre Haute, it would take six to nine months for design, with an
additional 12 to 18 months needed for construction.
Ford said he plans
to file legislation as soon as next week.
If approved, a
Terre Haute casino could be ready in 2019.
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