The push for online poker legalization in Indiana has hit a major roadblock. House Bill 1536, which aimed to expand casino-style iGaming in the state, has expired in committee, effectively ending the chances of online poker being legalized in Indiana for the remainder of 2023. The bill, a broad measure to legalize online gaming, failed to receive a vote or any substantive consideration before a House committee, putting a halt to progress for this year.
Many industry experts had been hopeful that HB 1536 could make headway, especially with the bill’s primary sponsor, State Representative Ethan Manning, now serving as the chair of the Public Policy committee to which the bill was assigned. However, despite these initial optimistic views, the measure quickly fizzled out without serious momentum.
Rep. Manning had initially announced the bill’s introduction in December, signaling a possible breakthrough for iGaming legislation in Indiana. However, after a delayed introduction in late January, HB 1536 never gained the traction needed to move forward. The bill was pushed aside, overshadowed by other legislative priorities, and was not discussed during committee sessions that focused on new legislative matters.
Indiana’s State Senate committee also passed the deadline to consider new bills on Thursday, and without any action on iGaming legislation, the hopes for online casinos and poker in the state are now pushed to at least 2024.
Rep. Manning acknowledged the struggle, saying that there is a significant need for better public and legislative education on the benefits of iGaming. He also mentioned that state studies on the topic have been conflicting, especially regarding concerns that online casinos might negatively affect Indiana’s land-based casino industry. Manning pointed to a favorable study conducted by the Indiana Gaming Commission that suggested no major threat to land-based casinos from iGaming, but noted that the study’s findings haven’t been fully embraced by the fiscal side of the legislature.
“There’s a disconnect there,” Manning remarked, referring to the gap between the positive iGaming report and the hesitancy within the General Assembly. “We need to work on that and figure out why the report’s not being pushed through onto the fiscal side. I think there’s some concern about the source of the data that was used.”
With iGaming measures sidelined for now, Indiana will have to wait until 2024 for any further attempts to bring online poker and casinos to the state.
