“In Michigan, this is kind of commonplace,” Mishler said, “but this was all new to us.” Indiana’s other casinos are commercial operations that are licensed and taxed by the state. The compact is a first for Indiana, where Four Winds is the only tribal casino operating on federally designated land. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, said he voted “no” because gambling is a “moral issue” for him, though he voiced general support for the Pokagons. Ryan Mishler, R-Bremen, the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, praised the agreement as a “very simple, fair compact.”ĭuring the roll-call vote, Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, recited the Pokagon band’s many contributions to the South Bend community over the past five years, including several million dollars to the city of South Bend and hundreds of thousands more to local charities. The Senate Appropriations Committee sent the compact to the full Senate by a 12-1 vote Thursday, with no discussion beyond brief words of support from a state gaming official, the Pokagon tribal chairman and several lawmakers. The casino has been operating more limited “Class II” gaming, which allows forms of electronic bingo played against other guests, but not against the house. Under the compact, the state would allow the Pokagons to operate “Class III” gambling, which includes table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as slot machines, in exchange for a share of revenue. Eric Holcomb’s administration and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, which operates the casino on tribal land at Indiana 23 and the U.S. The compact was finalized last month between Gov. The agreement will now go to the full Senate to be ratified before moving to the Indiana House.

The casino has been operating more limited “Class II” gaming, which allows forms of electronic bingo played against other guests, but not against the house.Īn Indiana Senate committee passed on Thursday a gaming compact that would allow table games and sports betting at the Four Winds Casino in South Bend. Under a gaming compact approved by a State Senate committee, the Pokagons would be allowed to operate “Class III” gambling, which includes table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette, as well as slot machines, in exchange for a share of revenue.

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