Rumors about Downtown Indianapolis Casino

[jafeather]

I always figured Indy would be a great city for an Indiana riverboat, probably somewhere on White River. I wasn't sure why there wasn't ever even much talk about putting one there, and assumed it had something to due with Marion County/Indy Metro ordinances.

Three or four months ago I heard someone comment on one of the local sports-radio stations (WNDE) about the possibility of Indiana riverboat casino laws being amended to allow for a casino to be put in Indianapolis' (now mostly defunct) Union Station.

Those that have been there would probably agree that the location, size and layout of Union Station would be about as close to perfect for an Indianapolis casino as you could get.

I dismissed the radio report as nothing more than rumor; probably something that might have been considered if Indianapolis had been successful in it's bid for the 2011 Super Bowl.

Since that initial report, however, I keep hearing the rumor pop up. I've now heard it mentioned (always in passing, or I catch just the end of the discussion) 3 more times on WNDE (one of those might've been X-103), and at least 10 times in random discussions with people. Those people, though, never have any more information than I do, and have pretty much just heard the same rumor.

Mostly, I still dismiss this even being discussed as possible legislation, as it would take a large and very specific rewrite of current Indiana casino law. As many times as I've heard it, though, I have to ask if any others in the area have heard similar ramblings and if there appears to be any more to it.


TL;DR Cliff Notes: I keep hearing rumors about Union Station in Indy being turned into a casino...anything to it?

[EGO]

For what it's worth, I've heard similar rumors here in Indy, from last year, but nothing concrete. I think it's a definate possibility, though.

- The state (and city) is in dire need of cash.
- We lost the F1 race, which is considering going to Las Vegas instead.
- Slot machines were recently added to a nearby horsetrack, which might suggest a favorable legislative attitude to gambling.

Just my thoughts, nothing concrete. I'm looking forward to someday having a casino downtown, and would love if it were in Union Station.

[ronniep]

Doubt it will happen anytime soon. Putting slots in at the horse track was a good start though. Sure would be nice.

[smartalecc5]

That would be sweet, im going to IU this year, would be nice to have a casino within an hour /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[tagtastic]

This would be sweet, I'm on the southeast side of Indy.

Maybe with the tax revenue from a casino they could lower our damned property taxes.

[BeatPurdue]

[ QUOTE ]
That would be sweet, im going to IU this year, would be nice to have a casino within an hour /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You can always hit the one in Elizabeth that is only an hour and 20 minutes away from B-town.

Talk about soft games. That place is hilarious.

[redbeard]

There is a casino in French Lick not much more than an hour away from Bloomington and Caesar's in the Louisville area about 1 and a half hours away. I imagine that when Cook got the licence to open the French Lick casino he had some assurances that Indy (or any other city in central Indiana) wouldn't be opening one very soon. He is a major donar to IU and very influential within the state. (He's richer than Oprah for goodness sake). If Indy were to get a casino it would hurt his casino in French Lick some. That's just my guess though so I could be way off base.

[smartalecc5]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
That would be sweet, im going to IU this year, would be nice to have a casino within an hour /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

You can always hit the one in Elizabeth that is only an hour and 20 minutes away from B-town.

Talk about soft games. That place is hilarious.

[/ QUOTE ]

any 2/5 NL?

[MikeyPatriot]

Alec,

Caesar's has 2/5 for sure. Not sure about French Lick (they have 1/2). I haven't been to the Elizabeth casino.

Where in B-town are you going to be? I live in town full-time, and if you were interested in a 2p2 meetup, I'd be up for it.

[smartalecc5]

I'll be living on campus... Northwest neighborhood - McNutt.

Sure man, lets do it

[Toonces]

Of course, the big problem with an Indy casino is that Indy isn't located near a state border, so almost all of its "losers" will live in-state, which is not what most states want to do.

[Mackerel]

I would love to see it, but I know one of our State Senators personally, and have discussed this very issue. His feeling is that it wouldn't be politically viable. But then again, he's been wrong before, so who knows.