Indiana senate committee progresses online horse betting bill

It’s still early days, but an Indiana bill, HB1270 which seeks to legalise internet betting on horse races, is moving forward in the state Senate.

HB 1270 passed the House 81-15 late last month and was referred to the Senate (see previous report).

On Wednesday the bill passed the Senate Public Policy Committee on a unanimously positive vote despite comments by Republican Party Sen. Luke Kenley that the measure is still a “work in progress” and will be subject to debate.

Kenley chairs the state Senate Appropriations Committee, where the bill is to be directed next.

Republican state Representative Robert Cherry originally authored the bill and introduced it to the house earlier this year to reauthorise internet advanced deposit wagering regarding horse race betting in the state (see previous report).

On introducing the bill, Cherry said account gambling was legal in Indiana nearly a decade ago, but was defeated when a 2005 bill strengthened laws against Internet gaming.

“This was erroneously removed when…former Sen. David Ford had a criminal statute curtail the illegal Internet gaming,” Cherry said. “And this wasn’t to be included in it, but it was.”

The bill appears to enjoy strong support in the state Senate.