The People's Ledger
← All Indiana bills

HB1038Introduced in the House

Gaming matters.

Passed

Introduced by Craig Snow, District 22

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

Gaming matters. Provides that the horse racing commission may issue three satellite facility licenses (instead of four per permit holder under current law). Requires Allen County, DeKalb County, and Steuben County to place a public question on the 2026 general election ballot that seeks approval from the voters to permit inland casino gambling. Authorizes the Indiana gaming commission (commission) to award a new riverboat license for an inland casino in Allen County, DeKalb County, or Steuben County. Prohibits the commission from awarding an owner's license to operate a casino in Allen County, DeKalb County, or Steuben County if the voters of the county do not approve casino gaming in the county. Specifies application requirements, including local government support and the applicant's commitment and plan to invest at least $500,000,000 for the development of a casino and nongaming amenities. Requires an approved applicant to pay $150,000,000 to the commission to be deposited by the commission as follows: (1) $100,000,000 to the state general fund; and (2) $50,000,000 to the shuttered riverboat fund to be used for local units that are affected by a shuttered riverboat or inland casino closure. Provides that if a licensed owner ceases operations or goes out of business, the license issued under this section is terminated effective on that date.

Where it stands

Public Law 77

March 4, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

2 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate - Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1 · February 27, 2026

34

Yes

16

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

50 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Dan Dernulc1Yes
Lonnie Randolph2Yes
Mark Spencer3Yes
Rodney Pol4Yes
Ed Charbonneau5Yes
Rick Niemeyer6Yes
Brian Buchanan7Yes
Mike Bohacek8Yes
Ryan Mishler9Yes
David Niezgodski10Yes

Bill history

  1. Authored by Representative Snow

  2. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Policy

  3. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  4. Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3

  5. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  6. Representatives Barrett, Isa, GiaQuinta added as coauthors

  7. Amendment #2 (Smaltz) prevailed; voice vote

  8. Amendment #4 (Porter) failed; Roll Call 153: yeas 25, nays 63

  9. Amendment #3 (Porter) failed; Roll Call 154: yeas 28, nays 63

  10. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  11. Senate sponsors: Senators Busch, Mishler, Garten

  12. Cosponsor: Senator Maxwell

  13. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 199: yeas 67, nays 30

  14. Referred to the Senate

  15. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Policy

  16. Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

  17. Senator Maxwell removed as cosponsor

  18. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

  19. Senator Randolph added as cosponsor

  20. Amendment #4 (Mishler) prevailed; voice vote

  21. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

  22. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 229: yeas 26, nays 22

  23. Returned to the House with amendments

  24. Motion to dissent filed

  25. House dissented from Senate amendments

  26. Senate conferees appointed: Busch, Niezgodski

  27. Senate advisors appointed: Mishler, Jackson L

  28. House conferees appointed: Snow, GiaQuinta

  29. House advisors appointed: Manning, Lehman, Isa, Miller K, Moed

  30. CCR # 1 filed in the House

  31. Signed by the Speaker

  32. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

  33. Signed by the President of the Senate

  34. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

  35. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 405: yeas 56, nays 37

  36. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 312: yeas 34, nays 16

  37. Signed by the Governor

  38. Public Law 77

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.