Big Time gambling issue in Indiana?

MUNCIE - Some officials in charge of enforcing the state's gambling laws as they pertain to businesses with liquor licenses seemed surprised when contacted last week about Pizza Ante, a small restaurant with 10 video gambling machines.

Because the restaurant does not have a liquor license, it is unregulated by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Because it does not have a charity gaming license, it is not overseen by the Indiana Department of Revenue.

"I really haven't heard of that," said Alex Huskey, superintendent of the Indiana Excise Police, whose 63 officers enforce the state's liquor laws. "This is the first I've heard of this in Indiana."

Jennifer Drewry, prosecutor for the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, agreed.

"I haven't heard of any other operations like this in Indiana at all," she said. "It's entirely new to me."

Huskey said that since Pizza Ante does not have a liquor license, it falls outside his agency's jurisdiction.

"There's nothing that gives us permission to do that," Huskey said.

Drewry said state authorities would look into the matter, however.

"If we haven't seen this before, what can we do about it? What are we going to do about it?" she asked.

Enforcement would likely fall to local police and the prosecutor's office, Huskey said.

Delaware County Prosecutor Richard Reed - who said he had been informed that Neal was the owner of Pizza Ante - said he believed local authorities would investigate.

"I think I might look into that," Reed said. "It might be a place where kids hang out. I don't know any of the facts about it."

thestarpress.com

<< had one today without bacon...:drink: good stuff

Fyi

Gambling has become a key source of revenue for Indiana’s state government, expected to top $900 million for 2004, compared with $164 million a decade earlier. Some lawmakers propose an expansion of slot machines or electronic pull-tab machines as a way to help close the state’s $600 million annual deficit.

House Bill 1191, 2005 Regular Session

Internet gambling. Makes Internet gambling a Class B misdemeanor. Makes committing or promoting professional gambling through the Internet a Class D felony. Requires an interactive computer service to: (1) discontinue its service if notified by a law enforcement agency that the service is being used to promote professional gambling; and (2) block access to a site used to promote professional gambling.

Considerations

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Effective Date: ​

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Explanation of State Expenditures: ​

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Information Sources: ​

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The General said:

Gambling has become a key source of revenue for Indiana’s state government, expected to top $900 million for 2004, compared with $164 million a decade earlier. Some lawmakers propose an expansion of slot machines or electronic pull-tab machines as a way to help close the state’s $600 million annual deficit.

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Excellent proposal by the Indiana lawmakers.

I wish them the very best.

The General said:

Gambling has become a key source of revenue for Indiana’s state government, expected to top $900 million for 2004, compared with $164 million a decade earlier. Some lawmakers propose an expansion of slot machines or electronic pull-tab machines as a way to help close the state’s $600 million annual deficit.

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Governments all throughout human history have found ways to collect revenues from the people. Once they find a way they will never, never let go. Gambling will be a source of revenue as long as Indiana is a state.

Keep us posted as far as that Internet gambling bill goes. I'm thinking the state legislature is looking at Internet gambling as a competition to their gambling source.

The average expenditure to house an adult offender was $21,514 in FY 2004, ranging from a low of $16,645 to a high of $49,281. (This does not include the cost of new construction.)
...
The estimated average cost of housing a juvenile in a state juvenile facility was $59,574, with the costs ranging from a low of $52,420 to a high of $77,674. The average length of stay in DOC facilities for all Class D felony offenders is approximately ten months.

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Making stuff illegal is becoming the biggest business in America.

It's hilarious that the government wants to expand their gaming monopoly because they claim to be running out of money while they spend huge amounts of money enforcing and prosecuting their citizens who engage in non-government approved gaming.

The General said:

If offenders can be housed in existing facilities with no additional staff, the average cost for medical care, food, and clothing is approximately $1,825 annually, or $5 daily, per prisoner.

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There go the egg McMuffins. :sad3:

Of course Indiana could legalize the death penalty.:hanging: :guillotin

thestarpress.com

Under orders from Delaware County Prosecutor Richard Reed, the operators of an eastside pizza parlor have removed video gambling machines from their business.

After hearing about the 10 video gambling machines at Pizza Ante and the Triple Cherry Room from The Star Press, Reed contacted Michael J. (Mick) Alexander, attorney for former Teamsters Local 135 official John Neal, and ordered that the machines be removed by Wednesday.

On Thursday, Reed told The Star Press that the machines had been removed.

"They are gone," Reed said. "They were gone last Saturday."

Amy Riggs, the operator of Pizza Ante, confirmed Thursday that the machines were no longer in her business.

"The pizza business is more important to me than the machines," Riggs said.

The Star Press wrote about the East Jackson Street restaurant on Jan. 30, quoting state and local officials in saying that Pizza Ante was a relatively new venue for the lucrative video gambling machines.

As a business without a liquor license, it was not subject to oversight by the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, and since it was not a bingo hall, it was not overseen by the Indiana Department of Revenue's charity gaming division.

Reed contacted Neal's attorney because a city building permit listed Neal as the owner of the building, while Riggs said the machines were owned by a business operated by Neal's daughter.

Reed said Alexander, the prosecutor's former law partner, told him the machines were gone.

"I had somebody check," the prosecutor added.

Reed said that although he still felt stymied by local court decisions that held the machines were not illegal, he felt it was necessary to "draw a line."

"They're not a priority," Reed said regarding video gambling. "I don't think I have the tools to do anything about it."

Local court decisions found the operation of the machines did not qualify as gambling, Reed said.

"I have repeatedly asked the Legislature to do something about it, and they are unable," Reed said.

Lawmakers have been deadlocked during this legislative session on proposals to legalize the machines or allow them in certain areas as means of generating tax revenue.

Woody0 said:

There go the egg McMuffins. :sad3:

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:sad3:

FairWarning said:

Of course Indiana could legalize the death penalty.:hanging: :guillotin

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the deathy penalty IS legal in Indiana. Guess i'll have to go to Kentucky everyday to place my bets. gee whiz. Luckily, I'm only 10 minutes away from the border.

The General said:

Under orders from Delaware County Prosecutor Richard Reed, the operators of an eastside pizza parlor have removed video gambling machines from their business.
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Reed said that although he still felt stymied by local court decisions that held the machines were not illegal, he felt it was necessary to "draw a line."

"They're not a priority," Reed said regarding video gambling. "I don't think I have the tools to do anything about it."

Local court decisions found the operation of the machines did not qualify as gambling, Reed said.

"I have repeatedly asked the Legislature to do something about it, and they are unable," Reed said.

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So in Indiana a prosecutor can make an order, involving something the courts have determined not to be illegal, even though there are no "tools" to do anything about it and no support from the legislature.

What does he do? Send a letter about "Lefty" visiting, who likes to break kneecaps to maintain the State's monopoly?

Is this a police state?