It's a no-go for Terre Haute casino

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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A Terre Haute casino bill is dead after failing to garner enough votes during a committee meeting at the Statehouse In Indianapolis today. The split vote among public policy committee members was  5- 5, stopping the bill from advancing in the Senate without a majority vote.

Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute) authored the bill  that he hoped would permit the construction of a new gaming and entertainment facility in the city. The plan was for  the owner of Rising Star Resort and Casino in Rising Sun, to relocate up to half of its state-approved gambling games to a new gaming, dining and hotel venue in Terre Haute.

“This project would provide much-needed tax revenue, economic activity and jobs for Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley,” Ford stated in a press release when he introduced the proposal, noting that Terre Haute is at least two hours away from other Indiana and Illinois gaming operations, which he believed made it an ideal location for a casino.

Although there was much opposition in the community, many local residents supported the plan -- including city leaders and other officials.