Dockside gambling scuttled

Legislation that would have legalized dockside gambling in Indiana was spiked by a Senate committee Wednesday. The Republican-controlled Senate Rules Committee voted down the bill 5-3 across party lines.\nThe Democrat-controlled House passed the measure early in the session. It would have allowed riverboat casinos off Lake Michigan to remain moored at all times instead of taking regularly scheduled trips. Patrons could then board and leave as they pleased. \nThe casino lobby insists it is necessary to remain competitive with riverboats in Illinois, which legalized dockside gambling two years ago.\n"We're incredibly disappointed," said Cheryl DeVol-Glowinski, executive director of the Casino Association of Indiana. "We're the fifth largest employer in Indiana, and we're just asking to be treated like any other business."\nIt looked hopeful for the casino operators, after lawmakers announced they would draw on gambling taxes to balance the budget. The unprecedented move -- described as necessary with a slowing national economy and shrinking state revenues -- drew fire from gambling opponents, who were jubilant Wednesday.\n"It creates a dependency for the state government," said John Wolf, coordinator of the grassroots Indiana Coalition Against Legalized Gambling. "It's like any other addiction."\nWolf, a retired Baptist minister who lives in Valparaiso, likened the legislative struggle to the Biblical tale of David and Goliath.\n"Obviously, they had the deep pockets," he said. "But we had people power -- we're a purely grassroots organization of volunteers. And we're not going to be done with this until the gorilla is put back in its cage."\nWolf shudders at the thought of dockside gambling.\n"They're looking to expand, spread in whatever way they can," he said. "They're just interested in taking as much money as they can from innocent people."\nThe rules committee discussed the bill for about 15 minutes before taking a vote. \n"We would have at least liked to discuss the economic development this would have fostered," DeVol-Glowinski said. "It's undeniable that this would have created jobs. And it was just legalized in Louisiana -- this is an industry trend."\nWhile the bill could be revived in conference committee, it won't see the Senate floor. However bleak things look for the casino operators, DeVol-Glowinski said they intend to continue lobbying. \n"We will continue to pursue this," she said. "It can still be worked into another bill. We'll take it up next session if we have to."\nBut the bill's Senate sponsor -- Earline Rogers, D-Gary -- has given up hope for this session.\n"Sen. Rogers is very disappointed," said Rick Gudal, a spokesman for the Senate Democrat Caucus. "Obviously, we're all worried about losing the revenue"