The administrative bill that includes a ban on sweepstakes casinos is headed to a conference committee on Monday.
HB 1052 passed the Senate on Tuesday by a 37-8 vote, but it included an amendment not related to the sweepstakes portion of the legislation.
The House dissented from those amendments after passing the bill by an 86-12 vote earlier this month, setting the stage for a conference committee.
The Indiana Legislature ends its 2026 session next Friday.
Sweepstakes bill conference committee
The two sides will discuss the issues with the amendment at 11:30 am local time on Monday.
HB 1052 sponsor Rep. Ethan Manning will serve as the committee chair and conferee, along with Rep. Kyle Miller.
The Senate side includes the chamber’s sponsor, Sen. Ron Alting, and Sen. David Niezgodski.
Amendment concerns tobacco sales
The amendment deleted specifics about who is allowed to get a wholesale certificate to sell tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.
The Senate wants to strip out language concerning who can receive a certificate depending on past suspensions or crimes.
Senators wanted to regulate sweepstakes
Adding to the amendment issue is that Alting and Niezgodski wanted to regulate sweepstakes casinos instead of ban them.
“Let me just say, I offered the amendment for the sweepstakes which regulated and taxed it that I thought would be appropriate but got a tremendous amount of feedback of ‘no go,’ particularly with leadership with both chambers as well, it was really going to be dead on arrival back to Public Policy members of the House of Representatives,” Alting said during a Senate committee meeting.
Niezgodski noted he wanted to see the amendment considered as well.
“I too would have very much liked to see that amendment that you wanted to offer,” Niezgodski said. “I’m not gonna vote no on the bill, I’m gonna vote yes on the bill, but I hope we can have some further conversations on that.”
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance said regulated and taxed sweepstakes casinos could add “upwards of $20 million” in annual tax revenue to the state.
