Industry Developments
The riverboat casino industry in Indiana has flourished by providing a popular entertainment venue for Hoosiers and other tourists. Beyond the entertainment benefits to patrons, riverboat casino gaming's financial impact on the state of Indiana is considerable.Competitive Pressures
In January 1998, Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon established, by executive order, the Indiana Gambling Impact Study Commission. This Commission's charge was to study the social, fiscal and economic impact of gambling on the state of Indiana. The results of this study, issued in December 1999, indicate that Indiana riverboat casinos have provided overwhelmingly positive economic benefits to the state and its communities.
The Casino Association of Indiana is committed to protecting and enhancing this revenue stream while continuing to support important community projects throughout the state. To do this, however, the Indiana casino industry will need to improve its competitive position among bordering states that offer or plan to offer other, more competitive forms of casino gaming:
- In Michigan, proposed land-based casinos in New Buffalo and Battle Creek, as well as new land-based casinos in Detroit, threaten northern Indiana riverboat casinos.
Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Initiatives
The Indiana casino industry is committed to helping minority and women-owned businesses thrive. As set forth by the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act, a riverboat licensee must spend a certain percentage of the dollar value of its contracts for goods and services with certified Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business Enterprises, 10 percent and 5 percent respectively. Each riverboat casino strives to meet these goals. Following are just a few examples:
- Casino Aztar in Evansville created "Our Commitment to Minority Purchasing," a pamphlet distributed at trade fairs, expos and similar venues. The casino is also a corporate member of the Tri-State Minority Development Council, which has helped the company's purchasing department meet local minority and women business owners.
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond co-sponsored with the Hammond Development Corporation a series of entrepreneurship courses. These courses were offered to minorities and women living in Hammond. The 15-week courses emphasized business planning as a key step to starting or expanding a business. Individuals who completed the course and submitted a written business plan became eligible to apply for financial assistance through the Business Builders' low-interest revolving loan fund.
- All Indiana casino purchasing managers have united to exchange information and strategies that will assist the industry in meeting its MBE/WBE goals. This information-sharing group works closely with the Minority Business Development Commission and the Indiana Gaming Commission to develop and maintain MBE/WBE programs.
- The Casino Association of Indiana is a member of the Historically Underutilized Small Business (HUsB) Coordinators. The missionof the HUsB is to "use its synergy to provide development opportunities for historically underutilized small businesses as well as work to generate opportunities for them."
- Admind Star Federal
- Allison Transmission
- Automated Wagering International
- BAA Indianapolis
- Cinergy Corp
- City of Indianapolis
- Clarian Health
- Defense Contract Management
- Eli Lilly & Co.
- INDOT
- IUPUI
- Indianapolis Public Library
- Raytheon
- Roche Diagnostics Corp.
- Rolls-Royce
- Safeco
- United Water
- US Small Business Administration
- The Casino Association of Indiana is proud to be a member of the following organizations that support MBE/WBE development:
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
- Asian American Alliance of Indiana (AAAI)
- Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce (IBCC)
- Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ISHCC)
- Indiana Regional Minority Supplier Development Council (IRMSDC)
Members of the HUsB are: