Playing online blackjack and poker from a phone, tablet, or laptop looms in the future as the Indiana House weighs a bill legalizing interactive gaming.

Some casino officials worry it could hurt their bottom line and others support the measure since the state’s 13 state-regulated casinos would likely apply for licenses.

House Bill 1432 passed in the chamber’s Public Policy Committee by a 9-2 vote last week and moved to the House Ways & Means Committee for consideration.

The bill also allows the Indiana Lottery Commission to operate and regulate the online sales of jackpot draw and instant tickets after July 1. It’s estimated it could generate up to $94 million in profits for the state by 2028.

The bill’s author, Ethan Manning, R-Logansport, said during the committee hearing that casino games are already being played online and many are operated by foreign-based sites with few consumer protections.

He said it makes sense for the state to regulate online gaming and benefit from its revenue.

Committee member State Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Byrne, opposed the bill. He voiced concerns about online gambling becoming more accessible to teenagers.

Indiana legalized online sports betting in 2019. It generated about $48.5 million in state tax revenue last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission.

A state fiscal analysis showed interactive gaming could generate between $500 million to $1 billion in gross revenue annually. That could lead to tax revenues between $119 million and $253 million annually, according to the Legislative Services Agency.

The agency notes that interactive gaming could result in a projected $98 million to $197 million reduction in gross revenues for the state’s 13 casinos as fewer patrons visit the casinos. Northwest Indiana is home to four, including Hard Rock Northern Indiana, Horseshoe, Ameristar, and Blue Chip.It’s assumed the state’s 13 casinos will apply for the interactive gaming and management licenses. The bill sets forth an initial license fee of $500,000, paid by the casino or other licensee. The licenses can be renewed annually for a $50,000 fee. The management license fee was set at $100,000 with a $25,000 annual renewal fee.

It also calls for an interactive gaming rate tax rate of 26%.

Casino operators appear split on the bill with some worried it could diminish in-person gaming and lead to job cuts.

John Hammond, a lobbyist from Penn National Gaming, the parent company of Ameristar in East Chicago, said he opposed the bill because Penn National doesn’t support House Bill 1433, a bill which permits electronic pull tab machines in bars and nonprofit locations such as American Legion posts and lodges, which sell paper versions. Manning also authored the bill.

Hammond said Penn National had concerns over the regulation of the e-pull tabs. The Public Policy Committee unanimously supported it and it’s also pending in the House Ways & Means Committee.

Online interactive gaming could begin in September if lawmakers approve the bill and Gov. Mike Braun signs it. Similar bills, however, have failed in the past.

About eight states offer interactive gaming, including neighboring Michigan, which legalized it in 2021.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.