Indiana looks like it will be the next state to try and legalize sports betting within the United States. State Rep. Alan Morrison has introduced two separate sports-related betting bills.
House Bill 1073 would allow state casinos, 'racinos,' and off-track betting locations to offer sports betting if the Indiana Gaming Commission says it's allowed under federal law. House Bill 1074 would allow certain locations to offer fantasy sports games for the purpose of betting.
"Gaming is something that this state has become extremely reliant upon, that revenue," Morrison said. "As it's been trending down, it's incumbent upon us to figure out how to fix it or to improve on what we have."
Morrison, who has a master's degree in sports management, wants the state to be prepared to take the advantages that legalized sports betting would offer Indiana. State Legislative Services Agency determined that Indiana would gain between $12-$70 million on the taxes to sports betting.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been vocal about his support of legalized sports betting and has claimed that there is $400 billion exchanged every year through illegal betting in America alone.
"There's a lot of money that floats around out there," Morrison said, "where if it were captured in some form or fashion, and revenue is able to be realized for the state, it could mean a lot."