I just got a release from Mayor Henry’s office, and it flies in the face of every news report I’ve read today. Here’s the first paragraph.

The Gaming Study Committee report released today contained good news for Fort Wayne. It affirmed the right of the public to be heard on this important issue, something I have championed all along with my call for a referendum on gaming. The report also highlighted the significant economic potential in the Fort Wayne market, possibly $20 million to $30 million of new revenue each year.

Huh?

Here’s Sylvia Smith’s spin on it at the JG.

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislators on a key gambling study committee believe a report completed Tuesday deals a blow to the prospects of casino gambling in Fort Wayne, including a preliminary referendum sought by Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

“It’s a setback for Fort Wayne. There is no other way to read the work,” said Rep. Matt Bell, R-Avilla

[...]

One finding in the report specifically says the “committee believes an expansion of gaming to new cities or counties where gaming currently does not exist is not in the best interests of the state or the gaming industry at this time.”

Okay, that’s pretty clear in my mind, how about you? Tom, it says, it’s not in the best interest of the state or gaming industry. Let’s take a look at the lead-in from a story from WIBC in Indianapolis.

A study committee on gambling has said yes to Gary, but no to Fort Wayne.

A legislative panel has unanimously recommended letting Majestic Star Casino combine its two gaming boats on Lake Michigan into a single land-based casino off I-80/94.

[...]

The study committee rejected pleas from Fort Wayne and Steuben County for a casino license. The committee says expanding gambling into new counties “is not in the best interests of the state or the gaming industry.”

What’s the Mayor smoking reading these days? Here’s more from Sylvia Smith at the JG:

A second paragraph says the committee believes a city or countywide referendum “should be required for casino gaming in that city or county.”

But Rep. Jeff Espich, R-Uniondale, said that is simply a restatement of past practice when other areas in the state were awarded a casino, not a recommendation for a Fort Wayne referendum.

And more from the Mayor King.

Gaming is such a significant employer and source of revenue for the state of Indiana. I applaud the committee for its thoughtful examination of this issue and its determination to sustain the gaming industry to the benefit of all Hoosiers. The finding that a viable, untapped market exists in Fort Wayne should be especially encouraging to lawmakers and every citizen. What is equally heartening is that the report reinforces the outcomes of the City of Fort Wayne’s own research on this matter.

Honestly, I think Tom Henry is living in fairytale land.

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David Wilmott, president of Penn National says all four casinos should be built in a little over two years.

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From WLKI.com

(FREMONT) – Efforts to get a referendum on next years ballot on whether or not Steuben County residents want a casino got a financial boost from the Fremont Town Council during a special meeting on Tuesday night. The Town Council agreed to initially commit $2,500 to the lobbying effort to get the issue on the ballot.

The Steuben County Economic Development Corporation has been working with local officials on trying to bring a casino to land on State Road 120 west of the Outlet Mall. Fremont Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Parsons says the money can be used out of CEDIT funds which are used to promote economic development.

Town Council President Loretta Smart said local officials had a positive meeting last Friday with casino owner Tom Barden. He runs the two Majestic Star Riverboat casinos near Gary and is looking to sell one of the licenses to a company that wants to locate a casino in northeast Indiana. In other business, the Town Council officially adopted the towns 2010 budget.

Looks like they’re full steam ahead.

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