As an advocate for legalizing VGTs for Indiana, you understand the value they will bring to your business and your community. However, we have come across several harmful myths about VGTs. Learn how to respond to the top four VGT myths with talking with patrons, community leaders and legislators.
MYTH #1: Video gaming terminals will quickly deplete a player’s paycheck.
TRUTH: Video gaming terminals in Indiana will have a maximum $2 betting limit. Additionally, VGTs will award 85-92% of money played to the players. This means that for every dollar the player bets, they will get back $0.85- $0.92 back as winnings. That means if someone played 100 hands of poker on a VGT video poker game, the most they could bet overall would be $500, and on average, they would likely win back between $425 - $460, leaving an actual loss of just $40-75.
MYTH #2: VGTs will negatively affect my community.
TRUTH: VGTs for Indiana advocates for limiting the types and quantity of establishments that have VGTs so they won’t be everywhere. All VGTs will be restricted to 21+ players and will not be in places that allow kids. While only a small group of people will have access to VGTs, the benefits for the community are farther reaching and include:
- Sustaining struggling Hoosier small businesses by increasing their revenue and bringing new patrons into their establishments
- Millions of dollars in local and state tax revenue for all 92 counties
- The creation of more than 32,000 jobs state-wide
MYTH #3: VGTs will increase the amount of social problems such as pathological gambling and higher crime rates in the community.
TRUTH: A study by the General Account Office (GAO) found no definitive evidence that there was a link between the legalization of “convenience gambling” and an increase in social problems such as pathological gambling, personal bankruptcy, or crime rates. Indiana’s VGT proposal involves several statutes that will create even more safeguards to the community. For example, only establishments with a three-way liquor license will be able to apply for VGTs. Since these liquor licenses are limited throughout the state, VGTs will be capped in each community as well. This rule and many others will promote responsible gambling for entertainment purposes.
MYTH #4: Indiana already has legalized gambling in casinos making VGTs unnecessary
TRUTH: While it’s true that Indiana doesn’t lack opportunities to gamble in the entire state, there are only 13 casinos in the state mostly in the Northern and Southern parts of the state, found in only 11 counties out of 92. That means that the majority of Hoosiers have to travel a few hours by car to enjoy gaming. In addition, state and local governments have become more and more dependent on funding coming from a stream of revenue that is steadily decreasing. Legalizing VGTs would help put money in all parts of the state, in all communities. As Brad Klopfenstein, manager of The Antelope Club in Indianapolis, states, “it is important that they look at the whole picture beyond the big casinos and give small businesses like mine a seat at the table.”
When looking at the issue of legalizing VGTs in the state of Indiana, it is important to look at that whole picture as well. When you hear an argument against, do your research. You will more than likely find that the benefit that can be gained by all Hoosiers far outweighs any perceived negatives that VGTs will bring to communities.
If you’re ready to get involved in bringing VGTs to the state of Indiana, go to our Take Action webpage to see how you can be a part of the transformation of Indiana.