IndianaHB 1053First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)House

Gaming and alcohol matters.

Sponsored By: Ethan Manning (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Specifies that the horse racing commission (IHRC) may adopt rules that incorporate by reference the most current version of the: (1) model rules; and (2) model rules concerning foreign substances; adopted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International. Provides that, after June 30, 2025, the governor shall appoint the director of the IHRC and the director of the IHRC shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. Removes the requirement that the IHRC appoint an assistant director and provides that the director shall hire an assistant director. Provides that a contracted steward or judge is considered an employee of the IHRC for the purpose of receiving representation by the attorney general in certain suits. Changes references to the horse racing tracks. Provides that judges and stewards may suspend a license for not more than three years on behalf of the IHRC. (Current law allows judges and stewards to suspend a license for not more than one year on behalf of the IHRC.) Provides that the suspension of a license or the imposition of certain civil penalties must occur within 365 days (instead of 180 days) after the date of the violation. Provides that the Indiana gaming commission (commission) shall require an occupational license applicant and occupational licensee to submit fingerprints for review by the state police department (department) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): (1) for a criminal history record check; and (2) in the form and manner required by the department and the FBI. Requires the department to provide the results of each requested criminal history record check to the commission. Allows the department to charge a fee for a criminal history record check and requires the commission to pay the fee from money received from fees collected from occupational license applicants or licensees. Provides a list of the individuals required to hold an occupational license. Provides that a horse's veterinary medical records and medical condition must be furnished within five business days without written client authorization to the IHRC as part of an investigation in which a horse under the care, control, or ownership of a licensee has been treated by a veterinarian. Provides that the state lottery commission shall not operate or authorize the operation of a lottery courier service. Requires the state lottery commission to adopt rules regarding the bulk purchase of lottery products. Allows a wine dealer that is not a package liquor store to deliver wine to a customer's residence or office. Provides three-way permits, subject to certain conditions, to the city of Warsaw and the town of Syracuse. Increases the number of gallons of liquor an artisan distiller may produce in a calendar year from 20,000 gallons to 30,000 gallons. Allows the holder of an artisan distiller's permit to manufacture liquor for another holder of an artisan distiller's permit if certain conditions are met. Provides that a municipality may not require a designated permittee or vendor within a designated refreshment area to purchase containers for alcoholic beverages from a certain vendor.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 5 costs, 4 mixed.

New restaurant permits carry $40,000 price

Qualifying downtown restaurants can get new three-way alcohol permits: up to two in Delphi, three in Warsaw, and one in Syracuse. Restaurant operators, owners, or tenants must be in designated downtown development or redevelopment areas. Each permit initially costs $40,000, and municipalities can require written commitments by ordinance. Permits generally cannot change owners or locations and return to the commission without compensation after operations stop for over six months. If the area loses its qualifying status, permits can be renewed or change owners, but cannot move.

Artisan distillers gain higher production limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, artisan distillers' annual production cap rises from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons. Liquor sold through a licensed wholesaler does not count toward that cap. Distillers without an Indiana wholesaler gain a higher annual direct-sales cap to retailers and dealers: 2,000 gallons, up from 1,000. The prior-year Indiana sales ceiling for qualifying rises from 9,000 to 10,000 gallons. These direct sellers remain subject to wholesaler rules.

Distillers gain limited contract production options

Beginning July 1, 2025, an Indiana artisan distiller can make liquor at its licensed premises for another artisan distiller. The receiving distiller must have made at least 40 gallons from raw materials at its own premises the prior year. Contract output cannot exceed the receiving distiller's own raw-material production at its premises in the current year. Finished liquor must go to the receiving distiller. Federal production records must be available to the commission on request.

Refreshment-area businesses can choose container suppliers

Beginning July 1, 2025, municipalities cannot make designated refreshment-area permit holders or vendors buy alcohol containers from a specific supplier. Covered businesses can choose their container supplier.

Gaming workers face licensing and fingerprint checks

Beginning July 1, 2025, occupational licenses are required for people covered by Gaming Commission rules, key people, and substantial owners. The requirement also covers employees, agents, or affiliates who meet the stated gaming-license criteria and whom the commission determines need licensing. Covered applicants and licensees must submit two fingerprint sets for state and federal criminal-history checks. Applicants and licensees bear fingerprinting fees, and the commission pays State Police check charges from occupational-license fees. The law gives no specific fee amount.

Liquor businesses get shorter revocation notice

Beginning July 1, 2025, liquor permit holders get at least three business days' notice of a proposed revocation hearing. This replaces the previous ten-day notice period, leaving less time to prepare.

Veterinarians must share racing investigation records

Beginning July 1, 2025, veterinarians and staff must provide horse medical records and condition information for Horse Racing Commission investigations. They must respond within five business days, without written client permission. The duty applies when a racing licensee cares for, controls, or owns the horse and the provider treated it.

Lottery commission must regulate bulk purchases

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Indiana Lottery Commission must adopt rules for bulk purchases of lottery products. The law itself sets no purchase limit or change in what customers can buy.

Lottery couriers and digital games face limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, Indiana's Lottery and Gaming Commissions cannot run or approve lottery couriers without specific authority in state law. Operating a courier service without written Lottery Commission approval is a Class A misdemeanor. The law does not guarantee approval. The restriction on agency-run or agency-approved digital lottery sales also covers draw games, unless state law specifically authorizes them.

Wine delivery expands with worker requirements

Beginning July 1, 2025, wine dealers can deliver wine in permitted containers to customers' homes or offices. Dealers licensed under Indiana Code 7.1-3-10-4 can also deliver to another location the customer chooses. The permit holder or an employee with an employee permit must make deliveries. Employees of dealers licensed under Indiana Code 7.1-3-15-3 can apply for delivery permits; approval is not guaranteed. Dealers must keep each customer's name, delivery location, and quantity sold in written records for at least one year.

Lottery records gain stronger privacy protections

Beginning July 1, 2025, lottery ticket order histories and ticket inventory are confidential under Indiana's public records law. Records are also confidential when release could harm game security, integrity, fairness, or retailer security. This protects sensitive information but limits public access.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ethan Manning

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Blake Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Peggy Mayfield

    Republican • House

  • Ron Alting

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 253 • No: 23

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 42 • No: 7

House vote • 4/21/2025

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 76 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 44 • No: 6

House vote • 1/28/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 91 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 152

    5/1/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/1/2025House
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/23/2025Senate
  4. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 484: yeas 42, nays 7

    4/22/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/22/2025Senate
  6. Signed by the Speaker

    4/22/2025House
  7. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 504: yeas 76, nays 10

    4/21/2025House
  8. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    4/17/2025House
  9. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    4/17/2025Senate
  10. House conferees appointed: Manning and Moed

    4/15/2025House
  11. House advisors appointed: Mayfield, Lehman, Lucas, Miller K and Summers

    4/15/2025House
  12. Senate advisors appointed: Niezgodski and Busch

    4/14/2025Senate
  13. House dissented from Senate amendments

    4/14/2025House
  14. Motion to dissent filed

    4/14/2025House
  15. Senate conferees appointed: Alting and Jackson L

    4/14/2025Senate
  16. Returned to the House with amendments

    4/2/2025Senate
  17. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 320: yeas 44, nays 6

    4/1/2025Senate
  18. Senator Randolph added as cosponsor

    4/1/2025Senate
  19. Amendment #2 (Alting) prevailed; voice vote

    3/31/2025Senate
  20. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    3/31/2025Senate
  21. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    3/20/2025Senate
  22. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Policy

    2/18/2025Senate
  23. Referred to the Senate

    1/29/2025House
  24. Senate sponsor: Senator Alting

    1/28/2025House
  25. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 20: yeas 91, nays 0

    1/28/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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