Political changes in the Indiana House and Senate plus the state’s need to find new funds sources, have created the most favorable setting for the approval of slot machines in Indiana horse racing tracks.

Rep. Reske, D-Anderson, has presented the House Bill 1402 which would allow 1,500 slot machines at the Hoosier Park track in Anderson and the Indiana Downs track in Shelbyville and also at two betting parlors in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

Reske expects that taxes on the machines will raise more than $200 million in profits. A portion of the money would go to the counties where the tracks are situated and the rest would go to the state to pay for such services as full-day kindergarten and health-care cover for the uninsured.