TITLE 68 INDIANA GAMING COMMISSION

Economic Impact Statement

LSA Document #06-190

Based on Indiana Gaming Commission staff discussions with riverboat licensees, it is estimated that not more than 2 small businesses in the express company and money courier industries could be affected by this rule, and many such companies that service riverboat licensees will not be affected at all by this rule. The waiver process set up by this rule is familiar to licensees and will only be used in specific and limited circumstances. The cost of compliance with a waiver will only occur in the specific limited circumstances and is expected to be minimal to none. In the most likely instance, a licensee applies for a waiver of the rule, the waiver is granted, and the licensee's contracted express company will then be able to arm its couriers in certain high security circumstances. Express companies have indicated that being able to protect couriered cash with armed personnel will actually save them money in the form of lower insurance premiums. It will also save these companies the time it takes for the courier to check a weapon and pick up a gaming agent or security guard to accompany the courier onto the riverboat to protect the cash parcels.

No less intrusive or less costly alternative would achieve the purpose of this proposed rule. As this rule creates a waiver procedure, the only less intrusive or less costly method would be no waiver requirements at all, which would only be less intrusive or costly to the riverboat licensees, who are not small businesses. The couriers and express companies would encounter the same changes if the waiver provision were changed to allow weapons on board without a waiver, and this change would not achieve the purpose of the proposed rule, which is to allow the Executive Director or the Commission to determine how to balance the interests of keeping patrons safe from unnecessary weapons on board with the interests of the express companies, gaming agents, and licensees in not being unduly burdened with unnecessary procedures.

Also, there are no less stringent compliance or reporting requirements and no less stringent schedules or deadlines that would achieve the purpose of this rule as there is nothing of the sort included in the rule. No design, operational, or performance standards are imposed by this rule. Exemption of small businesses from the requirements of this rule would not achieve any useful difference from the rule as written, because small businesses are not required to apply for the waivers; their ability to be armed is only impacted insofar as the riverboat licensee applies for a waiver.

DIN: 20060823-IR-068060190EIA

Composed: May 07,2024 2:08:26AM EDT

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