Full House Resorts Speculates Northeast Indiana Casino Opposition Funded by Michigan Tribe
Posted on: March 6, 2026, 10:34h.
Last updated on: March 6, 2026, 10:34h.
- Is a gaming tribe in Michigan funding an opposition campaign for a casino in Northeast Indiana?
- Full House Resorts CEO Daniel Lee is speculating on who is behind the anti-casino movement
Full House Resorts CEO Daniel Lee speculated on his company’s full-year earnings call on Thursday that a Native American tribe in Southern Michigan is likely funding an opposition group to a commercial casino in Northeast Indiana.
Earlier this month, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed House Bill 1038 into law. The enrolled act permits the counties of Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben to ask voters if they want to allow a casino with slot machines, table games, and a sportsbook.
The legislation came at the request of Full House, which is seeking to relocate its gaming license in Rising Sun to a more attractive market. The bill originally sought to simply grant Full House the right to shutter its Rising Star Casino in Ohio County and construct a new gaming facility in Northeast Indiana, most likely somewhere in or near Fort Wayne.
During the lawmaking process, however, politicians overhauled the statute to create a new gaming concession. Instead of allocating the license for Full House, the bill was amended to allow “any operator of a brick and mortar casino located in the United States” to apply.
Fort Wayne Opposition
Full House has targeted Fort Wayne, Indiana’s second most populous city, for a casino development. But soon after expressing those intentions publicly, a well-funded opposition group called “Save Fort Wayne” emerged.
The campaign claims to be backed by area businessowners and “concerned residents” who wish to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the matter. Lee thinks it’s likelier that a gaming tribe in Southeast Michigan is behind the movement.
I’m guessing it’s an Indian tribe in Southern Michigan or something along those lines, somebody who might be hurt by this,” Lee said on the earnings call. “It’s clearly well-funded by somebody.”
Lee also discussed whether the casino opportunity authorized by HB1038 is still attractive now that lawmakers want a $150 million upfront fee and a minimum investment of $500 million, bringing the cost of entry to $650 million. Lee seemed to suggest that Full House might stay put in Rising Sun.
“This is a long process and a rapidly evolving one. That bill changed many times. We’ll continue to watch it and see. We make money in Rising Sun. We always have, not a lot of money, but we make money. We continue to make money in Rising Sun. And we will continue to do that for our shareholders as well as for the good of the state.”
Ohio County, Not Full House, Protected
The Indiana casino bill protects Ohio County, as $50 million of the $150 million licensing fee would go to the “shuttered riverboat fund.” That account would help any county where a casino is shuttered to relocate to the northeast region.
The early texts of HB1038 provided protection for Full House, should it not be the winning bidder for the new gaming concession. But lawmakers removed that language to get the bill passed.
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