If Indiana Expands Casino Gambling, Several Counties Want To Be Considered
Posted on: January 23, 2026, 08:00h.
Last updated on: January 23, 2026, 08:00h.
- Indiana lawmakers are considering allowing a new casino in a new county
- Several counties are lobbying for the consideration of hosting a casino resort
- Allen County’s Fort Wayne is the front-runner
Indiana lawmakers could alter where casinos are allowed to operate. If a new location is approved, several counties want to be considered.
Indiana Rep. Chad Snow (R-Warsaw) is behind House Bill 1038. Snow’s original text sought to allow a casino in Allen County, likely in or near Fort Wayne, for a one-time licensing fee of $80 million. A study commissioned by the Indiana Gaming Commission last year determined that Fort Wayne is underserved by gaming and would be an attractive market for a casino.
Full House Resorts has been lobbying state lawmakers to allow it to relocate its Rising Star casino license in Rising Sun to a more attractive region. Since the gaming expansion talks began, several counties have expressed interest in being considered.
As HB1038 was discussed in the House Public Policy Committee on Thursday, the committee agreed to add additional counties as possible hosts.
Bill Reserved for Full House Resorts
Snow’s legislation qualifies only the owner of a current casino in Ohio County to purchase the HB1038 license.
$50 million of the upfront fee would go to the state, with the remaining $30 million to Rising Sun and Ohio County. Full House Resorts would additionally need to invest a minimum of $500 million in the new casino.
If Full House sells the casino license within 10 years of being approved, the company would need to pay the state an additional $50 million before the Indiana Gaming Commission would be able to sign off on the transfer.
On Thursday, the Public Policy Committee added Wayne, DeKalb, and Steuben counties to the list of possible new destinations.
While Wayne, DeKalb, and Steuben counties were added to HB1038, Public Policy Committee Chair Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) believes Allen County and Fort Wayne remain the frontrunners, as that’s where Full House expressed interest.
These counties are included because they have, in one way or another, raised their hands as being interested,” Manning said, as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. “They have a significant amount of alignment within their local governments.”
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. recently launched a publicity campaign highlighting the benefits of a casino for Indiana’s second most populous city. But there’s also opposition, with an anonymous group of area business leaders behind the “Save Fort Wayne” television and radio blitz.
Pros and Cons
Proponents of a casino in Fort Wayne say a more than half-billion dollar gaming resort would create almost 1,000 permanent jobs and more than $41 million in annual local tax revenue from gaming, hotel stays, food and beverage, and property taxes.
“The findings demonstrate long-term value,” Greater Fort Wayne Inc. said of its commissioned study completed by commercial real estate firm CBRE.
Save Fort Wayne disagrees.
The opposition claims a casino would be a “net loss” for the city with heightened addiction and crime. The campaign says a casino might bring jobs and taxes but also bankruptcies, divorces, mental health issues, child neglect, fatal accidents, poverty, and human trafficking.
No comments yet