Indiana Casino Bidding for Northeast License Begins. Will Any Companies Bet?
Posted on: March 26, 2026, 11:46h.
Last updated on: March 26, 2026, 11:46h.
- Indiana is fielding applications for a casino in the northeastern part of the state
- Casino proposals can target Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties
- A casino in Fort Wayne is most likely to be pitched
The Indiana Gaming Commission is fielding bids for a casino development in the northeastern part of the Hoosier State.
Earlier this month, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed House Bill 1038 into law. The measure allows the counties of Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben to be targeted for a commercial casino with slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting.
Local voters have the final say through a county ballot referendum. If a majority backs a gaming question, the IGC would be cleared to issue the winning project a casino license.
HB1038 authorizes a 14th casino license. However, if Full House Resorts wins the concession, the company is expected to shutter its Rising Star Casino in Ohio County’s Rising Sun.
Bidding Period Underway
The IGC says companies interested in applying for the Northeast Indiana casino opportunity must submit their tenders before Dec. 1, 2026. HB1038 allows “any operator of a brick and mortar casino located in the United States” to participate.
The winning bid, should it be approved by county voters, would need to pay the state a one-time fee of $150 million. The high cost might keep some otherwise would-be applicants away, including Full House, the company that lobbied state lawmakers to pass HB1038 in the first place.
During Full House’s 2025 earnings call, CEO Daniel Lee seemed less enthusiastic about closing Rising Star in favor of Northeast Indiana.
The bill changed many times. 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,” Lee said.
Lee also spoke on the odds regarding one of the three designated counties approving a casino referendum. The Full House boss said he believes a gaming tribe in Michigan is funding an opposition campaign to convince voters in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben to reject casinos.
“It’s clearly well-funded by somebody. I’m guessing it’s an Indian tribe in Southern Michigan or something along those lines, somebody who might be hurt,” Lee explained.
Fort Wayne Market
Any company that bites on the Northeast Indiana casino license will likely suggest a development in or near Fort Wayne. Spectrum Gaming determined that Indiana’s second-most populous city was the most underserved region in Indiana, aside from Indianapolis.
The IGC contracted the gaming consultancy to identify optimal areas for a new casino. Spectrum concluded that a casino in Fort Wayne could generate annual revenue of upwards of $200 million.
A casino in Indianapolis would generate almost $500 million a year in gross gaming revenue, Spectrum reported, but lawmakers opted not to include the capital city and Marion County in HB1038.
No comments yet