Indiana Gaming Commission Seeks Research Firms for Riverboat Casino Relocation Study

Posted on: March 6, 2025, 09:35h. 

Last updated on: March 6, 2025, 09:55h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

• The IGC is seeking to field a study of gaming markets that might be attractive to the state’s riverboat casino operators
• An independent third party would be hired to conduct the study and make recommendations
• The state doesn’t plan to authorize additional gaming markets, but to find areas where existing riverboats could relocate

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is taking proactive steps in anticipation that it will be required to contract an independent research firm to identify untapped gaming markets that might be attractive to the Hoosier State’s current riverboat casino operators.

Senate Bill 43 hasn’t yet passed the General Assembly, but the statute that would mandate a casino market viability study sailed through the Senate last month. Introduced by Sens. Andy Zay (R-Huntington), Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), and Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago), the measure would task a contracted third-party firm specialized in gaming industry research to identify the top three regions for gaming that don’t currently have casinos.

SB43 was filed after Zay’s bill to allow Full House Resorts to relocate its Rising Star Casino Resort to New Haven failed. Full House is seeking to shutter its long-struggling Rising Sun property in favor of a $500 million investment in Northeast Indiana where the company would be freer of competition in neighboring Ohio, specifically, Hard Rock Cincinnati. 

Gaming Commission Seeks Bids 

The IGC, which regulates most forms of gambling in Indiana, including casinos, riverboats, racinos, and sports betting, is seeking bids for the market study. The solicitation period runs through March 14 at 4 pm ET.

This study is being sought in response to currently pending legislation,” the request for quotation explains. “The purpose of this Request for Quotation is to select a respondent that can satisfy the State’s need for a vendor to conduct a study on the potential relocation of gambling operations for the Indiana Gaming Commission.”

Interested companies must include in their analysis projected annual gaming revenues and tax generation in the top three unrealized gaming areas and how a casino in each area would impact other casinos. Considerations about each region’s tourism industry and its impact on horsemen and tribes are additionally to be included.

The winning bidder must agree to complete the review by Sept. 30, 2025.

The Indiana casino market study bill has been directed to the House Public Policy Committee for initial review in the lower chamber.

Riverboat Casinos 

SB43 wouldn’t expand gaming in Indiana by authorizing new casino markets. It would instead only allow the state’s current riverboat licensees to consider moving to one of the three identified markets.

Indiana is home to 10 riverboat gaming vessels located on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River. Four of those casinos built brick-and-mortar gaming facilities following a state law passed in 2015 that allowed gaming to move inland.

Indiana is additionally home to Terre Haute, a brick-and-mortar casino owned by Churchill Downs that opened last April. The Terre Haute project was controversial after a political bribery scandal was unearthed stemming from the state’s decision to expand gambling for a new land-based casino in Terre Haute.

Four Winds South Bend, a tribal casino owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, is another land-based option.