Indiana casino proposal faces senate uncertainty
A proposal to establish a new Indiana casino is facing hurdles in the state Senate. On Wednesday, the Senate’s Public Policy Committee reviewed major changes to a House-approved bill that would transfer the licence from Rising Sun, a struggling Ohio River casino.
The committee advanced House Bill 1038 on 2 February by a 67–30 vote, sending it to another Senate panel without adopting amendments. Chair Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) suggested alternatives, including issuing a new licence rather than transferring Rising Sun’s.
The bill, authored by Rep. Craig Snow and co-authored by Reps. Brad Barret, Tony Isa, and Philip GiaQuinta, are sponsored in the Senate by Justin Busch, Ryan Mishler, Chris Garten, and Randy Maxell.
Proposed changes
Lawmakers are considering revisions that would limit potential casino sites to Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties, while removing Wayne County from eligibility. The measure would also require local referendums before a county could host a casino.
Alting emphasised that negotiations remain fluid, with Senate Republican leaders continuing deliberations. The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee, which faces a 19 February deadline to advance it to the full chamber. Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray has signalled openness to debate, noting that interest is building within his caucus, though amendments remain pending.
Community support and opposition
Wayne County leaders, including Chamber of Commerce president Melissa Vance, strongly support the proposal. A state-commissioned study last October ranked Richmond as the third most promising casino site, behind Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
As quoted in the local media outlet, the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Vance said there is a coalition of people that are all aligned, signalling the passion and the interest in the new casino.
Opposition is strongest in Allen County, where residents cite risks of gambling addiction, crime, and declining property values. Kristen Bissontz of the Coalition for a Better Allen County noted the lack of grassroots or official support for a casino.
Save Fort Wayne, a coalition of business and finance professionals, has also campaigned against the project, calling for a referendum and warning of social costs. For one, at a 20 January public hearing in Fort Wayne, about 300 attendees echoed the same concerns as Allen County.
Economic stakes
Rising Sun casino currently generates $42 million annually, contributing $3.6 million in state gaming taxes. Full House Resorts, owner of Rising Star Casino, has previously lobbied to relocate operations to Fort Wayne, though earlier efforts stalled. A recent study published last year projected that an Allen County casino could generate $204 million in revenue and $61 million in taxes each year.
Local officials in Rising Sun and Ohio County worry about losing jobs and tax revenue if the licence is transferred. Alting acknowledged these concerns, suggesting that issuing a new licence might preserve Rising Star Casino while allowing expansion elsewhere, as reported by multiple local media reports. The Indiana Gaming Commission would oversee bids, requiring at least $500 million in investment over five years. While Alting expects Senate approval, the bill’s final form remains uncertain.
Stay ahead of iGaming’s biggest stories with SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown. The world’s biggest iGaming community brings you weekly insights and subscriber-only offers. Join HERE today.
