Published on: October 30, 2025, 11:11h.
Updated on: October 30, 2025, 11:11h.
- Indianapolis presents a significant opportunity in the gaming sector, according to a gaming consultant.
- Full House Resorts is aiming to transfer its Indiana casino license situated in Rising Sun.
Recent findings from a leading gaming consultancy indicate that if Indiana chooses to permit the relocation of existing casinos, it would be prudent to allow a licensee to establish operations in downtown Indianapolis.
Spectrum Gaming, a Pennsylvania-based consultancy, was assigned by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to pinpoint potential relocation sites for casinos. This study followed Full House Resorts’ unsuccessful attempts earlier in the year to convince lawmakers to shift its Rising Sun Casino Resort to a more lucrative market.
Spectrum analysts assert that Indiana’s largest city remains under-served in terms of casino offerings. The firm anticipates that a casino in the capital could yield an impressive annual gross gaming revenue of $493.3 million, contributing approximately $172.6 million in state tax revenue.
Following downtown Indianapolis, the consultancy identified northern Indiana, specifically an area northwest of Fort Wayne, as another attractive location, predicting an annual gaming revenue of over $204 million for a casino there.
Rising Sun Pursues New Opportunities
In collaboration with state Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington), Full House Resorts proposed relocating to New Haven in Allen County earlier this year. This site is located in the northeastern region of Indiana.
Zay introduced Senate Bill 293 to facilitate the movement of Full House’s Rising Sun casino license to New Haven for a fee of $150 million. The bill also mandated that the Nevada-based company would incur a $50 million penalty if it sold or transferred the license within five years of the bill’s enactment.
However, Zay’s bill was sidelined by the Senate Public Policy Committee, which favored commissioning a study by the IGC to identify optimal sites for a new casino. Full House has yet to disclose whether it is interested in investing in a downtown Indianapolis casino.
Senator Zay welcomed the findings from Spectrum.
“It’s encouraging to see this study highlight the robust economic potential of northeastern Indiana. Our region continues to exhibit growth and investment opportunities. I am eager to delve into this study and explore the potential benefits for our state and region,” remarked the senator.
However, not everyone supports the idea of allowing Rising Sun to relocate.
“Just because a casino is struggling, it doesn’t mean we should permit them to move. Do we really want them operating another casino?” questioned Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka). “Perhaps the operation is poorly managed.”
Indiana currently has 13 commercial casinos as well as the Four Winds tribal casino.
Local Opposition
Another opponent to the relocation of Rising Sun to Allen County is state Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo), representing that district.
“The Indiana Gaming Commission’s recent findings overlook the potential risks to families, schools, and public safety — concerns that my constituents and I insisted be evaluated,” stated Johnson. “We required an independent, thorough assessment of social, traffic, and infrastructure implications before making any informed decisions. Given my current understanding, I oppose this move to bring a casino to my community.”