Published on: January 23, 2026, 08:00h.
Updated on: January 23, 2026, 08:00h.
- Indiana’s lawmakers are contemplating the approval of a new casino in a separate county
- Multiple counties are advocating for the opportunity to host a casino resort
- Fort Wayne in Allen County is currently leading the race
Indiana officials are looking into potential changes regarding casino operations. Should a new venue be greenlit, several counties are eager to be included in the prospects.
Rep. Chad Snow (R-Warsaw) has introduced House Bill 1038, which aims to permit a casino in Allen County, likely in or close to Fort Wayne, for a one-time licensing fee set at $80 million. A study commissioned by the Indiana Gaming Commission last year indicated that Fort Wayne lacks gaming options and represents a promising market for a casino.
Full House Resorts has actively lobbied state authorities to move its Rising Star casino license from Rising Sun to a more desirable area. Since discussions about gaming expansion began, various counties have shown interest in being contenders.
During discussions of HB1038 at the House Public Policy Committee last Thursday, the committee voted to include additional counties as potential hosts for the casino.
Legislation Reserved for Full House Resorts
The proposed legislation allows only the current Ohio County casino owner to acquire the license associated with HB1038.
Out of the initial $80 million fee, $50 million would be allocated to the state, while the remaining $30 million would be distributed to Rising Sun and Ohio County. Additionally, Full House Resorts must invest a minimum of $500 million in developing the new casino.
If Full House decides to sell the casino license within ten years of its approval, they must pay the state an extra $50 million before the Indiana Gaming Commission can authorize the transfer.
The Public Policy Committee also included Wayne, DeKalb, and Steuben counties in the potential list of new casino locations last Thursday.
Despite the addition of Wayne, DeKalb, and Steuben counties to HB1038, Public Policy Committee Chair Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) believes that Allen County and Fort Wayne continue to be the most viable options, as Full House has shown interest in those areas.
“These counties are included because they have demonstrated interest in hosting a casino,” Manning stated as reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. “Their local governments have expressed significant alignment on the matter.”
Recently, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. launched a campaign to showcase the advantages of establishing a casino in Indiana’s second-largest city. However, there is also resistance, evident in a television and radio campaign named “Save Fort Wayne,” supported by an anonymous group of local business leaders.
Pros and Cons of the Casino
Supporters of the proposed casino in Fort Wayne assert that a gaming resort costing over $500 million would create nearly 1,000 permanent jobs and generate over $41 million in local tax revenue from gaming operations, lodging, dining, and real estate taxes.
“The findings highlight the long-term benefits of this initiative,” stated Greater Fort Wayne Inc. regarding the study completed by the commercial real estate firm, CBRE.
Conversely, the Save Fort Wayne coalition expresses disagreement.
The opposition argues that a casino would lead to a “net loss” for the city, inciting issues like addiction and crime. They contend that while job creation and tax benefits are promising, the casino could also precipitate bankruptcy, divorce, mental health crises, child neglect, fatal incidents, poverty, and human trafficking.