Published on: December 2, 2025, 08:18h.
Updated on: December 2, 2025, 08:18h.
- Proposed legislation in Indiana aims to establish a casino in Allen County
- Allen County encompasses the city of Fort Wayne
Recently introduced legislation in Indiana may pave the way for Full House Resorts to close its Rising Sun Casino and potentially shift operations to Fort Wayne, New Haven, or another location within Allen County.
On Monday, State Representative Chad Snow (R-Warsaw) introduced a bill in the House that would enable the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to receive applications for a casino license in Allen County, which is the third most populated county in Indiana and home to the state’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne.
In October, a legislatively mandated study conducted by the IGC determined that northern Indiana, particularly Fort Wayne, presents a promising market for casino development. Leading gaming consulting firm Spectrum Gaming estimated that a casino in or near Fort Wayne could yield annual gross gaming revenue exceeding $204 million.
Indiana’s 2026 legislative session commenced on December 1, 2025, and will continue through late February.
Details of the Casino Bill
Snow’s House Bill 1038 would enable companies to bid on the opportunity to establish a casino in Allen County. The successful bidder would be required to pay a one-time fee of $50 million for obtaining the gaming license.
The legislation anticipates that the state will gather approximately $38.3 million in annual gaming taxes from the Allen County casino, in addition to the initial $50 million payment. This estimate considers a projected $4.3 million decrease in wagering taxes from the two racinos in Anderson and Shelbyville.
HB1038 has been assigned to the House Public Policy Committee for initial assessment. This committee is led by Representative Ethan Manning, who has been advocating for the legalization of iGaming.
The bill has garnered backing from Greater Fort Wayne Inc., a business and economic development organization that recently launched the Fort Wayne First campaign, aimed at facilitating the development of a “world-class destination” in Northeast Indiana.
“The economic repercussions of a casino in Fort Wayne would extend well beyond the initial investment of over $500 million. It would usher in lasting benefits for our city and the wider region. Our aspiration is to create an entertainment model in Allen County that blends opportunity, enjoyment, and responsibility for the lasting advantage of the entire community,” states the campaign’s website.
The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana also supports the initiative.
“The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana endorses and will advocate for a gaming license to be relocated or granted to a community in Northeast Indiana,” said Chamber President and CEO Bill Konyha last month. “We believe this is a strong economic development project that will generate numerous jobs and, most importantly, create substantial state and local tax revenue.”
Interest from Full House
Full House Resorts has been actively lobbying for permission to transfer its Indiana gaming license from Rising Sun to a more lucrative market in Allen County. A previous bill that sought to facilitate this in exchange for a $150 million fee did not pass.
Full House has proposed a $500 million investment in New Haven, which would feature 1,400 slot machines, 50 gaming tables, a sportsbook, a 200-room hotel, event facilities, and a concert venue.
Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about permitting a company to relocate solely due to underperformance, favoring a comprehensive market study instead.