While passage is not guaranteed, surviving this far keeps the effort firmly alive for now
Indiana lawmakers took another step this week toward possibly relocating a casino license within the state, as House Bill 1038 cleared its second reading in the Indiana House of Representatives.
The bill focuses on moving a casino license currently tied to Ohio County to a new location. Under the latest version, four counties are eligible to pursue the license: Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, and Wayne. Three of those are located in northeast Indiana, widening the conversation well beyond the bill’s original scope.
HB 1038 advanced yesterday after being ordered engrossed, which means it is now eligible for a third and final House vote. Since its first reading, the proposal has been adjusted through committee work, including an amendment that expanded the list of potential host counties.
One amendment that did gain approval would give local voters a say. The change allows counties interested in hosting the casino to place a public question on the 2026 general election ballot. The Indiana Gaming Commission would then be allowed to factor both the presence of that vote and its outcome into its final decision.
Several other proposed amendments were either rejected or never discussed. These included ideas to add or remove counties from consideration and proposals that would require financial payments to the state to support services in both Ohio County and the county receiving the casino.
The bill’s author, Rep. Craig Snow, was joined this week by three coauthors, signaling broader support within the House. Additional amendments can still be introduced, though future changes would require a two-thirds majority to pass.
If HB 1038 clears its third reading, it will move to the Indiana Senate, where it must repeat the same committee and floor process.
