State lawmakers continue to struggle with casino referendums
Efforts to relocate an underperforming Indiana casino license to New Haven have hit a roadblock this year, but a new bill aims to keep the conversation going. State Sen. Andy Zay has introduced a proposal that would require an independent study to evaluate the best locations in Indiana for a potential casino.
Earlier this year, Zay had pushed for legislation that would have allowed Full House Resorts to move its casino license from Rising Sun to Allen County. The proposal was discussed in a Senate Public Policy Committee hearing, but no vote was taken, effectively halting the plan. Rather than letting the issue fade, Zay has now introduced Senate Bill 43, which calls for the Indiana Gaming Commission to commission a study on the three most viable locations for a casino in the state.
Zay believes Indiana needs to take a more strategic approach to casino licensing, citing market conditions and the performance of existing casinos. He hopes that an independent analysis will give lawmakers a clearer understanding of where gaming operations would be most successful.
The proposed study would examine market saturation and profitability, helping to determine whether certain areas, such as New Haven, could support a new casino without negatively impacting others. Full House Resorts had pushed for a move to New Haven due to its location near Fort Wayne, the largest metro area in Indiana without a casino. The company argued that a New Haven casino would attract players from Michigan and Ohio rather than cutting into the revenue of other Indiana casinos.
The bill has been assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee, though a hearing has not yet been scheduled. If passed, the study could shape future casino expansion discussions and influence where Indiana gaming licenses are placed.
