Sen. Justin Busch described the measure as an opportunity for long-term economic growth
Indiana lawmakers have approved a bill that could bring a new casino to the Fort Wayne area, sending the measure to Mike Braun for final consideration. The proposal cleared both chambers on Feb. 27 after lawmakers agreed to add voter referendums in three northeast Indiana counties.
Under the plan, residents in Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties would vote this November on whether to allow a casino in their community. The referendum requirement was added after the bill narrowly passed the Senate earlier in the week without those provisions.
Rep. Craig Snow said most House Republicans supported giving voters the final say. He told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that broad public backing is essential for any gambling expansion. Lawmakers ultimately agreed the bill would not move forward without direct input from local residents.
If voters approve a casino, the Indiana Gaming Commission would review applications and must select a winning proposal by April 15, 2027. The chosen operator would be required to invest at least $500 million in the project within five years and pay a $150 million licensing fee to the state.
The legislation marks what could become Indiana’s largest gambling expansion since 2019, when casinos were approved in Terre Haute and Gary and sports betting was legalized. A separate push to build a casino in Indianapolis did not gain support, partly due to concerns about competition with casinos in Shelbyville and Anderson.
An earlier version of the bill proposed relocating the struggling casino in Rising Sun. That idea was dropped after local officials objected, citing the casino’s role as the area’s largest employer and a key source of tax revenue.
