If approved, the focus will shift to which specific community and developer will lead the project
The Indiana State Senate is scheduled to hold a final vote today on a plan that could bring a casino to the northeast corner of the state. Lawmakers are considering House Bill 1038, which focuses on Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties as potential homes for a new gambling facility.
The current version of the bill is different from earlier ideas. Instead of moving an existing license from the Rising Star Casino in southeast Indiana, this version creates a new license. This change comes from an unused horse-racing permit, which helps keep the current casino in Rising Sun open.
Steuben County leaders have been vocal about wanting this opportunity. They point to the area near the Indiana Toll Road and I-69 as a perfect spot for the project. Local officials believe this location would draw in visitors and money from people living in nearby Michigan and Ohio.
Building a casino would come with a high price tag for any company involved. If the law passes, a developer would have to pay a $150 million application fee. They would also need to spend at least $500 million to build the casino and other local amenities.
There is still some debate about how much power local residents should have. While the bill has moved forward quickly, some members of the Senate want to ensure a public vote happens first. They argue that the people living in these counties should decide if they want gambling in their backyard.
