Fort Wayne Casino Bill Advances with Senate Approval, Moves Toward House Review

Progress on the Fort Wayne Casino Bill

The casino legislation for Fort Wayne has recently achieved a significant milestone by receiving approval from the Senate Public Policy Committee. Meanwhile, a different bill in the House did not progress to a vote.

Steps Toward Casino Relocation in Northeast Indiana

For some time, Indiana legislators have been exploring options to bring a casino to the northeast region of the state. Various proposals have been introduced, with some aiming to relocate an existing casino license and others advocating for the issuance of a new license.

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 70 was unanimously approved by the Senate Public Policy Committee. This bill proposes moving the Ohio County casino license to Fort Wayne in Allen County. The next stage will see the bill presented to the Indiana House when it reconvenes in January.

Senate Bill 70 was sponsored by Senator Justin Busch, a Republican from Fort Wayne, who has been a prominent supporter of the relocation effort. Key reasons behind relocating the Rising Star Casino from Ohio County include its declining income due to competition from nearby casinos in Ohio and Kentucky, and Fort Wayne’s potential to become a major gaming hub, being Indiana’s second-largest city.

Fort Wayne’s Mayor, Sharon Tucker, endorses the relocation, viewing it as a significant opportunity for the city’s growth and development.

The casino operator, Full House Resorts, which runs the Rising Star Casino, also supports this move. The company had supported a similar proposal last year, though it did not succeed then.

Under the terms of Senate Bill 70, if passed, Full House Resorts would be required to pay $25 million for the relocation and invest $500 million in amenities beyond gaming within Allen County.

Alternative Proposal for a New Casino License

Separately, there was a bill introduced in the House last week aiming to create a 14th casino license in the state. Although gaining some attention, this bill did not come to a vote. House Bill 1038 proposed awarding the new license through a competitive process, with a minimum licensing fee of $50 million required from the successful bidder.

The majority of these initiatives are concentrated on Fort Wayne as studies identify it as the most suitable location for a new or relocated casino. While Indianapolis ranks highest in potential revenue generation, experts caution that establishing a casino there could undermine profits at smaller casinos in Shelbyville and Anderson.