Indiana is opening a competitive bidding process for a new casino license in the state's northeast region.
This follows the passage of House Bill 1038 (HB 1038), a process marked by contention and multiple amendments. It has already been signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun.
HB 1038 does not expand the total number of gaming licenses in the state. Instead, it converts one unused off-track betting (OTB) license—previously held by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission—into a full casino license, either riverboat or inland casino. A second unused OTB license is eliminated, keeping the overall count of gaming licenses unchanged.
Northeast Indiana has been viewed as an "open pocket" for gaming, with limited nearby casino options compared to other parts of the state, effectively paving the way for what would be Indiana's 14th casino.
How the New Indiana Casino Bill Evolved
The original versions of the bill focused on relocating the underperforming Rising Star Casino license from Rising Sun (Ohio County) in southern Indiana to the northeast.
Later amendments changed the approach to avoid disrupting the existing operator, Full House Resorts, by using the dormant horse racing license instead. Earlier versions included Wayne County, but it was removed from the final eligible list.
The new casino license is authorized for one of three counties in northeast Indiana:
Allen County (Fort Wayne area): From the outset, this has been the strongest focus. It is home to Fort Wayne, the largest population center in the region. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker and Allen County Commissioners have actively supported bringing a casino to the area, including agreeing on how local tax revenue would be shared. Local business groups like Greater Fort Wayne Inc. have campaigned ("Fort Wayne First") for this cause. Many early bill versions specifically targeted Allen County for a casino in or near Fort Wayne. A successful bid would likely result in development near the Fort Wayne metro area.
DeKalb County: Located just north of Allen County around Auburn, a state-commissioned study by Spectrum Gaming Group highlighted an area near I-69 and State Road 8 as having strong potential due to highway access and an ability to draw visitors from Fort Wayne, Michigan, and Ohio. It was frequently cited as a top "northeast Indiana" location in the study.
Steuben County: Further northeast around Angola, near the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) and the Michigan border. Local leaders have proposed sites at major highway intersections to capture cross-border traffic.
Local leaders in these counties, especially in Steuben and Allen, have actively pitched their areas, emphasizing proximity to major highways like I-69 and the Indiana Toll Road, potential to draw visitors from Michigan and Ohio, and economic development opportunities.
Some public opposition has emerged, particularly in Allen County, leading to the inclusion of a mandatory local referendum requirement. Voters in the chosen county must approve the casino via ballot before the license can be awarded.
How The Bidding Process Will Work
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) will run a competitive bidding process, which includes:
- Applications are due by Tuesday, December 1, 2026 (note: this appears to be the 2026 deadline based on the article's timing and process).
- The IGC will review proposals and is expected to make a decision afterward (earlier versions of the bill referenced a target of April 15, 2027, for final approvals).
- Bidding is open to casino operators (potentially including those from outside Indiana, depending on final rules).
- The selected developer must meet significant financial hurdles:
- A $150 million application/transfer fee.
- At least $500 million investment in the construction and development of the new casino facility within five years of opening.
A prior study by the IGC, released in 2025, identified strong potential demand in the region, with even higher demand projected in Indianapolis—though that area was not included in this plan.
Supporters argue that the project could boost jobs, tourism, and tax revenue without significantly cannibalizing existing casinos. Critics have raised concerns about problem gambling, local opposition, and impacts on state revenue from the current setup.
The process is just getting underway, with bidding opening soon.
No specific developers have been publicly announced as frontrunners yet, and outcomes will depend on the applications received and the IGC's review. The chosen casino site and operator could bring substantial economic activity—but only if the county's voters approve it locally.
