Fort Wayne, Indiana – A surprise letter signed by the mayor and county commissioners backing a casino in Allen County has sparked outrage among residents who say they were completely shut out of the process. Now, after weeks of growing anger, the Allen County Council has called a public forum for Tuesday night at Memorial Coliseum, where hundreds are expected to finally speak out on the two casino bills racing through the Indiana Statehouse.
Public Forum Set for Tuesday at 6 PM as Tensions Boil Over
The special meeting comes after residents blasted local leaders for quietly negotiating behind closed doors. County Council member Lindsey Hammond admitted the public has been left in the dark.
“Yes, the public’s voice has been missing,” Hammond told 21Alive. “A lot of people were caught off guard by that letter.”
The forum will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. inside Memorial Coliseum’s conference center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and officials warn parking will fill up fast.
All Allen County state lawmakers have been invited, along with the county commissioners who signed the controversial support letter.
Two Casino Bills, Two Very Different Plans
Indiana lawmakers are pushing two separate paths to bring gambling to Allen County:
- Senate Bill 70 (authored by Sen. Travis Holdman and Sen. Andy Zay) would let the Rising Star Casino in southeast Indiana relocate its license to Fort Wayne.
- House Bill 1038 (authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh and Rep. Kyle Pierce) would create a brand-new casino license for Allen County without moving an existing one.
Both bills have already passed their first readings and are moving quickly through committee.
Where the Money Would Go: The Deal That Sparked the Backlash
The letter signed by Mayor Sharon Tucker and the three Allen County Commissioners promises that if a casino comes:
- 60% of tax revenue would go to local governments based on population
- 40% would fund a new humanitarian grant program targeting mental health, homelessness, and addiction services
Critics call it a backroom deal that ignores the social costs of gambling.
Kristen Bissontz with the Coalition for a Better Allen County says residents deserved a seat at the table long before leaders put their names on that letter.
“There was zero public discussion,” Bissontz said. “Not one town hall, not one survey, nothing. Then suddenly our mayor and commissioners tell Indianapolis ‘yes, please send us a casino.’ People are furious.”
Rising Opposition: Faith Leaders, Recovery Groups, and Everyday Residents Speak Out
Opposition has exploded in the past week.
More than a dozen pastors have signed a letter urging lawmakers to reject both bills. Recovery advocates point to studies showing problem gambling spikes near casinos. Parents worry about the message it sends to kids.
On social media, the hashtag #NoCasinoFortWayne has surged past 8,000 posts on X and Instagram in just days, with residents sharing personal stories of gambling addiction in their families.
One viral post from a local teacher read: “We don’t need slot machines. We need better schools, safer streets, and help for people already struggling. This isn’t progress.”
What Happens Next
Tuesday’s public forum will not be a vote, but lawmakers will be watching closely. Several legislators have said they want to hear from constituents before taking final positions.
The Indiana Gaming Commission has also confirmed that whichever bill passes, the new casino would likely open in 2028 or 2029 if approved this session.
For now, one thing is clear: Fort Wayne residents who felt ignored for months finally have a microphone, and they plan to use it.
Come to Memorial Coliseum Tuesday night and make your voice heard. If you can’t attend, live-stream links will be posted on the county website. And if you’re talking about this online, keep #NoCasinoFortWayne trending, because this fight is far from over.
