Indiana lawmakers just handed four northern counties a golden ticket. On Monday, the House voted 68-28 to approve a bill that lets the Rising Star Casino leave its Ohio River home and relocate inland, with Allen County now squarely in the crosshairs.
The move could bring hundreds of millions in new investment and thousands of jobs to northeast Indiana, but it has also sparked fierce local debate about gambling addiction, traffic, and changing the character of Fort Wayne forever.
Bill Clears House with Strong Support
House Bill 1010 passed Monday afternoon after weeks of intense committee hearings. State Rep. Martin Carbaugh, the Fort Wayne Republican who authored the measure, called it “the biggest economic development opportunity Allen County has seen in decades.”
The legislation allows any current Indiana casino license holder to bid on relocating the Rising Star Casino from Rising Sun to one of four counties: Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, or Wayne.
Rising Star’s current owner, Full House Resorts, has already signaled strong interest in Fort Wayne.
The company told 21Alive News it is prepared to invest up to $300 million in a new resort-style casino along the I-69 corridor if selected.
Local approval remains required. Any host city or county must pass a referendum or get council approval before construction can begin.
Four Counties Compete for Massive Project
The bill deliberately spreads the opportunity across northeast Indiana:
- Allen County (Fort Wayne metro, population 390,000+)
- DeKalb County (Auburn area)
- Steuben County (Angola and lake country)
- Wayne County (Richmond near Ohio border)
Fort Wayne leaders have been the most aggressive. Mayor Sharon Tucker formed a casino task force last fall and has openly courted casino operators.
“We are not chasing gambling,” Tucker said Monday. “We are chasing jobs, tax revenue, and destination development that will benefit every resident.”
Rising Star currently employs about 900 people in far southern Indiana. Developers say the new location could create 1,200 permanent jobs and another 1,000 construction positions.
Local Battle Lines Already Drawn
Not everyone is celebrating.
A coalition of churches and social service groups launched an anti-casino campaign Monday night, releasing ads featuring recovering gambling addicts.
“One casino in Fort Wayne means one more place for our neighbors to lose everything,” said Pastor James Powell of Come As You Are Community Church.
The group points to studies showing problem gambling rates spike when casinos open nearby.
On the other side, a new nonprofit called Hoosiers for Opportunity began running pro-casino ads Tuesday morning. Their spots highlight empty storefronts downtown and promise new tax money for schools and roads.
Economic Impact Could Transform Region
Supporters cite hard numbers from similar relocations.
When Horseshoe Casino moved from Elizabeth to land-based Harrison County in 2021, annual tax revenue jumped from $28 million to over $70 million in the first full year.
Allen County officials estimate a Fort Wayne casino would generate:
- $15-20 million annually in local wage taxes
- $8-12 million in property taxes
- Up to $50 million in state gaming taxes shared back to local governments
“That kind of money changes everything,” said Allen County Commissioner Rich Beck. “We could finally fix our roads without raising property taxes.”
Senate Vote Looms as Real Test
The bill now heads to the Indiana Senate, where similar casino expansion measures have died in recent years.
Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray has not committed to bringing it up for a vote.
Casino interests are already mobilizing. Sources tell 21Alive that gaming companies have booked hotel blocks in Indianapolis for the coming weeks and are preparing major lobbying efforts.
If passed and signed by Governor Mike Braun, the bidding process would begin this summer, with a potential opening date as early as late 2027.
Fort Wayne’s future could soon look very different, with flashing lights, hotel towers, and thousands of visitors streaming off I-69 every weekend. Whether that’s progress or a gamble too far remains the question dividing neighbors across Allen County right now.
What do you think, Fort Wayne? Is this the economic boost our region needs, or are we inviting problems we can’t control? Drop your thoughts below and tag #FortWayneCasino if you’re sharing on social media.
