The dispute signals a busy period ahead for Indiana gaming policies with an unclear future
Efforts to bring a new casino to Fort Wayne, IN, are facing growing resistance from an organized but anonymous opposition group. The proposed project has sparked debate across northeastern Indiana, with supporters pointing to economic development and critics warning of long-term social costs.
The group, calling itself Save Fort Wayne, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the plan. Its members, described as local residents, business owners, and faith leaders, are working to slow or stop legislation that would allow a casino to open in the city. The group is not registered as a political action committee, but its public presence is expanding.
Two bills currently sit at the center of the debate. House Bill 1038 would authorize a brand-new casino license in Allen County, requiring a $50 million fee paid to the Indiana Gaming Commission. Senate Bill 70 offers a different route, allowing the Rising Star Casino to relocate from southeastern Indiana to Fort Wayne under a separate fee structure and investment requirement.
Save Fort Wayne argues that a casino would bring more harm than benefit. The group has raised concerns about gambling addiction, crime, and what it describes as money being pulled out of the local economy. Its website highlights social risks and questions whether promised jobs and tax revenue would offset potential damage.
Local officials remain divided. Some see the casino as a chance to boost development and create a new revenue stream, while industry groups have urged caution. Several have expressed preference for relocation over adding a new casino to the state’s market.
The outcome remains uncertain, but the dispute signals a busy period ahead for Indiana gaming policy. Lawmakers are also reviewing online casino legalization and restrictions on sweepstakes platforms, making 2026 a potentially pivotal year for the state’s gambling landscape.
