The bill could considerably alter the state’s gambling landscape
A bill that could shape the future of casino gaming in Indiana is now waiting for Governor Mike Braun’s signature. Senate Bill 43 aims to launch a detailed study into whether relocating existing casinos to different parts of the state would make sense economically.
The proposal, backed by Senators Andy Zay, Ron Alting, and Lonnie Randolph, tasks the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) with hiring an independent research group to evaluate potential new markets. The goal is to find two regions in Indiana where moving a casino license could bring in more gaming revenue, increase job opportunities, and generate additional tax dollars for the state.
One of the main concerns raised by lawmakers is that the southeastern region of Indiana currently has too many casinos packed into one area. Properties like Caesars Southern Indiana, Belterra, Hollywood, and Rising Star are all located near the Kentucky border, and some officials believe they’re fighting over the same customer base. Senator Zay believes shifting a license to the northeast part of the state could bring economic development to a region that hasn’t yet tapped into the gaming industry.
The bill is a follow-up to a stand-alone initiative earlier this year to move the Rising Star Casino from Ohio County to New Haven in Allen County that did not pass. That proposal, SB293, would have allowed Full House Resorts to spend $500 million on a new casino project outside of Fort Wayne. Lawmakers instead opted to look at more far-reaching alternatives by doing a statewide study.
If SB43 becomes law, the IGC will move forward with selecting a research firm. That firm will be responsible for examining the revenue potential of new locations, the effect on existing casinos, out-of-state visitor trends, and impacts on tourism and horse racing. The final report is due by November 1, 2025.
