Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, is excluded from consideration
Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that could reshape where casino gaming is located in the state, following a strong vote in the House of Representatives. House Bill 1038 cleared the chamber on February 2 by a 67–30 margin and is now headed to the Senate Committee on Public Policy. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, with limited time left in the legislative session.
The proposal would allow four counties—Allen, Steuben, DeKalb, and Wayne—to compete for a casino license tied to the Rising Star Casino Resort in Rising Sun. Notably, Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, is excluded from consideration. The Senate must pass the bill by the end of the month for it to remain viable this year.
Rising Star, operated by Full House Resorts, has struggled financially for years, largely due to nearby casino growth in Ohio and Kentucky. While Full House has pushed for relocation in the past, those efforts stalled until lawmakers ordered a formal market study last year. That report pointed to Indianapolis and Fort Wayne as the strongest options, but only the northeast Indiana region made it into the final bill.
Concerns about harming existing casinos appear to have played a role in keeping Indianapolis out. The study found that a casino in the capital would likely pull revenue from nearby properties such as Horseshoe Indianapolis and Harrah’s Hoosier Park, both tied to the state’s horse racing industry. Fort Wayne showed lower upside but less disruption.
Under the bill, all four counties could submit bids, and any of Indiana’s current casino operators would be allowed to apply. Local government support would be required, but no public vote would be held. The Indiana Gaming Commission would select a winner by April 15, 2027.
Financial terms include a $500 million minimum investment and a $50 million relocation fee paid over five years. One open question remains compensation for Rising Sun and Ohio County, as the proposed $30 million payment has drawn criticism for falling short of current tax revenue levels.
