(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill that could pave the way for a casino to relocate to northeast or east-central Indiana.
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports lawmakers passed House Bill 1038 by a 67-30 vote, sending the proposal to the Indiana Senate for consideration.
The bill is designed to modernize casino license placement while maintaining continuity in Indiana's gaming industry.
No lawmakers spoke in opposition during floor debate.
If enacted, HB 1038 would allow the relocation of a casino currently licensed in Ohio County to another part of the state. Potential destinations include Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben counties in northeast Indiana, or Wayne County in east-central Indiana.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Placing a public referendum on the 2026 general election ballot, asking voters in Allen, DeKalb, Steuben and Wayne counties whether they support a casino in their area
- Establishing a process for the Indiana Gaming Commission to relocate the Ohio County casino license
- Requiring casino applications to be made public by January 2027, with a final commission decision due by April 2027
- Allowing the current license holder to continue operations until one day before the license changes ownership
The bill advanced after three readings and four amendments, with additional authors added during its final discussions last week.
A separate measure, Senate Bill 70, would specifically allow the owner of the Rising Sun Casino riverboat casino to move operations to Allen County or Fort Wayne. That bill has received its first reading in the Senate and was reassigned to the Appropriations Committee last month.
The future of casino expansion or relocation in Indiana now rests with the Senate, where HB 1038 will face further debate in the coming weeks.