(INDIANAPOLIS) - A key committee vote Thursday could determine whether plans for a new casino in northeast Indiana move forward before lawmakers adjourn later this month.
House Bill 1038 would allow a casino license currently located in Ohio County to be relocated to Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, or Wayne counties. However, the Herald Republic reports that proposed changes could alter the plan significantly, including removing Wayne County from consideration or creating an entirely new license instead of relocating the existing one -- a move supporters say would protect jobs and tax revenue in Ohio County.
Another amendment would require voters in any selected county to approve the casino through a public referendum in November 2026. Local leaders in Steuben and Wayne counties have indicated support for letting residents decide, while officials in Allen County have expressed mixed views.
During earlier testimony, Steuben County officials pointed to the area near the Interstate 69 and Indiana Toll Road interchange as a potential site because of its access to out-of-state travelers and proximity to tourism assets, though no location has been finalized.
The proposal stems from a state-commissioned study that identified northeast Indiana as a strong market for casino expansion. If the Senate Appropriations Committee approves the bill Thursday, it would advance to the full Senate for consideration, leaving little time for action before the legislative session ends Feb. 27.