Lawmakers Set to Start a Bidding Contest for Allen County Casino License

A new plan in the Indiana Statehouse has started talks again about building a casino in Allen County, which might change the area’s gambling scene in a considerable way. House Bill 1038, put forward when the 2026 law-making season began, spells out how companies could compete to get a new business casino license just for Allen County.

Indiana Bill Could Open Bidding for New Fort Wayne Casino License

State Representative Craig Snow from Warsaw introduced the bill, which directs the Indiana Gaming Commission to ask for plans from qualified operators if local officials back the project with a supporting resolution. Any applicant would need to describe both gaming and non-gaming features, like food, shows, and shops, while also proving they are stable and plan to invest at least half a billion dollars, reported WPTA. Once they pick a winner, that company would pay a license fee of at least $50 million straight into the state’s general fund.

Snow’s bill comes as business groups in Fort Wayne keep pushing to bring a casino to the area. People backing the idea locally say it could open up more jobs, build stronger ties with nearby businesses, and increase tax money overall. They have been running ads and set up a website to make their case. They argue a new casino complex could attract more visitors and help grow different parts of the area’s economy.

Study Names Top Indiana Casino Sites Amid Ongoing Allen County Debate

A study ordered by the state and finished recently pinpointed downtown Indianapolis and Auburn as the top spots for a casino. However, experts pointed out that a possible tribal gaming place in Fort Wayne could reduce the money an Auburn project might make. In earlier lawmaking sessions, officials looked into moving the Rising Star Casino from southern Indiana to New Haven. However, this idea got stuck after strong pushback and never came to a vote.

Doubts linger this year, too. The Coalition for a Better Allen County repeated its worries, highlighting what it sees as social and economic dangers. Members of the group say they worry a casino might bring bad influences and put at-risk residents in more danger of gambling problems. They also ask if a community should depend on a gaming company as a key part of growth.

Backers argue that big casino projects in other parts of the state have created new jobs and paid lots in taxes. An earlier financial study done for a different New Haven plan guessed that such a complex could create thousands of jobs during building and early operations, plus tens of millions of dollars in yearly tax revenue. Right now, the future looks unclear. Even with new laws and more attention, Indiana’s casino plans often split people. In the coming months, lawmakers will have to balance different views to decide if Allen County becomes the next big spot for more gambling.