The Indiana state Senate and House approved a bill last week that would allow a casino in Fort Wayne. The city is located in the northeast part of the Hoosier State.
Both legislative bodies approved HB 1038. The bill would allow the state’s 14th casino. Under the plan, three counties in the Fort Wayne area – Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben – would be allowed to host the property.
The bill requires a company winning the project to spend at least $500 million on the casino, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
“This will not just be a gaming floor, but a true destination development, with hotel rooms, dining and entertainment amenities,” Bill sponsor Sen. Justin Busch (R) said. “This ensures that we’re talking about a transformative, long-term investment in northeast Indiana.”
House Passed Different Version Of Bill
While the plan received bipartisan support and backing from local government officials and business leaders, some residents and senators expressed opposition to the original senate version because a local referendum wasn’t included.
That has now been changed and a referendum will be placed on the November ballot if Gov. Mike Braun (R), who has previously expressed support, signs the bill into law. Additionally, a majority of county commissioners in the area would need to approve the project.
Approval in both houses came on the last day of the legislative session. The house initially approved a bill bringing a casino to Fort Wayne, but that plan called for shifting the state’s poorest-performing property from the city of Rising Sun.
The new version passed by the house and senate now shifts a previous unused off-track horse racing license into a full casino license instead.
“This is about putting an unused gaming license to use for the people of Indiana,” Busch said.
Indianapolis Casino Nixed, Sweepstakes Ban Approved – Minus Poker
Plans for a possible casino in the state capital didn’t receive the same result. Sen. Aaron Freeman (R) filed a bill to bring an additional casino to Indianapolis in December.
The Indiana Gaming Commission estimates that a casino could produce $170 million in tax revenue annually for the state. The commission also found in a study that the city could be home to the state’s most profitable casino.
However, the plan ultimately didn’t receive a vote despite significant support from the Indianapolis business community.
Additionally, the legislature approved a sweepstakes ban. HB 1052 has now passed in both houses and heads to Braun’s desk.
Companies or individuals violating the law could face fines of up to $100,000. The bill also beefs up enforcement authority for state regulators and would go into effect July 1.
However, unlike sweeps bans approved in other states, the bill makes a special exemption for poker. This would allow platforms like Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold to remain operating.
Social Gaming Leadership Alliance Managing Director Sean Ostrow has said regulating and taxing sweeps operators could generate more than $20 million annually for the state. The industry also pushed for regulation in California, but the state ultimately passed a ban that went into effect on Jan. 1.
