The Indiana House Public Policy Committee has passed an amendment to HB1038, planning to relocate the riverboat casino license from Rising City in Ohio County to Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, or Wayne County, without issuing a new license. This move is achieved through competitive bidding of existing licenses, without increasing the total number of casinos in the state, aiming to activate new inland markets. Interested operators must obtain formal support from the target county's commission and mayor, and the compliance process and cases for Indiana casino license relocation can be referenced on the PASA official website.
Core Rules: $500 Million Investment Threshold + Specific Timelines
The bill sets strict financial and procedural requirements for license relocation to ensure project quality:
Investment and Construction Requirements
A minimum investment of $500 million, covering the casino and associated non-gambling facilities, with 60% of the investment to be completed in the early stages of construction, and the remaining part to be settled within 5 years of the new casino's operation;
Detailed development plans must be submitted to ensure the project's long-term feasibility and economic value.
Timing and Approval Process
Starting October 1, 2026, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) will begin accepting relocation applications;
By January 15, 2027, applications and information summaries must be publicly available;
By April 15, 2027, the IGC must make a final approval decision;
The Rising City riverboat casino can operate until the day before the new casino is approved to open, ensuring a smooth transition.
Funding and Compensation Mechanism
The winning operator must pay a total of $50 million to the IGC over 5 years;
Pay a one-time $30 million to Rising City and Ohio County to compensate for local casino tax revenue losses;
A third-party institution will assess the fair value of the original license, and if a new operator wins the bid, they must pay this fee to the current license holder, Full House Resorts; if Full House itself wins the relocation bid, no payment is required.
Four Counties Compete: Geography and Public Opinion as Core Competitiveness
Ohio County's riverboat casino has seen declining visitor numbers and revenue in recent years due to the expansion of the gambling industry in surrounding states, prompting the four counties to compete for the relocation license:
Steuben County: Geographically advantageous, close to Michigan and Ohio, near I-69 and the Indiana Toll Road, supported by the mayor, city council, and chamber of commerce, with strong community cohesion;
Wayne County: Centered around Richmond, located between Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio, focusing on geographical advantages and economic opportunities, endorsed by state legislators;
Allen County: A focal area, where the local economic development department has completed a casino impact study, county council held public hearings to gather feedback, and the mayor stated, "This is a major opportunity not to be missed," while emphasizing that building homeless shelters remains a priority;
Competitive Advantage: IGC research in October shows that the Indianapolis area has the highest potential for casino tax revenue, but it could impact existing racetrack-related casinos, and the bill does not include them as candidates, making the four northeastern counties the best solution.
Controversies and Follow-up: Rising City Concerns About Insufficient Compensation, Bill Moves to Next Process
Although the license relocation has support, it still faces local controversies and procedural challenges:
Rising City's Concerns
Tax revenue loss concerns: Local lawyers suggest linking compensation to the new casino's revenue, as the $30 million compensation is far below the annual casino tax revenue of about $5 million in recent years;
Site redevelopment: Concerns about the abandonment of the old riverboat casino site, calling for special provisions to guide waterfront area redevelopment to avoid affecting the city's image;
Transition management: Calls for clear processes to prevent deterioration of the old site and economic gaps.
Further Progress and Attitudes
Bill progress: The amendment passed with a 9:1 vote and will be transferred to the House Finance Committee for financial impact review, then submitted to the full House for a vote; related Senate proposals have stalled in the appropriation process;
Official stance: House leadership favors the license relocation model over expanding gambling size, with Speaker Todd Houston stating, "This will bring hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact to the northeast, completely different from mobile gambling";
Operator communication: Full House Resorts has discussed the future of the old site with the state economic development company, believing that relocation can alleviate competitive pressure in the southeast region.
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