STEUBEN COUNTY, IN (WTVB) – Steuben County Republicans hosted a breakfast meeting Saturday to address public concerns and highlight the economic opportunities a casino could provide.
County GOP Chair Rick Michael emphasized the county’s strategic location at the “Golden Crucifix”—the intersection of Interstate 69 and the Indiana Toll Road—as a significant advantage for drawing tourism from Michigan and across Indiana.
While acknowledging traditional concerns such as addiction, Michael argued that the potential tax revenue base represents a “great opportunity” for the county.
The political momentum follows a unanimous vote by the Steuben County Board of Commissioners in late 2025 to formally signal their openness to hosting a casino. Commission President Wil Howard recently testified at the Indiana Statehouse, urging lawmakers to include Steuben County in ongoing discussions currently dominated by Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Steuben County is competing for attention as the Indiana General Assembly considers two primary paths for gaming expansion in 2026:
Senate Bill 70 – A proposal to relocate the underperforming Rising Star Casino license from Ohio County to Allen County.
House Bill 1038 – Legislation that would create a new casino license through a competitive bidding process.
The commissioners have directed the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation and the County Tourism Bureau to gather further data on the social and economic impacts of a casino.
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