ANGOLA, IN (WTVB) – The Indiana House Public Policy Committee voted 9-1 on Thursday, to approve an amendment to House Bill 1038 that adds Steuben, DeKalb, and Wayne counties as potential sites for a relocated casino license.
Originally focused solely on Allen County , the revised legislation now opens a competitive bidding process for the underperforming gaming license currently held by Full House Resorts in Rising Sun.
Under the new terms, any winning operator would be required to invest at least $500 million into the project within five years of opening, a move intended to stimulate economic growth in northeast Indiana without increasing the total number of casino licenses statewide.
Steuben County officials, including Commissioners President Wil Howard, testified at the Statehouse in support of the amendment, highlighting the county’s strategic location at the intersection of I-69 and the Indiana Toll Road. Proponents argue a Steuben County location could effectively capture gaming revenue from neighboring Michigan and Ohio, potentially creating up to 1,000 direct jobs with annual wages averaging $45,000.
While the current bill requires letters of support from local mayors and commissioners rather than a mandatory county-wide referendum, Steuben leaders have indicated that any final proposal would likely be put before voters as soon as the November 2026 elections.
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