(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana lawmakers have added a voter input element into a bill that could relocate a Southern Indiana casino to Northeast Indiana
House Bill 1038 cleared its second reading Thursday in the Indiana House, moving it closer to a final floor vote. If approved the bill would allow a casino license currently based in Ohio County to move to Steuben, DeKalb, Allen or Wayne Counties.
A newly approved amendment gives counties seeking the casino the option to place a public question on the 2026 general election ballot. The Indiana Gaming Commission could then consider whether voters were asked and how they voted, when deciding where the casino license should go.
The proposal has expanded since its introduction. It originally named only Allen County as a possible designation, but lawmakers later added Steuben, DeKalb and Wayne Counties through a committee amendment.
Other proposed changes, including adding more counties or requiring additional payments to the state, were rejected or not debated.
The bill, originally authorized by Rep. Craig Snow, is now co-authored by Republican Representatives Tony Isa, Bradford Barrett and Democratic Representative Philip GaQuinta. The bill now awaits a third reading in the House.
If approved, the bill would move to the Indiana Senate.