What to know about Fort Wayne’s casino gamble

Hey Locals,

At this point, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about a casino coming to Fort Wayne. While it’s unclear exactly where and how it might happen, it’s no secret local and state leaders are pushing for it – and rushing the process.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle recently reported that Mayor Sharon Tucker and Allen County’s three commissioners are supporting the move. But so far, all plans forgo a public referendum for citizens to vote on having a casino in Fort Wayne in the first place — “something that all other gambling communities have passed,” the Chronicle notes. 

So how did we get to this point? What economic benefits are on the table? And what’s at stake in the various plans being discussed? 

In the spirit of gaming, we break down the opportunities and risks in today’s newsletter.

To inform this report:

• We spoke with State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne), who reads our newsletter and reached out.
• We also researched casinos in Indiana and elsewhere.
• And we’ve followed state and local news about a casino here.

Let’s start with a brief review.

How did we get to this point? 

• Last year, a Rising Star Casino in southeastern Indiana — owned and operated by Full House Resorts — sought to relocate its license to New Haven. While the move garnered support from New Haven’s mayor and more than 2,000 residents who signed a petition, it also faced significant community pushback and ultimately died in the legislature without a vote.
• A study released by the Indiana Gaming Commission in October showed Northeast Indiana (near Auburn) would be the second-best location for a casino in the state to Indianapolis. Miller says state reps. are largely discounting Indianapolis for a new casino due to fears it would detract from other in-state casinos nearby.
• GFW Inc. launched a campaign to bring a casino to Fort Wayne this winter. While Auburn was featured in the Gaming Commission study, some believe Fort Wayne would be a more receptive and ideal location for a casino than a more rural community.
• Now, two bills are being considered by the state legislature to pave the way for a casino in the Fort Wayne area – but in different ways. The first Senate Bill 70, by Sen. Justin Busch, R-Fort Wayne, would relocate Rising Star’s casino license. The second House Bill 1038 by Rep. Craig Snow, R-Warsaw, would create a new (14th) state license and offer a competitive bidding process among casino owners for a Northeast Indiana location.
• Mayor Sharon Tucker and Allen County Commissioners have voiced support for a casino in Fort Wayne/Allen County. Last week, local news stations announced they’ve written a letter to state legislators, explaining how they would divvy up the profits, which are all the more attractive to city/county leaders now that they’ve lost significant property tax revenues from the state in SB1 (Senate Enrolled Act 1).
• Many local and state leaders feel pressured to move quickly on a state-benefitting casino and are forgoing the typical public referendum process to approve gaming. Miller says a referendum could extend the process by about two years, and regardless of what happens with a state-benefitting casino (relocation, new license, or nothing), legislators believe the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma could open their own casino on tribal property within Northeast Indiana; thus, diminishing the region’s potential to attract a state-benefitting casino now and in the future.

So what are the economic benefits at stake, and where would the money go?