Full House Resorts may be able to close its Rising Sun Casino in favor of Fort Wayne, New Haven, or another location in Allen County as a result of recently filed legislation in Indiana.

The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) would have to accept proposals for a casino opportunity in Allen County, according to a measure submitted in the House of Representatives on Monday by state Representative Chad Snow (R-Warsaw). Fort Wayne, the second-largest city in the Hoosier State, is located in Allen, the county with the third-highest population.

A study ordered by the IGC and required by law came to the conclusion in October that Fort Wayne, in northern Indiana, is a desirable location for a casino. According to renowned gaming consulting firm Spectrum Gaming, a casino in or close to Fort Wayne may bring in over $204 million in gross gaming revenue annually.

On December 1, 2025, Indiana's 2026 legislative session got underway. The end of February marks the end of the legislative period.

Details of the Casino Bill 

Snow's House Bill 1038 would permit businesses to submit bids for an Allen County casino. For the gaming license, the winner would have to pay the state a one-time cost of $50 million.

According to Snow's legislation, the Allen County casino would pay the state around $38.3 million in gaming taxes annually in addition to the $50 million upfront receipt. Following an anticipated $4.3 million drop in wagering taxes from the state's two racinos, in Anderson and Shelbyville, there was a net tax benefit.

The House Public Policy Committee has been tasked with conducting an initial study of HB1038. Rep. Ethan Manning, the legislator who spearheaded the push to legalize iGaming, serves as the committee's chair.

Greater Fort Wayne Inc., an alliance for business and economic development, supports Snow's bill. The group just launched the Fort Wayne First campaign to encourage the creation of a "world-class destination" in Northeast Indiana.

"The economic impact of a casino in Fort Wayne will extend far beyond the initial $500+ million investment. It would bring lasting prosperity for our city and the entire region. Our goal is to build an entertainment model Allen County can be proud of; one where opportunity, enjoyment, and responsibility come together to create lasting benefits for the entire community,” the campaign website reads.

Northeast Indiana's Regional Chamber is also in favor.

“The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana supports and will advocate for a gaming license to be moved to or issued to a community in Northeast Indiana,” Chamber President and CEO Bill Konyha said last month. “We think it is a solid economic development project that will create a lot of jobs … but most importantly, from our perspective, is that it will generate a lot of state and local taxes.” 

Complete House Interest

Full House has been pleading with legislators to grant them permission to move its Indiana gaming license from Rising Sun to Allen County, which is a more desirable market. Earlier this year, a law that would have allowed the business to do so in exchange for a $150 million charge failed.

With 1,400 slots, 50 tables, a sportsbook, a 200-room hotel, an event space, and a performance hall, Full House proposed a $500 million investment in New Haven.

Some legislators were against permitting a business to move just because it isn't doing well. They preferred a market analysis instead.