Steuben County officials have approved a measure that will allow voters to decide this fall whether casino gambling should be permitted in the county, a move tied to Indiana’s newly created inland casino licensing process.

The Steuben County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place a binding referendum on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The vote positions the county to remain eligible for a proposed resort-style casino development authorized under Indiana House Bill 1038, legislation signed earlier this year by Gov. Mike Braun.

Commissioner Rick Shipe said county leaders wanted residents to determine whether the project should move forward. “This seeking the voters’ input,” Commissioner Rick Shipe said shortly before making the motion to approve the resolution, according to WTVB.

Wil Howard, president of the Board of Commissioners, described the referendum as one part of a larger state-regulated process. Under the legislation, only Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties are eligible to pursue the new casino license. The law requires local governments to approve a referendum before casino operators can apply to the Indiana Gaming Commission for the concession.

The ballot question in Steuben County will read: “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Steuben County?” State lawmakers established the exact wording in HB1038.

State Law Opened Competition for New Casino

House Bill 1038 created a 14th inland casino license in Indiana by combining two unused horse racing racino licenses. The measure also established several requirements for applicants, including local government support, a countywide referendum, and a commitment to invest at least $500 million over five years in casino and non-gaming amenities.

The legislation also requires applicants to pay a $150 million licensing fee. Casino developers would need to include features beyond gambling operations. State law requires plans to include a hotel with between 200 and 250 rooms, restaurants, entertainment facilities, and a spa.

If more than one county approves casino gambling through a referendum, operators would then decide which county to pursue for development. Counties that reject the ballot question will not be able to revisit the issue later under the current law.

The legislation emerged after a Spectrum Gaming study examined relocation possibilities for the underperforming Rising Star Casino Resort in Ohio County. The study identified northeast Indiana as one of the strongest potential markets for casino expansion.

HB1038 was introduced after Full House Resorts expressed interest in relocating gaming operations from Rising Sun to northeast Indiana. The company initially targeted Fort Wayne, which a gaming study identified as one of Indiana’s most underserved casino markets.

During Full House Resorts’ 2025 earnings call, CEO Daniel Lee signaled uncertainty about whether the company would ultimately pursue relocation.

“The bill changed many times. We make money in Rising Sun. We always have, not a lot of money, but we make money. We continue to make money in Rising Sun. And we will continue to do that for our shareholders, as well as for the good of the state,” Lee said.

County Promotes Economic Potential

Supporters of the referendum have pointed to economic projections suggesting a casino could generate substantial tax revenue and employment opportunities for Steuben County.

A study commissioned by the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation estimated annual gaming tax revenue between $14.1 million and $16.6 million for the county. The report, prepared by AM Steinberg Advisors, projected state tax revenue could eventually reach between $56 million and $60 million annually once the facility matured beyond its opening phase.

Consultants estimated the proposed casino resort could create between 800 and 1,200 full-time jobs. Projected annual wages ranged from $45,000 to $60,000, with estimated payroll totals between $36 million and $72 million.

The study projected yearly gross gaming revenue between $188.6 million and $214 million. Those figures assumed a resort with 1,200 to 1,500 slot machines, about 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook.

County officials have repeatedly emphasized Steuben County’s location near Interstate 69 and the Indiana Toll Road as a possible advantage. Leaders have described the intersection, located near Fremont and south of the Michigan border, as a strong access point for travelers from Michigan and Ohio.

Steuben County’s population remains significantly smaller than the other eligible counties. The county has fewer than 35,000 residents, while Allen County has more than 278,000 residents in Fort Wayne alone. Angola, the largest city in Steuben County, has fewer than 10,000 residents.

Residents Raise Questions Before Vote

While supporters have focused on potential tax gains and employment growth, some residents have voiced concerns about the broader impact a casino could bring.

Questions raised during discussions included whether local infrastructure and housing could accommodate additional workers. Some residents also expressed fears about increased criminal activity tied to casino development.

County officials have argued that the referendum process provides residents with direct control over the county’s future involvement in casino gaming.

The approved resolution states that county officials must take “all necessary and lawful steps” to place the issue before voters while complying with Indiana law and regulations established by the Indiana Gaming Commission.