Rising Sun gambling could move to Allen County if approved

The owner could move gambling to Fort Wayne or elsewhere in Allen County. This applies to the owner of the riverboat in Rising Sun. The owner must plan at least $500 million for the casino and onsite attractions, promise to help redevelop the Ohio County site, and meet safety rules. Rising Sun's mayor must support the move. Fort Wayne's mayor must support a site within that city; Allen County commissioners must support a site in unincorporated Allen County. State gaming regulators must approve the move. If enacted, this section lists July 1, 2026, as its effective date.

The operator would pay a $25 million fee if regulators approve the move. These rules apply to the approved move and to a sale or transfer of the owner's license stake. The operator must invest at least 60% of its full planned investment in the first phase and complete the rest of the development within five years of opening. If ownership changes before the full investment is made, the buyer must cover the shortfall. The $25 million fee is due in two payments, each within 180 days of approval or the start of gambling. The $50 million fee applies to transfers within 10 years of approval; a buyer must cover any investment shortfall by that 10-year mark.

The state would limit tax payments tied to the Ohio County riverboat after its move. The rule covers recipients of the specified casino-tax payments tied to the Ohio County riverboat. The cutoff applies only if state gaming regulators approve the move to Fort Wayne or Allen County. Cities and counties receiving payments tied to the riverboat would not receive related extra payments. The payments would end after the state distributes taxes collected during the riverboat's last calendar quarter of gambling in Ohio County.

The state would divide taxes from the relocated casino between local governments and a community fund. The split applies only to taxes collected from a casino in Fort Wayne or Allen County. Allen County, its cities, and its towns would share 60% based on population. A local board would use the other 40% for mental health, homelessness, addiction, and other local needs. Starting after the first calendar quarter of the sixth state fiscal year after gambling begins, Fort Wayne and Allen County officials could agree to a different split. The local board must be formed within 90 days of relocation approval. The tax split would begin when the casino starts gambling.