IndianaThree counties vote before inland casinos can operate
Voters in three northeast Indiana counties decide in 2026 whether a casino may operate, and the commission can choose an operator only after local approval.
What it does
Voters in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties decide in the 2026 election whether an inland casino may operate in their county. The commission cannot license one without voter approval.
If voters approve a casino, the commission may choose one qualified U.S. casino operator or reject all applicants. The chosen operator must commit at least $500 million to the casino and other facilities.
A chosen operator pays a $150 million fee over five years. The law directs $100 million to the state and $50 million to a fund for local governments affected by casino closures.
Tax revenue from a covered inland casino is divided among northeast Indiana's regional development authority, the city, and the county where the casino operates.
Casino license holders and people with an interest in them may not give property to influence a precinct committee member's actions on a county casino vote. A knowing or intentional violation is a felony.
Argument forCounty voters get a direct say on whether an inland casino may operate where they live, and a county that votes no cannot hold another vote under this law.
Argument againstThe $500 million investment commitment and $150 million fee could make it harder for some casino operators to apply or win a license.
More detail
County election boards must put a casino question on the ballot, and the commission may license a casino only in a county where voters approve it. This applies to Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties. A county that votes against casino gambling may not hold another vote under this section. County election boards must put the question on the 2026 general election ballot.
After voters approve casino gambling, the commission reviews applications and may approve one or deny them all. An applicant may seek to operate in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County, but only in a county where voters approved casino gambling. Applicants must operate a casino in the United States and commit to invest at least $500 million in the casino and other facilities. At least 60% of the investment must be made within two years after the license is awarded. The rest of the investment and development must be completed within five years after casino gaming begins. A county commissioners' resolution supporting the application is required. If the casino would be inside a city, the mayor's support letter is also required. Applications are due by December 1, 2026. The commission must issue its final decision by April 15, 2027.
An approved operator must pay a $150 million fee in five equal annual payments; the commission deposits $100 million in the state general fund and $50 million in the shuttered riverboat fund. The fee applies to an applicant whose casino license the commission approves. Money in the shuttered riverboat fund may be used for local governments affected by a closed riverboat or inland casino only if the legislature appropriates it. The first payment is due within 30 days after approval. Four equal payments follow on each anniversary of the first payment.
The state pays casino tax revenue to the northeast Indiana regional development authority, the city, and the county where the casino operates. The regional development authority receives 10% of the revenue; the city and county each receive 45%. These shares apply only to tax revenue from an inland casino in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County. The state treasurer pays out the amounts each calendar quarter from taxes collected in the preceding quarter.
Casino license holders and people with an interest in them may not give property to influence a precinct committee member's actions on a county casino vote. This applies to casino license holders and people with an interest in them, including people with at least a 1% ownership interest, certain company officers, and the licensee's political action committee. The ban covers gifts meant to induce a precinct committee member to act or refrain from acting on approval of a county casino question. A person who knowingly or intentionally violates it commits a Level 6 felony.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 4Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 4Public Law 77Major
- Feb 27Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Busch. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Snow. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the SenateMinor
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 405: yeas 56, nays 37
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 312: yeas 34, nays 16
- Feb 26House conferees appointed: Snow, GiaQuinta
- Feb 26CCR # 1 filed in the HouseMinor
- Feb 26House advisors appointed: Manning, Lehman, Isa, Miller K, Moed
- Feb 25House dissented from Senate amendments
- Feb 25Senate conferees appointed: Busch, Niezgodski
- Feb 25Senate advisors appointed: Mishler, Jackson L
- Feb 25Motion to dissent filedMinor
- Feb 24Returned to the House with amendmentsMinor
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Busch - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 229: yeas 26, nays 22Passed Senate
- Feb 23Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 23Amendment #4 (Mishler) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Feb 19Senator Randolph added as cosponsor
- Feb 19Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Feb 12Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Feb 12Senator Maxwell removed as cosponsor
- Feb 5First reading: referred to Committee on Public PolicyMinor
- Feb 3Referred to the SenateMinor
- Feb 2Third reading: passed; Roll Call 199: yeas 67, nays 30Passed House
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Snow - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2Senate sponsors: Senators Busch, Mishler, Garten
- Feb 2Cosponsor: Senator Maxwell
- Jan 29Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Snow - 2nd Reading. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded HB 1038 - Snow - 2nd Reading. Result: fail.Lower
- Jan 29Amendment #3 (Porter) failed; Roll Call 154: yeas 28, nays 63Major
- Jan 29Amendment #4 (Porter) failed; Roll Call 153: yeas 25, nays 63Major
- Jan 29Amendment #2 (Smaltz) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Jan 28Representatives Barrett, Isa, GiaQuinta added as coauthors
- Jan 27Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 22Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
- Jan 22Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- 2025
- Dec 1Authored by Representative Snow
- Dec 1First reading: referred to Committee on Public PolicyIntroduced
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