Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) has introduced a house bill that would allow a casino to operate in Allen County, home to Fort Wayne, reviving debate over whether the city should enter Indiana’s gambling market.
The bill directs the Indiana Gaming Commission to “accept applications and proposals to award an owner’s license to operate a casino in Allen County if certain conditions are met.” It also proposes a minimum $50 million licence fee that would be deposited in the state general fund.
The measure follows an advertising push by economic development group Greater Fort Wayne to promote a casino in the city. A supporting website, “Fort Wayne First,” argues that a casino would bring good-paying jobs, partnerships with small businesses, increased tax revenue and tourism.
Momentum for new casino development accelerated after an October report by Spectrum Gaming Group, commissioned by the Indiana Gaming Commission under Senate Enrolled Act 43, identified downtown Indianapolis and Auburn as the top potential locations. SEA 43 was signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun earlier this year after State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) secured its passage when a separate effort to move the struggling Rising Sun Casino to New Haven failed in committee.
The report cautioned that Auburn’s prospects could be undermined if the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma moves ahead with a tribal casino in Fort Wayne. It estimated adjusted gross receipts for an Auburn property could fall from $204 million to $43 million in that scenario.
Greater Fort Wayne’s push has drawn criticism from the Coalition for a Better Allen County, which argues a casino could harm the community.
“We certainly don’t want to bring in a corrupt organization and depend on them for economic development,” coalition representative Cathie Humbarger told 21Alive News. “Additionally, we do have a responsibility for those who have a tendency or a predilection to gaming addiction. We need to make certain that in our backyard, we don’t open up that market.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/12/03/116599-rep-craig-snow-proposes-bill-to-allow-casino-in-allen-county
