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Competition for Indiana casino license heats up with 3 counties holding a vote

With one casino license up for grabs, Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben Counties are taking the next step to securing it by holding a November referendum. However, fierce opposition to casino gambling is forming in two of these counties.

ByJeremy Olson·Updated: Aug 22, 2026 9:00AM ET·3 min read

Three northeast Indiana counties are vying to claim the state's next casino license. Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben Counties are holding a November vote on a new casino. Any county that answers "Yes" to casino gambling moves one step closer to securing the lone available license. 

The Indiana Gaming Commission will ultimately determine which jurisdiction and operator win licensing rights.

According to Fort Wayne's 21Alive, coalitions have formed in Allen and Steuben County to promote a new casino. 

A group of businesses, community leaders, and unions has launched Advance Fort Wayne Allen County. The PAC's website, Yes for Allen, encourages voters to approve a Nov. 3 ballot referendum, touting a casino's positive effects on new jobs and "millions in new revenue."

The Allen County PAC also cites an economic study forecasting over 2,000 new permanent jobs and more than 5,500 construction jobs stemming from a new casino.

In Steuben County, a group headed by businessmen Charles Nedele and Michael Votaw is in the process of forming Steuben - Where Fun Wins. It's trying to sell residents on a casino by promoting the idea of "long-term prosperity" for the county.

The Coalition for a Better Indiana is opposing efforts to expand gaming in northeast Indiana. It has raised concerns that a casino would negatively impact families through gambling addiction and increase crime in the area.

The anti-gaming PAC has an online petition urging voters to choose "No." It warns that a casino would "put a strain on local law enforcement, lower property values in the vicinity, and encourage risky behaviors while changing the family-friendly character of our community forever." It also encourages Hoosiers to email their state senators and representatives to voice opposition to casino plans.

DeKalb, Steuben, and Allen Counties will each decide whether to further pursue casino gambling on a Nov. 3 ballot referendum. Local government officials in any county that votes "Yes" must sign off on the matter.

From here, casino operators can choose one of the eligible counties as a building site and apply for licensing from the Indiana Gaming Commission. The commission plans to choose one proposal and location and issue the available license in April 2027.

Indiana currently features 13 land-based casinos, including 10 riverboats, two racinos, and one land-based establishment. The pending license would make for 14 casinos, including the second brick-and-mortar operator.

While Indiana looks to expand live gaming, no concrete path exists for new online casinos to launch in the Hoosier State.

State Rep. Ethan Manning introduced HB 1432 last year in an effort to regulate casino apps. The bill passed the House Public Policy Committee in January 2025 and advanced to the House Ways and Means Committee. However, Ways and Means never approved HB 1432, effectively killing chances of casino games online becoming legal.

Lawmakers have been more concerned with cracking down on unregulated sweepstakes casinos than taking another look at real money online slots in 2026. It's unclear if 2027 will bring more interest in iGaming legalization efforts.

Bettors must be 21 years or older and otherwise eligible to register and place wagers at online casinos. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek assistance from trained professionals such as the Problem Gambling Help Network at 1-800-MY-RESET. 

Written by Jeremy Olson

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