Indiana bill to relocate Rising Star Casino licence passes third reading
House Bill 1038 will now head to the Senate for final approval.
US.- The Indiana House Public Policy Committee has approved House Bill 1038 in a 67–30 vote. The bill has now moved to the Senate, which has three weeks to consider it.
The proposed law would allow the relocation of the Ohio County riverboat licence, currently held by Rising Star Casino, to an inland casino in Allen, DeKalb, Steuben or Wayne County.
If the bill is approved, county councils will need to pass a resolution by June 1 requesting that a casino referendum be included on the general election ballot in November. If the referendum is approved in at least one county, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) would accept relocation applications from October 1, would publish submissions by January 15, 2027 and would issue a decision by April 15, 2027.
Key application requirements include securing support from local government and committing to invest at least $500m in the development of a casino and associated non-gaming amenities. The successful applicant would be required to pay $50m to the commission, as well as $30m to the city of Rising Sun and Ohio County.
Under the proposal, the IGC must appoint an independent third-party consultant to determine the fair market value of the Ohio County licence. The successful applicant would be required to pay this valuation to the current licence holder, unless the winning bidder is the existing owner.
The bill also provides that the current holder of the Ohio County licence may continue gambling operations on the riverboat until one day before the commencement of gambling operations under the relocated licence.
