Indiana counties to vote on inland casino expansion in November
Supporters and opponents are stepping up efforts ahead of the referendum.
US.- Residents of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties will head to the polls on November 3 to determine whether inland casino gambling should be permitted in their communities. A successful vote would make a county eligible to host a new casino, although Indiana law allows the state to authorise only one new property.
The referendum represents the first stage of the approval process. If voters back the proposal, local officials would still need to endorse the project before an operator could apply for a licence with the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Campaigns gain momentum
In Allen County, the political action committee Advance Fort Wayne Allen County has launched the Yes for Allen campaign to encourage voters to support the measure. The bipartisan coalition includes business, community and labour leaders.
Tom Borne, one of the group’s members, said the initiative should not be viewed as a competition between counties. Instead, he described it as “a shared opportunity for Allen County and Northeast Indiana to come together, create jobs, keep more dollars here at home, and build a stronger economic future for our entire community.”
According to the committee, a casino resort could generate thousands of jobs while creating new revenue streams to support public safety, schools, tourism and social services. Borne added that the campaign’s objective is to educate voters and secure approval in the November referendum.
Meanwhile, in Steuben County, a group of local business leaders, including Michael Votaw and Charles Nedele, has formed the Steuben – Where Fun Wins committee, arguing that a casino resort would provide an opportunity for long-term economic growth.
Opposition highlights community concerns
The proposals have also drawn organised opposition. The Coalition for a Better Indiana has launched a campaign warning that expanded casino gambling could increase crime and negatively affect local communities.
Through an online petition directed at state lawmakers, the coalition argues that a new casino would “cannibalise local businesses, put a strain on local law enforcement, lower property values in the vicinity, and encourage risky behaviours while changing the family-friendly character of our community forever.”
Following the November referendum, any county that approves the measure would still need local government approval before a casino operator could select a site and submit an application to the Indiana Gaming Commission. The regulator would be expected to make its final decision by mid-April next year.
