Indiana lawmakers advance bill to relocate Rising Star Casino licence
A House committee has approved legislation to relocate the Ohio County riverboat licence to an inland casino.
US.- The Indiana House Public Policy Committee has voted in favour of House Bill 1038, which seeks to allow the relocation of the Ohio County riverboat licence, currently held by Rising Star Casino. The licence would move to an inland casino in Allen, DeKalb, Steuben or Wayne County.
The bill has moved to the full House for consideration. If it’s approved, the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) would accept relocation applications from October 1, would publish submissions by January 15, 2027 and would issue its decision by April 15, 2027.
Key application requirements include securing support from local government and demonstrating a commitment to invest at least $500m in the development of a casino and associated non-gaming amenities. Any successful applicant would be required to pay $50m to the commission, as well as a total of $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 holder of the Ohio County licence may continue gambling operations on the riverboat in Ohio County until one day before the commencement of gambling operations under the relocated licence.
Indiana legislators reject online lottery bill
Indiana lawmakers recently pulled House Bill 1078 from the legislative agenda due to a lack of support. The proposal would have authorised the Hoosier Lottery to sell tickets online and offer digital instant games.
The bill had initially passed the House Public Policy Committee on January 8 by a vote of 9-3. It was subsequently ordered engrossed on January 13 after amendments were considered. Last year, the committee endorsed a bill for both online lottery and casino games, but it didn’t reach the full House for a vote.
Another gaming-related measure, HB 1052, which seeks to define online sweepstakes casinos as a form of illegal gambling, remains active.
