(INDIANAPOLIS) - The Indiana State Senate is scheduled to take a final vote today on legislation that could pave the way for a new casino in northeast Indiana, according to reporting by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
House Bill 1038 has cleared the Senate in a heavily amended form that designates Steuben, DeKalb, and Allen counties as potential sites for a gaming facility.
The measure originally called for relocating an underperforming casino license from the Ohio River region. However, the revised proposal would instead create a new license using an unused horse-racing permit, allowing the Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun to remain open in southeast Indiana.
Leaders in Steuben County have strongly advocated for inclusion, citing the county's location at the intersection of Interstate 69 and the Indiana Toll Road -- sometimes referred to as the "Golden Crucifix" -- as a strategic site to attract visitors from Michigan and Ohio.
If approved, developers seeking the license would be required to pay a $150 million application fee and commit to at least a $500 million investment in the region.
Some lawmakers continue to push for a mandatory local voter referendum, arguing residents should have the final say before any casino project moves forward.