INDIANAPOLIS — The prospect of a casino in Indianapolis is gaining momentum in 2026, but a battle over the state’s next gaming hub could determine whether the capital city sees a new casino license—or if Fort Wayne emerges as the favored location.

Indiana State Senator Aaron Freeman recently filed **Senate Bill 244 (SB244)**, which would allow **Full House Resorts** to relocate its Rising Star Casino license from Rising Sun to Marion County, home to Indianapolis. Full House, which has operated the underperforming Rising Star Casino for years, first explored relocation options in 2024.

SB244 includes several conditions for a move: an annual **community support fee** paid to Rising Sun and Ohio County, mayoral approval from both Rising Sun and Indianapolis, a **$25 million license relocation fee**, a **$750 million minimum investment** in a new casino facility, and a **$50 million fee for selling or transferring the license within 10 years**.

Freeman has argued that Indianapolis represents the most lucrative market in the state. “It’s clear that if the goal is revenue, you put a casino in downtown Indianapolis every day of the week and twice on Sunday,” he told the *Indianapolis Business Journal*. Full House Resorts did not respond to requests for comment.

• Indiana lawmakers are considering relocating Rising Star Casino, with proposals for either Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, sparking a debate over revenue and city competition.

• Indianapolis could generate an estimated $170.7 million in gaming-tax revenue, but nearby casinos risk losing up to 25% of existing earnings.

• Fort Wayne’s proposal requires a lower $500 million investment and would have less impact on existing casinos, making it a legislative frontrunner despite lower projected revenue.

Fort Wayne emerges as a competitor

The push for an Indianapolis casino faces a rival proposal. **Senate Bill 70 (SB70)**, sponsored by Senators Justin Busch and Randy Maxwell, would relocate the Rising Star license to Allen County, home to Fort Wayne. SB70 mirrors many elements of SB244, including the $25 million relocation fee and $50 million early-exit fee, but sets a lower **$500 million investment minimum**.

A 2025 study by **Spectrum Gaming Group**, commissioned under SEA 43, identified downtown Indianapolis and Fort Wayne as the most viable markets for a relocated casino. Spectrum estimated that an Indianapolis facility could generate **$170.7 million in gaming-tax receipts**, compared with **$61.1 million for a Fort Wayne casino**.

Despite the higher projected revenue in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne’s proposal has advanced further in the legislature, having passed at least one committee, while SB244 has yet to do so. Analysts suggest that concerns over competition and revenue cannibalization may be influencing the preference. Spectrum estimated that a downtown Indianapolis casino could reduce revenue by up to **25% at nearby properties**, including Horseshoe Indianapolis and Harrah’s Hoosier Park, whereas a Fort Wayne facility would have a smaller impact on existing licensees.

It’s clear that if the goal is revenue, you put a casino in downtown Indianapolis every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Trends in large-city casino development

The debate reflects a broader trend among U.S. states that already host commercial casinos, which increasingly target large urban markets for new developments. Illinois, for example, is preparing to open a permanent Chicago casino in September, after operating casinos elsewhere in the state. Similarly, New York recently approved three New York City proposals following decades of upstate casino expansion.

Iowa offers a closer parallel to Indiana. Last February, regulators approved a significant casino project in Cedar Rapids, the state’s second-largest city. While that development involved awarding a new license rather than relocating an existing one, it shared similar considerations around projected revenue and competition.

Indiana’s legislature is now tasked with weighing potential tax revenue gains, economic impact, and the effect on existing casinos in determining where the next gaming hub will emerge. With both Indianapolis and Fort Wayne in contention, the decision could shape the state’s iGaming landscape for years to come.