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Local leaders in Steuben County are starting to argue more about something that, until recently, was mostly a Statehouse conversation: whether northeast Indiana should host another casino, and if Steuben wants to be in the running.
At a Saturday breakfast meeting that drew an unusually large crowd, county Republican officials invited residents to air concerns and ask questions as lawmakers consider changes that could reshape casino siting in Indiana. The gathering drew roughly 90 to 100 people, well above the typical attendance for the monthly event, according to local reporting.
County GOP chair Rick Michael told attendees that the county’s proximity to major highways gives it a natural tourism draw, and he pointed to potential tax revenue as the main upside. He also acknowledged the familiar worries that come with gambling expansion, including addiction.
“If the community wants it, that matters”
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn), who represents part of Steuben County, pointed out that the decision could be a two-way street: if a casino operator is asked to invest hundreds of millions, it will look for a place that actually wants the project.
Smaltz told the meeting that local support would likely shape where a casino ends up — assuming Indiana opens the door to one in the first place. “So I think it’s important that whatever operator does get the license, that they have the ability to decide what community wants them, and where they have the best chance to recoup their half a billion dollars (investment),” he said.
Two bills set the stage, and Steuben wants a seat at the table
The Steuben discussion is taking place as Indiana lawmakers consider two approaches that could affect where casino gaming expands.
Senate Bill 70 would allow a licensed riverboat casino operator to relocate gaming operations to Allen County or Fort Wayne, subject to conditions.
House Bill 1038 would direct the Indiana Gaming Commission to accept applications for an owner’s license to operate a casino in Allen County, including an up-front license fee of at least $50 million paid to the state’s general fund.
Steuben officials argue the current debate has focused heavily on Fort Wayne and Allen County, and they want lawmakers to broaden the conversation to include nearby counties along the same travel corridors. Local reporting also says the Steuben County Board of Commissioners voted in late 2025 to signal openness to the idea, while the county’s economic development and tourism groups were asked to gather more data on potential impacts.
Safety, taxes, and “what does it change for residents?”
Sheriff R.J. Robinson told attendees he had spoken with sheriffs in counties that already host casinos and did not see major crime spikes directly tied to the facilities, while noting that casinos typically run their own security and coordinate with gaming enforcement.
Officials also discussed taxation and the idea that casino revenue could ease pressure on residents, while acknowledging that details would depend on the final legislation and any local agreements.
Nothing in Steuben County is on a fast track yet. The bigger question is what Indiana lawmakers decide to do in 2026: either relocate an existing license, create a new one, or do neither.
Source: WTVB
