Casino Referendum Fails in All Three Northeast Indiana Counties
More than 58% of Steuben County voters and nearly 65% in DeKalb County opposed the plan, according to unofficial results.
- On Tuesday, voters in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties rejected referendums on inland casino gambling, blocking a proposed $500 million resort-style gaming development in northeast Indiana.
- Approved earlier this year, House Enrolled Act 1038 authorized a new inland casino license for one of the three counties, requiring voter approval before the Indiana Gaming Commission could issue the permit.
- Supporters including Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker cited potential revenue and job growth, while grassroots coalition Save Northeast Indiana criticized gambling as a 'predatory enterprise' linked to increased crime.
- State law now prohibits the Indiana Gaming Commission from awarding a license to developers in these counties and triggers a permanent ban on holding future public casino referendums there.
- No casinos are coming to northeast Indiana anytime soon, leaving local officials like Tucker to explore other revenue opportunities for public safety and infrastructure investment.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Officials disappointed over casino vote failure
ANGOLA — The political action committee behind the push to land a casino development in Steuben County expressed disappointment in the outcome of Tuesday’s referendum and officials in Steuben and Allen counties promised to keep working for the betterment of…
Indiana Capital Chronicle
The Elkhart TruthHoosiers reject a possible casino in northeast Indiana
A new casino won’t be coming to northeast Indiana after voters in those counties rejected a referendum to add gaming Tuesday. Public Question No. 3 in Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties asked, “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in (your) county?” According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, more than 58% — or 6,234 votes […]
All three northeast Indiana counties reject casino, leaving HEA 1038 license with no host
Voters in Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties each rejected inland casino gambling by double digits on November 3. The single new license in House Enrolled Act 1038, tied to a project of at least $500 million, now has no county that can host it. With the measure defeated, the license created by House Enrolled Act 1038 cannot be granted by the Indiana Gaming Commission. A repeat ballot is also off the table. State law bars a second public question…
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