Steuben County Voters Decide on Casino Approval in November
Steuben County, located in Indiana, has decided to hold a ballot referendum on November 3, 2026. The proposal set to be included in this ballot referendum involves a question that has sparked conversations and debates within the county: Should a casino be approved for establishment in Steuben County?
The Ballot Question
As decided by county officials, the question included in the November ballot will read: “Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Steuben County?”. This decision comes after the signing of House Bill 1038 by Indiana Governor Mike Braun in March 2026, which presented the opportunity for county-wide referendums related to casino establishments, sports betting, and slot machines.
This regulation allowed the local governments of Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben to gauge support for casinos and other forms of gambling through referendums. Should a simple majority within the county support the idea of a casino, the local government can then proceed with applying for the singe casino concession created for one of these three counties through House Bill 1038.
Considering the Populations
Though small in population, with less than 35,000 residents, Steuben might appear as a less favorable option in comparison to Wayne and DeKalb, which boast populations of 66,200 and 44,530 respectively. However, the low population could be seen as a potential advantage rather than a drawback. A smaller population might result in less opposition and smoother operations in the future.
How Attractive is Steuben for a Casino?
Interestingly, House Bill 1038 came into existence on request of Full House Resorts, an Indiana-based gaming company. The company publicized its interest in moving its Rising Star Casino Resort from Rising Sun, Ohio County to a more lucrative market in the northeast.
Initially, Full House eyed Fort Wayne as the most ideal location for its operations. Confirming their selection, a study commissioned by the Indiana Gaming Commission found the city of Fort Wayne to be the second-most underserved area of gaming, after Indianapolis.
However, as the bill was politicized, a massive $150 million licensing fee was imposed on Full House. Initially, the bill would have allowed only Full House to pursue casino establishment in one of the three counties: Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben. However, an amendment was later adopted during the General Assembly review allowing any casino company in the United States to place a bid.
What’s the Stance of the other Counties?
For now, the county offices in Allen and DeKalb have not made any significant move for putting forth the idea of a casino to their voters. With Steuben being the only interested county, it might be challenging to convince a casino company to pay the hefty $150 million license fee to establish in the most northeastern part of the state.
Company Decisions and Local Impact
Full Houses’ CEO Daniel Lee has suggested during the company’s 2025 earnings call that the company might stay put in Rising Sun. In Lee’s words, “The bill changed many times. We make money in Rising Sun. We always have, not a lot of money, but we make money. We continue to make money in Rising Sun. And we will continue to do that for our shareholders, as well as for the good of the state”. This raises questions about the company’s interest in exploring the northeast region.
Furthermore, the county’s main city, Angola, houses less than 10,000 people. As a comparison, Indiana’s second-largest city, Fort Wayne, has roughly 278,000 residents. The difference in these numbers is significant, which might affect the casino’s operations and growth strategies.
Analyzing the Market Projections
In terms of market projections, the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation has presented an encouraging study. According to the study, a casino in the county may lead to annual gaming tax revenues ranging between $14.1 million and $16.6 million. The study also outlines that the projected gross gaming revenue for the Steuben casino could range between $188.6 million and $214 million a year based on the provided specifications for slot machines and other games.
In conclusion, it will be interesting to observe the result of the November 3, 2026, referendum of Steuben County. The outcome will not just determine the fate of a casino resort but can also significantly impact the economies of the local communities and the entire state of Indiana.
