Legislators to Discuss Rising Star Casino Relocation

The first mention of relocation occurred in 2024.

(Rising Sun, Ind.) - The relocation of Rising Star Casino will under consideration when the Indiana Senate returns in January. 

Last month, the Senate Public Policy Committee voted 8-0 to allow the casino located in Ohio County to relocate to Allen County or Fort Wayne. 

Under Senate Bill 70, Full House Resorts, Inc. may relocate gaming operations to a casino in Allen County or Fort Wayne if certain conditions are met. The bill would require a relocation fee of $25 million be paid to the state. 

Full House must also plan to invest at least $500 million for a casino and non-gaming amenities in the city or county it would move to. 

One provision of the bill sees that the owner will work with the city of Rising Sun, Ohio County, and the Indiana economic development corporation to redevelop the vacated site of gaming operations in Ohio County in a manner that best serves the interests of the local community. 

There are also provisions in the bill to mitigate the loss to Ohio County. 

Ohio County and the City of Rising Sun were first notified of plans to relocate Rising Star Casino in 2024. At that time, Rising Star was the least profitable casino of the 13 statewide. According to the Indiana Gaming Commission, Rising Star Casino averaged $3.2 million in taxable adjusted gross revenue per month in 2024.