(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that could allow the Rising Star Casino to relocate to a new part of the state.
House Bill 1038 passed the Indiana House on Monday by a 67-30 vote and is now under consideration in the Indiana Senate. The bill must be approved by the end of February to become law.
If enacted, the legislation would allow casino operators to apply to move the Rising Star license to one of four counties: Steuben, DeKalb, Allen or Wayne. The bill requires the selected operator to invest at least $500 million in a new casino within five years of opening.
The Rising Star Casino, currently located in Rising Sun and owned by Full House Resorts, has struggled financially as casino gambling expanded in nearby states. Under the proposal, the new operator would pay a $50 million fee to the state over five years and provide $30 million in compensation to the city of Rising Sun and Ohio County.
Local Rising Sun officials have argued that amount falls short of replacing lost casino tax revenue.
The Indiana Gaming Commission would review proposals and select a winning bid by April 15, 2027. While local government approval would be required for any site, a voter referendum would be optional under the bill.