IndianaHB 1038Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)House

Gaming matters.

Sponsored By: Craig Snow (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Provides that the horse racing commission may issue three satellite facility licenses (instead of four per permit holder under current law). Requires Allen County, DeKalb County, and Steuben County to place a public question on the 2026 general election ballot that seeks approval from the voters to permit inland casino gambling. Authorizes the Indiana gaming commission (commission) to award a new riverboat license for an inland casino in Allen County, DeKalb County, or Steuben County. Prohibits the commission from awarding an owner's license to operate a casino in Allen County, DeKalb County, or Steuben County if the voters of the county do not approve casino gaming in the county. Specifies application requirements, including local government support and the applicant's commitment and plan to invest at least $500,000,000 for the development of a casino and nongaming amenities. Requires an approved applicant to pay $150,000,000 to the commission to be deposited by the commission as follows: (1) $100,000,000 to the state general fund; and (2) $50,000,000 to the shuttered riverboat fund to be used for local units that are affected by a shuttered riverboat or inland casino closure. Provides that if a licensed owner ceases operations or goes out of business, the license issued under this section is terminated effective on that date.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 5 mixed.

Large fees for new casino owners

The approved Northeast Indiana inland casino applicant must pay a $150 million fee in five yearly $30 million installments. The first payment is due within 30 days after approval; later payments fall on that payment date's anniversaries. The state general fund gets $100 million, and the shuttered riverboat fund gets $50 million. Selling or transferring the owner's interest within 10 years after application approval requires another $50 million fee. That fee goes to the state general fund and must be paid before the Gaming Commission approves the transfer.

New casino requires $500 million investment

An inland casino applicant in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County must commit at least $500 million to development. This includes the casino and on-site non-gaming amenities. At least 60% must be invested within two years after the license award. The rest of the investment and development must be finished within five years after gaming begins. If the license transfers before full investment, the next owner must cover the shortfall by the tenth anniversary of approval.

Casino ballot gift ban expands

The law extends an existing gift ban to the added casino ballot question. Casino licensees and people with an interest in them cannot give property to sway a precinct committee member's actions. A knowing or intentional violation is a Level 6 felony.

New inland casinos pay wagering tax

The new inland casino in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County owes a 3.5% supplemental wagering tax. The tax applies to each day's adjusted gross receipts. The casino owner pays it; households do not owe this tax directly.

Casino closures end licenses, trigger aid

A riverboat owner's license ends when the owner stops gaming operations or goes out of business. The law also creates a Gaming Commission fund for local governments affected by riverboat or inland casino closures. The fund receives $50 million from the new inland casino license fee. The General Assembly must approve spending before the money can support affected local governments.

Horse racing satellite licenses face limits

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission can issue up to three satellite facility licenses, down from four. Only permit holders can receive them. The law removes a special limit tied to certain gambling-game permit holders and licenses issued before January 1, 2007.

Local governments gain casino negotiation powers

Local governments can privately negotiate with inland casino applicants before applications are filed. They can support or decline to support a specific applicant. They cannot negotiate directly with an applicant submitting a supplemental bid.

One new casino needs local approval

Indiana raises its casino owner license limit from 10 to 11, allowing one inland casino in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County. Each county must hold a casino vote at the 2026 general election. A county voting no cannot host the new casino without later voter approval. Operators of U.S. brick-and-mortar casinos must apply by December 1, 2026; only one application can be approved. Applications need a county commissioners' support resolution and, for a municipal site, a mayor's support letter.

Local casino revenue shares and limits

Each quarter, covered inland casino taxes in Allen, DeKalb, or Steuben County go 10% to the Northeast Indiana regional development authority. The host city and county each get 45%, usable for legal purposes, including debt payments or lowering one year's property tax levy. These receipts cannot lower the unit's maximum levy, and the authority's share goes to its development authority fund. A separate rule adds qualifying cities in these counties to recipients of 25% of remaining gaming tax revenue, based on casino location or home dock. Covered inland casino revenue is exempt from base-year distribution caps, but also excluded from shortfall top-ups and their annual maximum.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Craig Snow

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brad Barrett

    Republican • House

  • Chris Garten

    Republican • Senate

  • Justin Busch

    Republican • Senate

  • Lonnie Randolph

    Democratic • Senate

  • Philip GiaQuinta

    Democratic • House

  • Ryan Mishler

    Republican • Senate

  • Tony Isa

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 236 • No: 231

Senate vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 34 • No: 16

House vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 56 • No: 37

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 26 • No: 22

House vote • 2/2/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 67 • No: 30

House vote • 1/29/2026

Amendment #4 (Porter) failed

Yes: 25 • No: 63

House vote • 1/29/2026

Amendment #3 (Porter) failed

Yes: 28 • No: 63

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/4/2026House
  2. Public Law 77

    3/4/2026House
  3. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  4. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    2/27/2026House
  6. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  7. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 405: yeas 56, nays 37

    2/27/2026House
  8. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 312: yeas 34, nays 16

    2/27/2026Senate
  9. House conferees appointed: Snow, GiaQuinta

    2/26/2026House
  10. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    2/26/2026House
  11. House advisors appointed: Manning, Lehman, Isa, Miller K, Moed

    2/26/2026House
  12. House dissented from Senate amendments

    2/25/2026House
  13. Senate conferees appointed: Busch, Niezgodski

    2/25/2026Senate
  14. Senate advisors appointed: Mishler, Jackson L

    2/25/2026Senate
  15. Motion to dissent filed

    2/25/2026House
  16. Returned to the House with amendments

    2/24/2026Senate
  17. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 229: yeas 26, nays 22

    2/24/2026Senate
  18. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/23/2026Senate
  19. Amendment #4 (Mishler) prevailed; voice vote

    2/23/2026Senate
  20. Senator Randolph added as cosponsor

    2/19/2026Senate
  21. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/19/2026Senate
  22. Committee report: do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations

    2/12/2026Senate
  23. Senator Maxwell removed as cosponsor

    2/12/2026Senate
  24. First reading: referred to Committee on Public Policy

    2/5/2026Senate
  25. Referred to the Senate

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed House Bill (H)

  • Engrossed House Bill (S)

  • Enrolled House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (H)

  • House Bill (S)

  • Introduced House Bill (H)

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