A new initiative called “Fort Wayne First” has been launched to rally support for bringing a casino to northeast Indiana. The campaign, introduced by Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the city’s Chamber of Commerce, highlights the potential economic benefits such a project could deliver to the region.
According to the campaign’s organizers, a casino could create high-paying jobs, foster partnerships with local small businesses, and boost tax revenue. These factors, they argue, would strengthen the area’s economy and create new opportunities for residents.
The campaign has also launched a dedicated website to share information and encourage community support. Leaders behind the effort believe that positioning Fort Wayne as a casino destination would not only diversify entertainment options but also attract visitors from across Indiana and neighboring states.
While the proposal is still in its early stages, the campaign underscores a growing push to expand gaming opportunities in regions of Indiana that currently lack such facilities. Supporters say the project could help Fort Wayne compete with other cities that already benefit from casino-driven tourism and revenue.
Indiana Gambling Options
Indiana’s gambling options include 13 domestic casinos (land, riverboat, and racinos), online sportsbooks, poker rooms, and the lottery. Sweepstakes casinos are also permitted but do not offer real-money payouts.
The Indiana Gaming Commission regulates all state-based gambling operations
Although Indiana has not yet legalized state‑regulated online casinos or poker rooms, neither local statutes nor federal gambling laws explicitly prohibit residents from accessing offshore platforms.
This legal gap has created a unique environment where many Hoosiers turn to international gambling sites to place wagers. These platforms operate outside US jurisdiction, meaning they are not subject to Indiana’s licensing or consumer protection standards.
Will Indiana Get More Casinos In The Future?
Although the prospect of opening a new casino in Indiana is not entirely out of reach, the state has already allocated all of its available casino licenses. This means that any new operator would face significant hurdles.
In practice, the most realistic path forward would be to acquire and revitalize an underperforming facility. Alternatively, lawmakers or voters would need to approve new legislation to expand the number of licenses permitted, thereby allowing additional casinos to operate legally within the state.
Since legal online casinos operate from outside the state, there are no regulations on the number of online casinos allowed to operate in the state. However, like most US gambling states, if Indiana passes online casino legislation, it will likely block some of the most popular online gambling sites to build their player pool.