The company planning to move a casino from southern Indiana to New Haven has revealed conceptual drawings and additional details about the proposed complex.
Full House Resorts want to relocate its "Rising Star Casino" from Ohio County, Indiana, to Allen County. The plan is to include a casino, hotel and restaurants surrounded by farmland.
Currently situated in Rising Sun, Indiana, the casino is located along the Ohio River near the Indiana-Kentucky border. While it attracts many visitors from the Cincinnati area, just 40 miles away, it remains the least profitable of Indiana's 13 casinos.
The new proposed site is just east of Fort Wayne, Indiana's second-largest city.
What Will the New Haven Casino Look Like?
The project features a modern industrial design with exposed steel beams, reclaimed bricks and large windows to let in lots of natural light.
There's also a greenhouse area for growing local produce and dining.
The dining experience emphasizes farm-to-table concepts, with seasonal menus that highlight local ingredients. Guests will also have opportunities to participate in farm tours and cooking classes.
A food hall, part of the event space plan, will feature small restaurants with local dishes.
In the casino, the gaming areas are designed to bring in natural light, and lounge areas provide spaces with views of the greenhouses.
All of the design features are listed in a Conceptual Design Book found on the All In On New Haven website.
Indiana Casino Complex Will Take Two Phases
The development will occur in two phases, starting with the casino in Phase I, followed by the hotel and live event center in Phase II.
Here is the complete breakdown of the plan:
Phase 1
The casino spans 90,000 square feet and includes approximately 1,438 slot machines and 50 table games.
Other features include:
- Porte-cochere main entry
- Atrium arrival
- Prime steakhouse
- Farm-to-table restaurant
- Sportsbook
- Food hall
- Entertainment lounge
- Center bar
- Speakeasy cocktail bar
- Rooftop players club
Phase 2
A hotel will be built with 200 rooms across 5 levels. Phase 2 will also include the creation of additional spaces, including:
- Premium spa and salon
- Event venue
- Additional dining and entertainment options
According to Full House Resorts, the proposed location would cover 90 acres, and provide significant buffering from nearby properties.
What a New Casino May Bring to New Haven
A recent economic study predicted that the casino could generate more than $80 million in annual tax revenue and create over 2,400 new jobs.
But some residents worry that a casino could tarnish New Haven’s small town image. Others are concerned about crime and decreased property values.
According to its website, Full House Resorts collaborates with notable companies such as Caesars Entertainment and MGM Grand.
It’s headquartered in Las Vegas and primarily operates in Nevada, Indiana, Mississippi, and Colorado.
