A new study finds that moving a casino to a small Indiana town could have a big economic impact on the area.
The economic impact report reveals that a proposed casino in New Haven, Indiana, near Fort Wayne, could generate more than $80 million in annual tax revenue and create more than 2,400 new jobs.
The projected tax revenue tops $53 million for the state, over $18 million for the city, and $11 million for other local stakeholders such as Allen County and East Allen County Schools.
The casino is a part of Full House Resorts, which is working to relocate its “Rising Star Casino” from Ohio County, Indiana, to Allen County.
Why Full House is Considering the Move
The casino is currently located in Rising Sun, Indiana, on the banks of the Ohio River. It sits on the border of Indiana and Kentucky and attracts many Cincinnati-area residents, but not enough.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Full House is exploring more lucrative locations for the Rising Star casino, which has experienced declining revenues in recent years.
To date, Rising Star has been the least profitable of the state's 13 casinos. Revenue reports from the Indiana Gaming Commission show it generates an average monthly gross revenue of just over $3 million.
The Republic News doubled-down on those figures, reporting that The Rising Sun casino currently generates the smallest amount of revenue among properties that Full House operates.
New Casino Also Expected to Create Jobs
In addition to the tax revenue a new casino would generate, according to the study, the project is anticipated to create nearly 2,800 construction and construction-related jobs.
On top of that, it is expected to bring about 2,426 new jobs to New Haven, including over 1,200 positions within the casino and entertainment resort.
Full House estimates that by its fifth year, the casino will earn nearly $290 million in revenue. Full House has assured New Haven residents that if the casino is built, 20% of the increased tax revenue would be allocated for property tax rebates, and another 20% would be used for public safety funding.
Not Everyone on Board With Casino Plan
Full House Resorts recently held a public hearing on the privately funded plan. Some residents are still warming up to the idea of having a casino in their backyard. They're not being swayed by the financial benefits that are being touted, and they think that it could change the small town’s culture.
New Haven sits just east of Fort Wayne with a population of less than 16,000 people. Others voiced their concerns about the potential for corruption, increased crime, or decreased property values.
Online gambling is currently illegal in Indiana, and a decision about introducing a casino in New Haven is yet to be made. We anticipate more information to become available following the 2025 State Legislative Session, but no specific timeline has been established at this point.
