Steuben County Republican leaders recently held a public chairman’s breakfast to explore community perspectives on a potential casino in northeast Indiana. The discussion followed earlier meetings at the Indiana Statehouse regarding a possible gaming facility in Allen County. Local officials used the event to encourage transparency and involvement as state lawmakers consider whether to expand casino licensing in the region.
Public Appetite and Community Role
County Republican Chairman Rick Michael said the breakfast sought to address common concerns while outlining potential opportunities for Steuben County. He acknowledged that residents raised questions about gambling-related issues and said the conversation also included financial considerations. “Traditional concerns [like] addiction, which we have and you can’t prevent it, you can’t stop it,” he said, as WANE 15 reports. “This is just a great opportunity, I think, for tax revenue base.” Michael highlighted the county’s position along Interstates 80, 90 and 69, calling the area well situated for tourism activity. “We are, in Steuben County, a tourism county,” Michael said, adding that “Casinos are a great source of revenue that decrease the tax burden on the citizens.”
Discussions also touched on how the future of any northeast Indiana casino may hinge on which community indicates the strongest interest. Representative Ben Smaltz, who represents parts of Steuben County, said the level of local support would influence where an operator might choose to locate. Smaltz stated that if a casino operator secured a license, it would likely want to place its investment in a receptive area. “So I think it’s important that whatever operator does get the license, that they have the ability to decide what community wants them, and where they have the best chance to recoup their half a billion dollars (investment),” he said.
Smaltz said he would support the community if it demonstrated that it wanted a casino. He added that operators would prefer a location that welcomes them and offers favorable odds of success. “If I was them, I’d want to go somewhere that I was wanted involved. I think that’s important,” he said. “And that’s going to be up to a community of northeast Indiana, to decide where you’re welcome and wanted (a half billion investment).”
County officials said any move to authorize a casino in Steuben County would be subject to a public referendum if state legislation granted such an opportunity. Local leaders noted that Indiana has used referendums in the siting process for prior gaming facilities.
Attendance at the meeting was higher than usual for the regularly scheduled breakfast, drawing between 90 and 100 people compared with typical counts of around 35. Local elected officials, including Smaltz and Representative Tony Isa of Angola, participated. Also present were members of the Steuben County Board of Commissioners, tourism bureau representatives, and the county’s economic development leadership. Research prepared for commissioners included materials for lawmakers and state-level casino officials.
Legislative Pathway and Impact Factors
Statehouse discussions include both the possibility of relocating an existing license and the introduction of a new one. Officials referenced prior studies that examined potential sites along Interstate 69, including exits in DeKalb County. Representative Isa said he has been working with the author of a bill proposing a license in Allen County and is seeking to add DeKalb and Steuben counties to the legislative conversation. Isa said, “I’m currently working with the author on the House side and trying to amend the bill to include DeKalb County and Steuben County in the conversation.”
Steuben County commissioners have not taken a definitive position, but they have continued to analyze whether the area has the visitor base to support a gaming facility. Tourism officials expressed confidence in that regard, citing the region’s access points and strategic location. One tourism executive said the county’s visitor industry is “robust enough” due to its placement at major highway crossroads.
Local law enforcement representatives spoke about potential public safety implications. Sheriff R.J. Robinson said he consulted with sheriffs in other counties with casinos and found that crime levels were limited. Robinson said that casino security operations work closely with gambling enforcement divisions, noting that collaboration influences activity on and off the property. He also said the county could face staffing considerations but described the broader resource impact as uncertain due to the early stage of discussions.
Other officials said casino operators in Indiana have a record of supporting community initiatives, emergency services and non-profit organizations. One commissioner said neighboring counties with casinos have reported that operators were “very good community partners” and involved in local projects.
Further questions addressed taxation. Officials discussed the potential effect on property taxes and noted that casinos in the state have not received tax abatements. The meeting also referenced broader gaming developments involving Native American facilities in northern Indiana and Michigan.
