Indiana’s Rising Star Casino considers relocating to Fort Wayne area
The riverboat destination has operated in Southern Indiana since 1996.
Southern Indiana’s Rising Star Casino could find a new home up north, according to a WRTV local news report.
Its owner and operator, Full House Resorts, is looking into transferring its casino license to the Allen County area, more specifically to New Haven, near Fort Wayne.
The company’s Chief Development Officer Alex Stolyar told local news, “We’re looking at maximizing opportunity based on the location of the riverboat license. It would take several years to get all the approvals necessary and construct a new casino.”
New Haven Economic Development Director Zach Washler shared with WRTV News that the city is “in discussions” with Full House at this time, regarding plans to open a new casino off of I-69.
Washler said New Haven could see a new casino “as early as 2028.”
He told local news, “New Haven is strategically located for them. The (only) casino within any sort of driving distance is 90 minutes away. So, there is a market here.”
Rising Star Casino Resort is currently located near the banks of the Ohio River and offers guests both hotel and RV campground accommodation options.
This riverboat hotspot first opened in the mid-1990s after the Indiana Gaming Commission approved a riverboat gaming license for the Hyatt-affiliated project. The commission granted Hyatt the license in 1995. The following year, Rising Sun welcomed the Grand Victoria II riverboat casino.
Players flocked to the casino floor for the first time in October 1996.
By July 1997, a 200-room hotel was added to the property. Hyatt sold the casino resort to Full House Resorts in 2011 for $43m. Following the sale, the new owner and operator renamed the location Rising Star.
Rising Sun Mayor Steve Slack told WRTV News that Full House has disclosed its “preliminary plans” to relocate to the city.
However, he went on to add in a statement, “Because of the complex nature of this process, neither the city nor the county are in a position to offer any comments at this time.”
A move to New Haven could be good news for Hoosiers because Indiana currently does not have any casinos in the Northeast part of the state. However, a move north could have a significant economic impact on Ohio County and its Rising Sun residents.
According to local government reports, Ohio County claimed almost $6m in gambling receipts in 2023.
Since 1997, an Ohio County community foundation has distributed $47m in casino-enabled grants, the local report said.
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