House panel hears competing arguments over bill to license Allen County casino

The House Public Policy Committee convened a lengthy hearing on House Bill 1038, which would require the Indiana Gaming Commission to accept applications for an owner's license to operate a new brick-and-mortar casino in Allen County and sets a minimum owner's-license fee of $50,000,000 to be deposited in the state general fund.

Rep. Snow, the bill sponsor, told the committee the proposal is aimed at economic development for Northeast Indiana and said the measure is intended to expand the state's brick-and-mortar casino market rather than relocate an existing license. "This bill expands gaming in Indiana," Rep. Snow said, adding that he wants social-responsibility protections and transparency as the proposal moves forward.

Supporters described significant local economic upside. Tom Kelly, a Fort Wayne businessman involved in the Electric Works redevelopment, cited a preliminary economic analysis that his group provided to legislators and said the project could attract roughly $500 million in private investment. "The repatriated revenue from out of state is projected to be roughly $50,000,000 a year," Kelly said, and he estimated wagering and related tax revenue could approach $90 million annually at stabilization, plus another roughly $13 million in property, food and lodging taxes; he and local leaders also projected roughly 1,024 direct jobs and nearly 976 indirect jobs tied to the development.

Mayor Sha…