Casino Legislation 2026
Dec 2025: Who to contact and express your concerns, call and email!
Senate Public Policy Committee phone for all is 317.232.9400
Ron Alting (Chair) R-22 senator.alting@iga.in.gov
Justin Busch, R-16 (He is from Allen Co. and the author) senator.busch@iga.in.gov
Mark Spencer, D-3 s3@iga.in.gov
La Keisha Jackson, D-34 s34@iga.in.gov
Dave Niezgodski, D-10 s10@iga.in.gov
Dan Dernulc, R-1 s1@iga.in.gov
Greg Walker, R-41 s41@iga.in.gov
Randy Maxwell, R-43 s43@iga.in.gov
Kyle Walker, R-31 s31@iga.in.gov
Vaneta Becker, R-50 s50@iga.in.gov
House Public Policy Committee
Rep Craig Snow (bill author) ph:317-234-2993 H22@iga.in.gov
Rep Ethan Manning (chair) ph:317-232-9711 H23@iga.in.gov
Rep Peggy Mayfield ph:317-232-9760 H60@iga.in.gov
Rep Steve Bartles ph:317-232-9863 H74@iga.in.gov
Rep Edward Clere ph:317-232-9979 H72@iga.in.gov
Rep Cory Criswell ph:317-232-9850 H54@iga.in.gov
Rep Matthew Lehman ph:317-234-9380 H79@iga.in.gov
Rep Jim Lucas ph:317-234-9028 H69@iga.in.gov
Rep Alaina Shonkwiler ph:317-232-9611 H29@iga.in.gov
Rep Heath VanNatter ph:317-232-9775 H38@iga.in.gov
Rep Justin Moed ph: 317-232-9987 H1@iga.in.gov
Rep Kyle Miller ph: 317-233-5248 H82@iga.in.gov or Millerfor82@gmail.com
Rep Vanessa Summers ph:317-232-9827 H99@iga.in.gov
Rep Blake Johnson ph:317-232-9976 H100@iga.in.gov
2025 legislation authored by a senator from Huntington was brought before the Public Policy committee, but never voted on and dropped. This was due to public pushback from Sen Johnson, Sen Brown and Rep Heine. Grassroots input and testimony also played a big role. Testimony, calls, emails, prayer, and public events all helped to say “NO” to the casino.
2026 brings TWO bills. The grassroots input and testimony is needed now more than ever.
HB 1038 would grant another gaming license and open a process for operators to bid with the start at $50M. This new license would be for an ALLEN COUNTY casino. This $50M + would go to the state general fund. There are provisions for tax revenue to go to the county and municipality.
SB 70 would allow for a transfer of an existing license from Rising Sun to Allen County. Rising Star is a failing casino run by the questionable Full House corporation. Again, the legislature is being promised a great deal of tax revenue in exchange for this transfer.
Both bills need to be opposed as they actually expand gaming: one by granting a new license and both by forcing a casino into virgin territory. New addicts will be created, new families will be pushed into bankruptcy, new sex trafficking rings will be created, new organized crime will materialize.
-
First: Be polite! The phones are answered by legislative assistants. They will ask for your name and possibly a call back # or email. Let them know that you are against both an addition of a license AND any casino in Allen County. If you are inclined, tell them why. See our research page for details and reasons.
-
Short and sweet: tell them who you are and why you oppose this legislation.
Example:
Dear____,
I am Concerned Carl. I am asking you to vote NO on passing the casino legislation out of committee. Allen County does not need nor want a casino for the following reasons (then visit our research page for information and support documents)
As a resident of Indiana, I ask again: vote NO.
~sign your name~
-
You can testify! See our Events page
You can share- your family and friends need to know why you oppose. Invite them into a conversation, invite them to this website.
You can GIVE-our members cannot do this without financial gifts. Visit our Giving Page and donate today.
-
Once you’ve written, called, shared and donated, then keep coming back. Getting legislation passed is a process with many steps. And if it makes it out of the Statehouse, then we must engage the local level leadership in the county and the city of Ft Wayne.