‘You’re Going to Hurt People,’ Congressman Tells Northeast Indiana Casino Supporters
US Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) is encouraging voters in his congressional district to reject local ballot referendums next month regarding casinos in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties. Stutzman, who is seeking his fourth term in Congress, is up for reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 3. While he is exp…
US Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) is encouraging voters in his congressional district to reject local ballot referendums next month regarding casinos in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties. US Rep. Marlin Stutzman delivers remarks at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago on Jan. 13, 2026. Stutzman is encouraging voters in Northeast Indiana to reject local county referendums seeking to approve casino gambling. (Image: Marlin Stutzman for Congress/X) Stutzman, who is seeking his fourth term in Congress, is up for reelection on Tuesday, Nov. 3. While he is expected to easily defeat his Democratic challenger, nonprofit founder Kelly Thompson, Stutzman remains on the campaign trail. With casinos a major topic across the more than 3,200-square-mile 3rd District, Stutzman has made his opposition to gambling clear. While many enjoy gambling as entertainment, several of our neighbors will eventually fall victim to the proposed casino as it seeks to generate profit off the backs of hard-working Hoosiers. Business development is a top priority of mine, but gambling is the opposite,” Stutzman said. “Casinos win when our neighbors lose,” the congressman said. County Referendums On Nov. 3, voters in Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties will face three separate referendums asking whether a casino can operate in their county. If a county receives a simple majority, casino developers would be able to present bids to the Indiana Gaming Commission for that county. House Bill 1038, signed by Gov. Mike Braun (R) in March, authorized the IGC to issue only one casino license through a competitive bid. The winning applicant would need to make a one-time $150 million payment to the state and commit to a minimum investment of $500 million. Despite big promises from pro-casino groups like “Vote Yes for Allen County Casino” claiming a casino would create thousands of jobs and more than $100 million in new annual tax revenue, Stutzman says gambling is a bad bet. “[Casinos] create a new burden for low-income households, the elderly on fixed incomes, and local government services. On top of that, many fail to realize that research has shown rapid-play gambling can be as addictive as cocaine or heroin,” Stutzman said. Stutzman’s 3rd District includes Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties. Gauging Interest With a minimum get-in fee of $650 million, it’s unclear if casino developers are interested in bidding for a casino in Northeast Indiana, or if a request for applications might be fleeting. Full House Resorts first asked Indiana lawmakers to relocate its casino license from Rising Sun to Northeast Indiana, which is today considered a more attractive market. But after HB1038 was heavily amended during the lawmaking process, stripping Full House’s exclusive right to the license and adding a $150 million fee, the company plans to stay put with its Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun. The post ‘You’re Going to Hurt People,’ Congressman Tells Northeast Indiana Casino Supporters appeared first on Casino.org.