03/06/2026
Following the conclusion of the 2026 Indiana General Assembly Session, we wanted to share an update with our community regarding House Bill 1038, the legislation that would have authorized a new casino license in Indiana.
Unfortunately, Wayne County was not included in the final passage of HB 1038. While legislative leaders expressed strong appreciation for the efforts and engagement shown by the Richmond and Wayne County community, they ultimately chose to keep the conversation focused on Northeast Indiana for this year’s legislation.
That said, we are incredibly proud of the work done by so many across our community. The collaboration, advocacy, and thoughtful dialogue demonstrated throughout this process helped elevate Richmond and Wayne County’s presence at the Statehouse in a meaningful way. Because of these efforts, our community now has stronger relationships and a more visible voice in conversations about economic development and future policy opportunities.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to state policymakers on both sides of the aisle who took the time to hear our story, understand our vision, and advocate alongside us throughout this process. Your willingness to engage with our community and champion the conversation meant a great deal.
Finally, we want to thank everyone locally who participated, shared feedback, attended meetings, and helped move this conversation forward. Your engagement made a real difference. While this chapter of the conversation has concluded for now, discussions will continue regarding additional potential opportunities for a license relocation or the possibility of a new license in the future.
As always, this movement has been about sharing information, listening to our neighbors, and gathering community feedback, and that commitment will remain unchanged as we continue working together to build momentum and opportunity for our community, because Richmond truly is on a roll.
