FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Allen County Council held a public meeting last night about the possibility of a casino in Allen County. It comes after a failed bid to move a southern Indiana casino to the area.
Council members said they wanted public opinion to share with state lawmakers. A new study commissioned by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. showed a $28 million economic impact possible for the area from a casino.
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. released the results of a study on the economic impact a casino might have in the community. According to the results, over $28 million would come in from wagering tax revenue. The casino itself could create hundreds of jobs, and construction could, both directly and indirectly, potentially employ thousands.
GFW Inc. released the following:
An economic impact study completed in November 2025 by CBRE highlights the fiscal and employment benefits that a potential casino development could generate for Allen County and the surrounding community.
Commissioned by Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the study evaluates the projected economic, employment, and tax impacts of bringing a casino development to Allen County. The findings demonstrate strong long term value for the local community, with positive revenue generation and job creation once the project reaches stabilization, projected in year three of operations.
According to the study, local wagering and supplemental wagering tax revenue generated for the community is projected to total approximately $28.1 million annually at stabilization. These figures reflect only gaming-related taxes and do not include additional non-gaming tax revenue streams such as food and beverage tax, innkeepers’ tax, and property tax. When those sources are included, the study estimates an additional $13.1 million in annual tax revenue, further strengthening the fiscal impact for Allen County and local communities.
Beyond tax revenue, the study highlights job creation across both construction and operational phases. At stabilization, the casino facility itself is projected to support 947 direct jobs, with wages and employment opportunities across a range of operational roles. In addition, 729 indirect and induced jobs are expected to be created through supplier activity and increased household spending associated with the project. Local income tax projections were not included, as residency patterns for these roles cannot yet be determined.
The construction phase of the project would also provide a major employment boost. The study projects a total of 2,493 direct and indirect construction jobs during the development period, contributing to workforce demand and economic activity across Allen County and Northeast Indiana.
CBRE’s analysis concludes that a casino development in Allen County would generate economic benefits that are largely incremental, meaning the project would attract new spending to the county while recapturing gaming dollars currently flowing to other communities with gaming facilities. The study also finds that impacts to existing Indiana casinos would be minimal.
“This study provides a data-driven look at the potential scale and significance of a casino development for Allen County,” the report notes, emphasizing the opportunity for job growth, increased public revenue, and broader economic output for the community.
About the Study
CBRE was engaged by Greater Fort Wayne Inc. to evaluate the revenue potential and economic impact of a casino development in Allen County. The analysis incorporates market demand modeling, comparable market analysis, and economic impact modeling using industry-standard methodologies.
Learn more HERE
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