Study Identifies Downtown Indianapolis as Top Site for New Casino with $170M Tax Potential

An independent study by Spectrum Gaming Group has identified downtown Indianapolis as the prime location for a new Indiana casino, projecting nearly $500 million in annual revenue and over $170 million in state tax receipts, more than twice the potential of a casino near Auburn in northeast Indiana. While northeast Indiana also shows potential, it would generate significantly less revenue and tax benefits, and faces complications including local opposition and tribal gaming compacts. The Indiana Horsemen have voiced strong opposition to an Indianapolis casino, warning it would harm the state's horse racing industry by cannibalizing revenues from racetracks in Anderson and Shelbyville, which have supported rural economic development for decades. The racetrack casino model has been praised as a successful partnership benefiting agribusiness across Indiana, and the Horsemen argue that shifting gaming to Indianapolis could jeopardize this balance. These findings were presented to Indiana lawmakers as part of a legislative mandate to identify optimal locations for relocating a casino license, aiming to adapt to the evolving Midwest gaming market. The debate continues as stakeholders weigh the economic benefits of a downtown Indianapolis casino against potential impacts on existing industries and local communities.