State Sen. Andy Zay Supports Proposal to Move Rising Star Casino
Source: Jeremy Poland / Getty
FORT WAYNE, IND — State Sen. Andy Zay (R-Huntington) supported moving the Rising Star Casino from Rising Sun to the Fort Wayne area during a Legislative Preview event Thursday.
The casino’s owner, Full House Resorts Inc., has been considering the move since 2018, citing financial struggles at the current location.
“We have to fight harder and louder every time we ask to get money from Indianapolis,” Zay said. “Fort Wayne, Hamilton County, Boone County – they can finish things with 1-2-3 asks. But we have to ask 10-15 times here.”
Zay believes the plan won’t burden taxpayers and sees it as a way for Indiana leaders to think outside the box and get things done.
Rising Star, which opened as Grand Victoria Casino in 1996, attracts visitors from Cincinnati but has struggled financially recently.
In a Facebook post, rising Sun City Councilwoman Lisa Hewitt-Williams confirmed the potential move to New Haven, a Fort Wayne suburb.
The proposal includes a new $500 million casino near U.S. 30 and I-469. However, it needs approval from the Statehouse and a signature from incoming Governor Mike Braun.
State Rep. Dave Heine (R-New Haven) and State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) oppose the plan, while State Rep. Kyle Miller (D-Fort Wayne) supports it. Zay, representing rural areas, emphasized the need for bold ideas to boost the local economy and voiced his support for New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael’s vision.
State Sen. Andy Zay Supports Proposal to Move Rising Star Casino was originally published on wibc.com
