(INDIANAPOLIS) -- The next phase in northeast Indiana's casino push is now underway.
Indiana has opened the bidding process for a new casino license, with developers expected to submit proposals by December first, according to World Casino News.
The Indiana Gaming Commission will review those bids and select a winner, with a final decision expected in 2027.
The process is competitive, allowing any qualified operator to apply for the license rather than relocating an existing one.
The stakes are high.
The selected developer must pay a 150 million dollar licensing fee and commit at least 500 million dollars in construction within five years.
That roughly 650 million dollar total investment could limit how many companies enter the bidding process.
Steuben, Allen, and DeKalb counties remain eligible locations, though the final decision will depend on more than geography.
State regulators are expected to weigh financial backing, development plans and overall viability when selecting a winning bid.
Before that happens, voters will have their say.
Each county must approve casino gaming in a November 2026 referendum before any project can move forward.
Even with that approval, the Indiana Gaming Commission will make the final decision on which proposal--and which county--receives the license.
For now, the process shifts from planning to competition, as developers and communities position themselves for a project that remains far from guaranteed.