Summary:
- Full House Resorts wants to create a $500m casino.
- Residents are worried about crime and traffic issues.
- The project would be completed in two phases, with the casino and dining first.
Last night, a meeting took place in New Haven, with Full House Resorts providing details on a proposed $500 million Indiana casino project. The operator already runs the Rising Star Casino (pictured) in Ohio County and wants to move the venue to a new and better location.
While the plan has positives, the local community does not want to see a casino in their neighborhood.
Plans for the Casino
Full House Resort would create a casino on just over 65 acres of land at South Doyle and Harper roads. The operator provided details during the recent meeting to gauge the local government’s support for the plan and whether the idea could come to fruition without major issues.
The project would be completed in two phases. First, the casino would be created along with restaurants, a speakeasy lounge, and a sportsbook. This would bring in revenues from the very beginning, which would help the venue and locals.
Next, the project would focus on adding a hotel and live event center. Food and beverage options would also be considered. Full House Resorts provided renderings of the project during the meeting and explained the projected tax revenues and employment numbers.
Neighbors Speak Out Against the Project
While there are those who are for the plan, there are also residents who do not want to see this type of project come to fruition. Many feel the proposed location is already deadly, and more traffic would be a major issue.
Full House says it will pay for any improvements needed for the roadways, including credits and no tax abatements. Others were concerned about how the casino would affect crime in the area or cause other depravity issues in the neighborhood.
A representative for the company said that gambling is already taking place in New Haven online and at churches. The new facility will be for those 21 and older only. While there were plenty of individuals in the crowd with No Casino signs, there were also those in favor of the project. Many spoke out about the positives that a casino could bring and stated that individuals should be responsible for themselves when it comes to any potential gambling addiction issues.
For now, it’s a waiting game to see if the operator earns the correct approvals to move their venue to New Haven and offer an updated, modern version of its current casino space in Ohio County.
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