Ballot question
Public Question #3 (Local Public Question)
- On the ballot in
- Steuben County
- Vote
- Yes or no
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
The question, as printed on the ballot
Shall inland casino gambling be permitted in Steuben County?
A “Yes” vote means
A yes vote permits inland casino gambling in Steuben County, so the Indiana Gaming Commission may consider Steuben County sites for the one new northeast Indiana casino license.
A “No” vote means
A no vote bars the Indiana Gaming Commission from licensing an inland casino in Steuben County, and state law does not allow the question to be put to county voters again.
Official plain English statement
A 2026 state law (House Enrolled Act 1038) lets the Indiana Gaming Commission award one new inland casino license in Allen, DeKalb or Steuben County, but not in a county whose voters reject this question. An applicant must plan to invest at least $500 million in a casino and nongaming amenities, have the county commissioners' support and pay a $150 million fee, and the commission may deny every application.
On the ballot as "PUBLIC QUESTION #3" (Local Public Question). Required by IC 4-33-6-19.5 (HEA 1038-2026); Allen and DeKalb county ballots carry the same question. If voters approve, casino operators' applications are due to the Gaming Commission by Dec. 1, 2026, and it must decide by April 15, 2027.
Sources
- House Enrolled Act 1038 (2026), gaming matters: IC 4-33-6-19.5 (casino public question in Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties) and IC 4-33-6.8 (Northeast Indiana casino license) · Indiana General Assembly
- Fiscal Impact Statement: HB 1038 (enrolled), Gaming Matters · Indiana Legislative Services Agency, Office of Fiscal and Management Analysis
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal)
The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.