Testifying before the Indiana Senate Public Policy Committee, officials at Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts said they supported Senate Bill 354, which would allow up to 740 slots and table games licensed to the company’s Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun to be relocated to a proposed new facility in Terre Haute. That’s about half of Rising Star’s licensed games, many of which have been unused due to attendance and revenue drops. Full House Resorts Senior Vice President Alex Stolyar said, “We’re looking to invest in Indiana, not neighboring states. It’s going to give about million a year to the city of Terre Haute, in addition to the jobs it’s going to create.”
Stolyar added the proposed casino, which could open in 2019, would have minimal impact on others in the state. However, a report by the Legislative Services Agency estimated 43 percent of the adjusted gross revenue at the Terre Haute casino would come from competing casinos, including Tropicana and French Lick casino and central Indiana’s two racinos.
State Senator Jon Ford, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would provide an economic boost in Terre Haute while protecting the positive impact of gaming on the Rising Sun area. The Legislative Services Agency report stated relocating the Rising Sun games would cause a revenue loss of only up to 15 percent at Rising Star Casino. Supporters added a Terre Haute casino would encourage Indiana gamblers to not drive to Illinois casinos. Also, the bill would require Full House to make five annual payments of $3 million to help preserve and maintain the West Baden Springs historic hotel.
Opposing the measure, Justin Groenert with the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce told the committee a new Terre Haute casino would hurt business at Evansville’s Tropicana Casino, located two and a half hours from Terre Haute.
