At a recent ribbon cutting for a new hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana, Spectacle Entertainment partner Greg Gibson pointed out acreage where he’d like to develop a casino, along the U.S. 40/Indiana 46 corridor adjacent to Interstate 70. It’s possible since Governor Eric Holcomb recently signed comprehensive gambling legislation that includes a proposed Terre Haute license. “A casino in this area as we picture it, we think, will provide four to five hundred jobs to the community, which will be fantastic for this area, so we are very hopeful,” Gibson said.
Vigo County voters could approve a casino in a ballot referendum as soon as this fall, Gibson said. Once the issue is approved, Spectacle, among other casino operators, would compete for the Vigo County casino license. The Indiana Gaming Commission will select the developer after reviewing applicants’ experience and finances.
Gibson said he hopes the voter referendum occurs in November. “The community and the Chamber and a lot of people are putting their heads together trying to figure out when the vote will take place. I think there’s a good chance it will be this fall, which is when I think it should be, if for no other reason than it gets us in ahead of another legislative session.”
Gibson noted, “It’s no secret that there were some communities unhappy with our bill, and who knows what may happen. There could be changes made if we haven’t made any moves, so I think it’s important for the community to move ahead as quickly as possible.”
The location on the east side of the county will attract visitors from Indianapolis and central Indiana, adding to the traffic already coming from Illinois. Mayor Duke Bennett said, “This is our growing area out here on the east side, and it’s just great to see another addition. We just appreciate the investment by those in the community that made this possible.”
