Spectacle Entertainment, owner of the Majestic Star casinos in Gary, Indiana, was the only company to submit an application for the Vigo County casino license by the December 2 deadline, said Indiana Gaming Commission Director Sara Tait. In addition, Spectacle was the only gaming company to be approved by Vigo County for a local development agreement, which was required to accompany the application.
Now the gaming commission must evaluate the potential economic benefits, anticipated tax revenue and job creation the Spectacle proposal offers. In addition, the company must prove it will invest at least $100 million minimum in its casino development in order to receive the license.
Spectacle officials said they intend to develop the $300 million, land-based Hard Rock Rocksino in Terre Haute. The venue will have a gaming floor with 1,500 slot machines and table game seats, a Hard Rock Cafe, buffet, center bar and a Club Velvet entertainment area.
In Gary, Spectacle will develop the Hard Rock Casino Gary with a gaming floor offering 2,764 slot machines and table game seats, a sportsbook, Hard Rock Cafe, 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live performance venue and numerous restaurants and bars. Spectacle officials said the Gary venue will open by the end of 2020. A second phase, beginning 2022 or 2023, will include an attached 200-room hotel and parking garage.
The relocations were approved by House Enrolled Act 1015, enacted in May. It allowed the consolidation of the two Majestic Star riverboat casinos under a single owner’s license and reallocated the second Gary license to Terre Haute after Vigo County voters endorsed casino gambling in a November 5 referendum.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, December 12, Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino in Elizabeth near Louisville, Kentucky will move from the Glory of Rome riverboat—the world’s largest gambling riverboat—to a new $90 million land-based casino, where it will be known as Caesars Southern Indiana. The new 100,000-square-foot facility will include a casino, restaurants, entertainment venue and retail outlets.
But customers will have a chance to enjoy one last night on the vessel on Saturday, December 14. Horseshoe Southern Indiana Vice President and General Manager Brad Seigel said, “We’ll just have fun with it throughout the day, all the things that the Glory of Rome has been and meant to so many people. It’s to give ‘the Boat’ a goodbye it deserves.” A fireworks display will top off the event.
Seigel said when state lawmakers approved moving casinos from riverboats to land-based operations, it made sense to make the transition. “We looked at it and thought the Glory of Rome has been good to us for 21 years. But to stay relevant and keep this business fresh and in the best position for our customers, we thought that a big change like the one we’ve made is the right move,” he said.
Seigel noted several advantages the move will offer. For example, visitors sometimes lost their way on the riverboat’s four levels. Also, thanks to the new casino’s open design, guests will be able to follow the excitement and know immediately if a table is hot. And visitors will be able to directly enter the casino instead of having to walk from the parking garage.
Seigel concluded, “There’s nostalgia, and rightfully so. It’s been a place of so many good memories. People might be sad, but they’re ready for that next big move to a place to make more memories. Ultimately, the experience in part is driven by our team. That piece of it, in a lot of respects, isn’t changing at all. The people that have provided these great experiences for 21 years will continue to provide great experiences.”
