Top Stories In Indiana Gambling 2019: Hard Rock Coming

As we bid farewell to 2019, we reflect on the most significant gambling stories that emerged from Indiana this year.

The narrative of legal sports betting in Indiana and its swift initial expansion has garnered significant interest, and rightly so. Another substantial tale stems from the same gambling expansion legislation, HB 1015, which Gov. Eric Holcomb signed in May.

The bill permits one of the alterations wherein Spectacle Entertainment surrenders one of its two casino licenses to relocate one of its casinos based in Gary, Indiana, to land.

Spectacle subsequently announced plans to construct a casino under the Hard Rock brand, with operations set to commence by the end of 2020. From the renderings, it appears that the casino will provide a high-end gaming and entertainment experience.

Spectacle took steps to turn Hard Rock Gary into a reality.

In late 2018, Spectacle Entertainment announced that they were purchasing Majestic’s two Majestic Star casinos. The deal was officially finalized in March.

Initially, HB 1015 proposed a $100 million fee for Spectacle to relocate one of its casinos to land in Gary. However, this was later reduced to $20 million, to be paid over a five-year period.

The stipulation also involved surrendering one of its casino licenses, but the company was compensated with $40 million in tax benefits. The relinquished license will ultimately be transferred to a new casino in Terre Haute.

Spectacle announced that their $400 million terrestrial casino would carry the Hard Rock brand. The company also disclosed that the new casino would feature a 200-room hotel and 2,764 gaming positions. These positions equal the combined total of the two licenses Spectacle previously held, suggesting that the Hard Rock could emerge as the state’s largest casino.

The casino is expected to commence operations by New Year’s Eve 2020, followed by the hotel, which will open approximately two to three years afterwards.

Debate over Spectacle casino agreement in Indiana

The passage of the gambling expansion bill was not without its fair share of controversy.

Campaign donations and complimentary flights for Gov. Eric Holcomb, reportedly provided by Spectacle's CEO, were scrutinized by local media. Technically, since these free flights were from the Republican Governors Association, the contributions were considered legal.

Campaign contributions from casino interests are prohibited by state law.

Anticipate a lot of anticipation leading up to the grand opening of Hard Rock in Indiana in the upcoming year.