Majestic Star’s Owner Predicts Its Indiana Online Sportsbook Will Be Open By Super Bowl

Despite being granted a Sports Wagering Certificate of Authority last month, Majestic Star Casino is yet to receive the green light from the Indiana Gaming Commission to operate a retail or mobile sportsbook.

Spectacle Entertainment, the owner of Majestic Star, is not deterred from setting a timeline for the launch of its online sportsbook.

John Keeler, Spectacle’s vice president and general counsel, announced plans to apply for an online betting license, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Indeed, Keeler even went so far as to say:

We ought to be prepared for that by the time the Super Bowl comes around.

Spectacle can maintain its presence in the Indiana sports betting market by introducing a mobile sports betting app, even as it concentrates on its forthcoming relocation to Gary and rebranding to Hard Rock Casino.

Is the Hard Rock Casino in Indiana facing difficulties?

It is anticipated that the new Hard Rock will open on Dec. 31, 2020.

This raises a significant question about the readiness of the new casino by its intended start date. Six weeks have passed since the state gave the green light to Spectacle’s relocation, yet there is no evidence of construction on the new site whatsoever.

It seems that Spectacle still has a long way to go before opening its new retail location next to the Borman Expressway. Construction has not yet started and the plot of land remains largely untouched, with weeds and debris scattered everywhere.

According to the Northwest Indiana Times, Keeler stated that there seems to be no cause for concern.

The project isn’t in trouble.

Keeler pointed out that the delay in starting construction on the new site is due to the need to secure sufficient funds for the new casino.

The Hard Rock, spanning approximately 225,000 square feet, will showcase:

• A spacious gaming floor featuring over 2,000 slot machines and table game seats.
• Hard Rock Café,
• A 2,000-seat music venue
• Sportsbook

Keeler mentioned that several investors are likely to finance the project, although the specifics of this information remain somewhat vague. However, the end result is considerably distant in the future.

Spectacle is a private company and therefore, it is not required to disclose any financial particulars in the deal.

Given the present circumstances, it’s difficult to predict whether Gary’s latest casino will be completed on schedule. However, Indiana sports bettors should keep an eye out as Spectacle and other entities in the state are gearing up to introduce more online sportsbooks soon.

Indiana sports betting

The inaugural month of sports betting in Indiana has been thrilling. Following the introduction of several sportsbooks within the initial days of lawful wagering, Indiana concluded September with a total of 13 retail sportsbooks.

The Indiana Gaming Commission has reported that Indiana sportsbooks took in over $35 million in bets in their first month of operation.

As the calendar flipped to October, the first two Indiana online sportsbooks initiated online sports betting.

• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook

Naturally, sitting on the sidelines for most of the football season is challenging. However, if Spectacle can launch an online sportsbook in time for the Super Bowl, it would be a significant achievement.

Currently, only two online options are available. Hence, Spectacle still has a window to enter the Indiana market before it becomes overly saturated.