Indiana Gaming Commission accepting applications for casino in Vigo County

Majestic Star Casino owner submitted a request to relocate gaming operations in Gary. The commission cited legislation approved this spring requiring it to accept applications for a Vigo County facility once a Gary relocation request was filed.

2019-07-26

United States

Reading time 1:31 min

The deadline was announced Wednesday, but voter approval is needed before any license can be awarded.

The Indiana Gaming Commission announced the deadline for the submission of applications and proposals for a Vigo County casino, on December 1.

In announcing the deadline Wednesday, the commission noted voter approval is needed in a Nov. 5 referendum before any license can be granted.

Spectacle Entertainment, owner of the Majestic Star Casino, submitted a request last week to relocate gaming operations in Gary. The commission cited legislation approved this spring requiring it to accept applications for a Vigo County facility once a Gary relocation request was filed, Commercial News reports.

Surrender of the Gary license requires approval by the Gary City Council as well as the Gaming Commission and payment by the licensee, Spectacle Entertainment, of $4 million to the state. Terre Haute businessman Greg Gibson is vice chairman of Spectacle.

John Keeler, Spectacle's general counsel, said the company ”is pleased to see the announcement ... from the gaming commission that they've developed a process for the Terre Haute license.”

He said Spectacle will “do everything we can to cooperate with the commission and submit a very formidable proposal in hopes of being awarded the license.”

Spectacle earlier this month said it has an agreement in principle with Hard Rock International for the Terre Haute casino, should Spectacle acquire a license for Terre Haute. While Spectacle would remain the owner-operator, the casino would be Hard Rock branded and include a Hard Rock cafe.

Another casino operator, Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts, is “reviewing the Gaming Commission's process for the Vigo County application,” said Alex Stolyar, senior vice president and chief development officer.

Noting that applications for a casino license are public documents, the commission said it “is committed to a transparent process for the review and awarding of the Vigo County casino.”

Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said, “I am happy to see the casino operator selection process getting started. The referendum is the next key step and if the voters approve the casino in November, the community will be ready to do its part to take advantage of this economic development opportunity.”