Caesars' two racinos in Indiana green lighted to launch live dealer games Jan. 1

Indiana’s two horse-track casinos are ready to start dealing cards with live table games on January 1.

The Indiana Gaming Commission on Tuesday gave the final approval to Harrah’s Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, both operated by Caesars, to launch live-dealer table games.

Legislation approved by the Indiana General Assembly in 2015 initially allowed the two racinos to introduce live-dealer table games in 2021, but a sweeping gambling bill that passed this spring advanced the start date to Jan. 1, 2020.

Currently, the racinos are only allowed to offer slot machines and table games with electronic dealers. The two rasinos have spent months redesigning their facilities to accommodate the live dealer tables and hiring more than 500 employees combined, according to Indiana Business Journal.

Trent McIntosh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hoosier Park, said to help attract job candidates, the casinos guaranteed a minimum wage of $20 per hour. “I think that created some excitement,” McIntosh said.

Both casinos will publicly open the live-dealer table games at 1 p.m. Jan. 1. Indiana Grand will have 43 tables with 304 seats, and Hoosier Park will have 28 tables with 179 seats. Indiana Grand will offer craps, blackjack, roulette, Mississippi stud, three-card poker and mini-baccarat. Hoosier Park will have craps, blackjack, roulette, Mississippi stud, three-card poker and EZ baccarat.

Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait said they haven’t had any issues with the racinos preparing for the launch. “Well done so far,” Tait said. “It’s an exciting New Years Day.”