Casino Hopefuls to Present Proposals
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TERRE HAUTE - The Indiana Gaming Commission will allow the four applicants for the open gaming license in Vigo County to present their proposals next month. The commission is expected to select the winning proposal after the presentations, which will be open to the public.
Each applicant will have 30 minutes to present their projects to the commission during the public hearing on November 17. Earlier this week, the commission randomly selected the order of the presentations.
Full House Resorts Inc. (NASDAQ: FLL) will present first. The company, which already operates Rising Star Casino in Ohio County, is proposing the $250 million American Place project that is expected to create 800 jobs. The project includes the casino, which would include 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a sportsbook, as well as a 100-room hotel and a large greenhouse, which would feature two restaurants and venues for weddings and other group events.
Hard Rock International has detailed plans for the Rocksino Terre Haute, totaling $191 million, that is expected to create 674 jobs. The casino will feature 850 slot machines, 35 table games, a 300-seat entertainment venue, and a 1,000-square-foot retail shop. A hotel is not initially planned for the project, but Hard Rock says it does have plans for a hotel in a second phase.
Mississippi-based Premier Gaming Group's proposal includes a $112 million investment to build a gaming area with 800 slot machines and 20 table games. The project will also feature an 80-room hotel that will include meeting, spa, and fitness space and create 400 jobs.
Finally, Churchill Downs is proposing to build The Queen of Terre Haute resort at a cost of $240 million. The project, expected to create 500 jobs, includes more than 56,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games, and a sportsbook, as well as a 125-room hotel.
The Tribune-Star reports the commission will select a license recipient, but will not issue the license right away. Earlier this year, the IGC denied a renewal of the license for Terre Haute-based Lucy Luck Gaming, a move the developer is currently appealing.
A formal hearing for the appeal is slated for December, according to the publication.
