First month of Indiana sports gambling draws $35.2M in wagers
PlayUSA.com Network, a news and research organization that follows sports gambling and operates PlayNJ.com and PlayIndiana.com, called the first-month data “impressive.”
PlayUSA.com Network, a news and research organization that follows sports gambling and operates PlayNJ.com and PlayIndiana.com, called the first-month data “impressive.”
The Indiana Gaming Commission has approved the mobile launch for the first operator, French Lick Casino, which is working with Chicago-based Rush Street Interactive to offer retail and online sports wagering.
Revenue from the state’s 10 casinos was 31.2% less than what had been expected in August, but racino revenue was on the rise.
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino in Shelbyville, Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg opened their sports books Sunday, the first day they were allowed by law.
The Indiana Gaming Commission voted Wednesday to allow the operator of Gary’s two casinos to relocate the properties inland, setting up the possibility for a casino near Terre Haute.
The new casino is expected to offer up to 2,764 gaming positions and multiple restaurants and entertainment options, including a Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live concert venue.
At the Winner’s Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Caesars will add extra bar seating and televisions. It also is adding an activity area with cornhole boards and shuffleboard to create more of a sports-bar-like atmosphere.
Indiana casinos will compete effectively against a slew of new casino sites in Illinois, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Monday.
Eldorado Resorts Inc. announced Monday that it plans to buy Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corp., creating the largest gambling operator in the United States—and in Indiana.
Illinois legislators have approved a giant gambling-expansion bill that allows sports betting and as many as six new casinos, including one in Chicago.
Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Sara Gonso Tait said Thursday that state regulators might not be ready by Sept. 1 to allow sports betting, even though a law approved earlier this year makes it legal beginning on that date.
Voter approval of the referendum is required under a law adopted by state legislators this spring allowing construction of a casino in Terre Haute.
Holcomb said he made the decision—which comes on the heels of multiple conflict of interest questions about the gambling bill—to “spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 Hoosiers.”
Some observers say the upcoming changes are the most significant in the industry since the Legislature authorized riverboat casinos in 1993.
The updated legislation also would decrease the fee that the owner of the two casinos in Gary would have to pay in order to move a casino from Lake Michigan to a more convenient interstate location.
Senate Bill 552 would legalize sports wagering, permit a Gary casino to relocate from Lake Michigan to a more convenient interstate location and allow a new casino in Terre Haute.
The owner of two casinos now located on Lake Michigan in Gary would still be allowed to move one of them to a more convenient interstate location under changes to a gambling bill lawmakers made Tuesday—but only if the company gave its other license back to the state.
An Indiana casino CEO treated Gov. Eric Holcomb to two private jet flights last year and made big contributions to Holcomb’s largest 2016 campaign donor, all while he was pushing for changes to state law that would benefit his business, according to a newspaper report.
State lawmakers significantly amended a major gambling bill on Wednesday, removing language that would have allowed mobile sports betting and adding a huge relocation fee for the owner of the Gary’s casinos.
The House Public Policy Committee heard roughly five hours of testimony on Senate Bill 552—legislation that touches nearly every aspect of gambling in Indiana—during a hearing on Wednesday.