Hard Rock set to open second gaming venue in Indiana

A second Hard Rock gaming property is set to be constructed in Indiana following the successful May 14 opening of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, reports the Times of Northwest Indiana.

On Tuesday, the Chief Operating Officer for Hard Rock International Jon Lucas told the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) that Hard Rock has agreed to develop and manage a "Rocksino" casino in Terre Haute, approximately 165 miles south of the new Gary casino.

Lucas said groundbreaking at the Terre Haute site, which is located near the intersection of Interstate 70 and U.S. 40, about 7 miles from the Illinois state line, will most likely take place in late June or early July, with the Rocksino opening in late summer or fall 2022.

The $170 million facility will offer 850 slot machines and 35 table games, about half the gaming positions as the Gary casino, a steakhouse, Hard Rock Cafe, food hall, and a 250-seat venue for live performances, and other events.

The IGC must give its approval by June 24 to the casino's financing and renew the Terre Haute casino owner's license held by Lucy Luck Gaming that previously was assigned to one of the two gaming vessels that comprised the now-shuttered Majestic Star Casinos in Gary.

IGC officials expressed concern it's taken so long for Lucy Luck to get moving on the Terre Haute project after claiming the second Gary casino license more than a year ago. Lucy Luck also has many of the same shareholders as Spectacle Entertainment, the parent company of the Gary casino, who are suing the IGC seeking to halt the enforcement of new state integrity rules for investors in privately held casino companies.

The owner's license for the Hard Rock Casino in Gary is also due to be renewed at the next IGC meeting.