Big win for Gary land-based casino proposal in first Indiana Senate committee hearing

INDIANAPOLIS — Spectacle Entertainment unveiled plans Wednesday to construct a $300 million boutique casino, including a 200-room hotel, along the Borman Expressway in Gary, if the General Assembly permits the Majestic Star to move off its Lake Michigan dock.

John Keeler, Spectacle general counsel, told a Senate committee that a Gary land-based casino could generate $75 million annually in net new revenue for the state and create 400 jobs at the new location, growing Majestic's current workforce by one-half.

That requires, however, the Legislature to approve a sprawling gaming proposal that, in addition to relocating the Gary casino inland, would send the second Gary casino license to Terre Haute without any payment to Gary, legalize sports wagering statewide, eliminate casino ownership caps and alter some gaming tax distributions.

Senate Bill 552 was unanimously approved by the Senate Public Policy Committee following more than three hours of public testimony, many from Northwest Indiana, both supporting and opposing the legislation.

Read more: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/big-win-for-gary-land-based-casino-proposal-in-first/article_dc99899c-72ec-55df-ae5f-83b6d5544628.html