Hard Rock Casino under construction
Gary's new Hard Rock Casino still headed for Spring opening
Contributed By:The 411 News
Indiana Gaming Commission settles dispute with Spectacle Entertainment
A dispute threatening to stall the opening of Gary's new Hard Rock Casino has been settled, the Indiana Gaming Commission announced Tuesday.
When construction began on the new casino in January 2020, it was the culmination of years of effort to move Gary's casino's docked in Buffington Harbor to a land-based site. Competition from East Chicago and Hammond's casino's along the shoreline had greatly cut into the profits of Gary's Majestic Star casinos.
The gaming commission approved the sale of Majestic Star to Indiana-based Spectacle Entertainment in 2018. Soon after, Spectacle gained permission to build a new casino on land in Gary at the junction of Burr Street and I-80/94, and with it, the transfer of Majestic Star operations to the new site.
Spectacle's licensing agreement with Hard Rock Casino International added more luster.
Tuesday's announcement from the gaming commission and also on Tuesday an announcement from Rod Ratcliff, major owner in Spectacle tell the story of a partnership that started unravelling after the start of construction.
Ratcliff's statement that he was selling his interest in Spectacle to another shareholder follows charges of political corruption and illegal use of casino funds brought against him by the gaming commission.
In December 2020, the gaming commission revoked Ratcliff's license. Ratcliff filed a lawsuit in January 2021 charging the gaming commission with trying to oust him in favor of Hard Rock Casino.
The gaming commission's settlement includes Ratcliff's removal from any ownership in Spectacle and prohibits his participation in "matters under the purview of the Commission now or in the future."
State Sen. Eddie Melton, who represents Gary said, "I’m happy that the Indiana Gaming Commission issued orders that would allow the new Hard Rock casino to open in a timely manner. I was concerned by the reports of a potential delay of the casino opening, and the economic impact that it would have on the community and the workers who are dependent on the timely opening of the Hard Rock."
A date for the opening has not been set. During Tuesday night's Gary City Council meeting, council president Bill Godwin said the council had received an invitation to visit the casino in May.
Story Posted:03/03/2021
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