Indiana Gaming Commission Turns Down Terre Haute Casino License Application
The Indiana Gaming Commission voted against extending Terre Haute’s Lucy Luck Casino license. However, Lucy Lucky officials have another shot to reapply since the IGC re-opened the application process.
Lucy Luck Unlucky at Extending License in Terre Haute
Set to open doors to customers in 2022, Lucy Luck is operated by the popular Hard Rock. According to reports, the casino was expected to create over 1,300 jobs and inject well over $120 million in revenue in year one alone.
The casino was expected to break ground this July in anticipation of its 2022 scheduled opening. According to the IGC, the casino was not accorded an extension due to what it termed as the absence of a senior leadership structure. Furthermore, the regulator added that Lucy Luck is not funded.
The Indiana Gaming Commission explained that the casino had failed to submit crucial financial information required to complete the licensing process. However, Lucy Luck is still positive about extending its license, considering that the regulator re-opened the application process.
Murray Clark, Lucy Luck’s attorney, termed the lack of financing approval as the reason why they hadn’t closed on financing. But apart from that, the attorney said that the “not fully funded” is not clear.
Mr. Clark also added that the construction is still on track and can kick off as scheduled. According to the attorney, similar to the Gary casino, the construction and design will be done by Hard Rock.
Disappointment for the Community At Large
The community couldn’t hide their disappointment at the Commission’s decision not to extend Lucy Luck’s license in Terre Haute. One of the local businesses that are part of the leadership team said that the team was on track to put in place an executive structure as required by the Commission.
Greg Gibson said that the leadership team had achieved its target of availing a license to Vigo County. He added that the community can be happy knowing that a gaming facility will eventually be available in Terre Haute. Mr. Gibson, however, expressed his disappointment, especially with the fact that the bidding process is now open to companies that will only be interested in making profits. According to Mr. Gibson, these companies don’t understand the community as Lucy Luck does.
In his opinion, the project was always centered around Terre Haute, the home community. He added that the community deserves to have this casino.
IGC Director, Sarah Tait, defended the commission’s position of pointing out the financing issue as a serious concern. According to Sarah Tait, the process has dragged for a year and a half. Yet parties are discussing prospective matters.
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