Indiana Live Casino races to open before Hoosier Park

SHELBYVILLE, IN - Indiana Downs is racing to open its new casino before Hoosier Park opens theirs on June 2nd. Workers are rushing to finish the final stages as competition appears fierce between these two horse tracks.

“Even though it’s temporary, we want everything to be a wow,” said Mark Hemmerle, general manager of Indiana Live Casino. The 70,000-square-foot temporary casino will have 1,900 slot machines and eateries catered by Wolfgang Puck. A permanent casino is currently being built across the street near the grandstand. That facility will be 270,000 square feet and opens next year.

Both horse tracks hope to draw more than 3 million visitors in their first year, and both expect to draw most of their visitors from a 100-mile radius. Hoosier Park will draw from Fort Wayne and other cities in Northeast Indiana, while Indiana Downs will draw from Indianapolis.

Hoosier Park will open their 92,000 square feet casino with nine new restaurants and bars and live entertainment both indoors and outdoors.

Return to Indiana Casinos.