Hard Rock Gary Postpones Hotel

HARD ROCK CASINO NORTHERN INDIANA

5400 West 29th Avenue
Gary, Indiana 46406

(219) 228-2383

Hard Rock Casino in Gary has become the top earning casino in Indiana since opening May 14, 2021. The new $300M casino features 1,700 slots, 80 table games, sportsbook, 5 restaurants, 2 bars, and a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue. A 200-room hotel will be built at a later date (news story). The Gary casino is operated by Hard Rock International owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

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Artist rendering of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

The grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana was May 14, 2021. It was preceeded by the traditional Hard Rock guitar-smashing ceremony that morning.

In 2019 Indiana passed a new gaming law that authorized construction of a new casino in Gary. Spectacle Entertainment, who had purchased the two Majestic Star casino boats in Buffington Harbor in March 2019, was granted permission to move the Majestic Star casino licenses to a new casino to be constructed on land in Gary, Indiana.

On Dec 17, 2019 the Indiana Gaming Commission issued a final authorization to Spectacle Entertainment to replace its two Majestic Star Casino boats with a land casino in Gary at 29th Avenue and Burr Street. The commission also approved Hard Rock International as a minority owner.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Casino Gary was held January 9, 2020. See News Article

In December 2020 the Indiana Gaming Commission suspended the gaming license of Rod Ratcliff, the former CEO and major shareholder of Spectacle Entertainment. The action stopped the licensing process for the Hard Rock and delayed the opening date. The issue was resolved in March 2021 and the Indiana Gaming Commission lifted its hold for the opening date.

The grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was May 14, 2021. See details

News

Hard Rock Gary is #1 for 25th Consecutive Month December 19, 2023 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was again the top-earning casino in the state last month. Hard Rock paid $34,838,135 ranking number one amongst the twelve Indiana casinos. ... Read more Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana delays hotel plan December 22, 2022 - Hard Rock in Gary plans to build a 200-room hotel next to the casino. The hotel is planned as a second phase of construction after completing the casino. In a statement to the Indiana Gaming Comm ... Read more Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana expands casino October 31, 2022 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has expanded its casino with another 1,240 square feet with 65 more slot machines. The new slot machines have larger screens and newer games. ... Read more Hard Rock Gary Continues as Top-Performing Casino For Past 12 Months October 23, 2022 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was again the top earning casino in the state last month. Hard Rock earned $36.7 million in revenues for September 2022. ... Read more Hard Rock Casino: "Free Country Music Fridays" in April March 1, 2022 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will host a free, weekly country music series in April. Shows will be free to the public every Friday evening at 9 PM on the Hard Rock Cafe Stage. First come, first serve ... Read more Hard Rock Northern Indiana becomes top earning casino January 18, 2022 - Five months after its grand opening in May 2021 Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana became the highest earning casino in the state. And that success has continued every month since then surpass ... Read more Headlines continued...

Location

The site of Hard Rock Casino Gary is a 27-acre parcel on the southside of the Borman Expressway at Burr Street and 29th Avenue.

Expansion - Timeline

Construction of the Hard Rock Casino Gary was planned in two phases:

• PHASE ONE
  The first phase of construction was completed in May 2021 and included the 200,000-square-foot casino, a Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Live concert venue. The groundbreaking was January 9, 2020 and the grand opening was May 14, 2021.

• PHASE TWO
  The second phase of construction will add a 200-room hotel and parking structure. The construction schedule has not been announced.

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Features - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

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News Articles

Hard Rock Gary is #1 for 25th Consecutive Month

December 19, 2023

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was again the top-earning casino in the state last month. The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) reported $177.46 million in tax revenues collected from all casinos in November. Hard Rock paid $34,838,135 ranking number one amongst the twelve Indiana casinos.

Here is the Nov. 2023 breakdown reported by the Indiana Gaming Commission:

1. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana - $34,838,135
2. Horseshoe Indianapolis - $26,154,752
3. Horseshoe Hammond - $21,399,350
4. Caesars Southern Indiana - $18,556,043
5. Harrah's Hoosier Park - $16,428,473
6. Bally's Evansville - $12,780,521
7. Ameristar Casino - $11,672,578
8. Hollywood Lawrenceburg - $10,944,135
9. Blue Chip Casino - $8,898,975
10. Belterra Casino - $6,500,249
11. French Lick Resort - $5,873,302
12. Rising Star Casino - $3,412,967

November was the 25th consecutive month that Hard Rock Northern Indiana was the top revenue producer on this list.

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Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana delays hotel plan

December 22, 2022

Hard Rock in Gary plans to build a 200-room hotel next to the casino. The hotel is planned as a second phase of construction after completing the casino. In a statement to the Indiana Gaming Commission Thursday, Jon Lucas, CEO at Hard Rock International, said the hotel plans have been postponed due to economic uncertainties, citing high interest rates and construction costs as reasons.

Lucas told the gaming commission that Hard Rock intends to build the hotel when the economy improves in the future. The company is currently buying nearby property to replace the parking area that will someday be replaced by the hotel.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana continues to be the top earning casino in Indiana for the past 14 months.

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Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana expands casino

October 31, 2022

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has expanded its casino with another 1,240 square feet with 65 more slot machines. The new slot machines have larger screens and newer games. Hard Rock Casino now has more than 1,700 slot machines. The additional gaming area is located next to the Fresh Harvey Eatery.

"We incorporated the feedback we received from our guests when making our decisions about the games, as we wanted to include familiar favorites to best utilize the new space and enhance the gaming experience. Be sure to stay tuned as we continue to enhance this space in the future."

- Michael Gaudreau, VP Operations

Hard Rock Northern Indiana is the top-earning casino in Indiana over the past 12 months.

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Hard Rock Gary Continues as Top-Performing Casino For Past 12 Months

October 23, 2022

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was again the top earning casino in the state last month. Hard Rock earned $36.7 million in revenues for September 2022. According to the Indiana Gaming Commission, Hard Rock in Gary has now outperformed all other casinos for 12 months straight.

The September revenues for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana were $23.8 million from slot machines, $12.7 million from table games, $574,361 from retail sports betting, and $1.2 million from the new Hard Rock Sportsbook, the online sports betting service that launched on September 6th.

Meanwhile, two other casinos in northwest Indiana have not performed as well. Over the past year Ameristar's revenue fell 22.5% to $16.2 million in September, and Blue Chip Casino's revenue fell 6.8% to $11 million.

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Hard Rock Casino: "Free Country Music Fridays" in April

March 1, 2022

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will host a free, weekly country music series in April. Shows will be free to the public every Friday evening at 9 PM on the Hard Rock Cafe Stage. Admission is first come, first serve.

This April show schedule is:

April 01 - Matt Stell
April 08 - Made in America: A Tribute to Toby Keith
April 15 - Tyler Reese Tritt
April 22 - Hillbilly Rockstarz
April 29 - Maddie Walker

The Friday eries will continue with these shows and paid admission:

May 06 - Josh Abbott Band
May 13 - Walker County
May 20 - Hannah Ellis
May 27 - South City Revival

June 03 - Jillian Jacqueline
June 10 - Brass Buckle Band
June 24 - Brandy Clark

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Hard Rock Northern Indiana becomes top earning casino

January 18, 2022

Five months after its grand opening in May 2021 Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana became the highest earning casino in the state. And that success has continued every month since then, surpassing Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, the perennial leader in Indiana casino earnings.

"Our table games business continues to perform extremely well, led by our strong baccarat business. We added over 50 additional slot machines to our floor in December, with nearly 100 more classic games coming soon."

- Matt Schuffert, President, Hard Rock Northern Indiana

According to December data released last week by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC), Horseshoe beat Hard Rock in slot machine revenues due to having 20% more slot machines. However, Hard Rock won in total earnings due to more table game revenue. The biggest revenue sources from table games at Hard Rock were baccarat and blackjack.

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Hard Rock Gary will open Hard Rock Live on Nov 4, 2021

September 25, 2021

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will open its Hard Rock Live concert center for the first time this November. The first concert will be the rock band Disturbed on Thursday evening at 8 PM on November 4th. Doors open at 7 PM. Tickets went on sale to the public at 10 AM Nov 24.

Hard Rock Live has state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and seating for 2,000 guests. Additional standing room is available for 200 guests.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is owned and operated by Hard Rock International, a corporate enterprise of the Seminole Indians of Florida.

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Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana partners with White Sox Radio Network

September 1, 2021

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with naming rights for the White Sox Radio Network. Hard Rock Casino will now be part of every White Sox radio broadcast throught to end of the 2023 season.

In a press release, the ESPN 1000 Market Manager, Mike Thomas, said: "I can't wait to hear Len Kasper say: 'The ESPN 1000 Hard Rock Casino White Sox Network' in each game for years to come."

The network branding with Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will be heard on radio by White Sox fans across Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.

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Hard Rock International takes over Hard Rock Casino in Gary

August 24, 2021

Hard Rock International is taking majority ownership of the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana after a deal was worked out with the Indiana Gaming Commission and Spectacle Entertainment, a partner in the Gary casino.

Spectacle Entertainment agreed to sale its share of casino stock to Hard Rock International after a top executive at Spectacle was charged by feds for illegal political contributions using casino money.

The Indiana Gaming Commission met last Wednesday and voted unanimously to approve the deal. Hard Rock International is now the majority owner of Hard Rock Northern Indiana with an 85% share.

Hard Rock International is an enterprise of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

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Hard Rock Gary opens with traditional guitar smash

May 14, 2021

The grand opening today of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana began with a traditional guitar smash at 11AM. Several legendary rock celebritees joined in the ceremony.

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WATCH NOW: Hard Rock Casino Hosts Grand Opening with Guitar Bash - Courtesy of nwitimestv, May 14, 2021. Available from YouTube

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Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana officially opens - Courtesy of FOX 32 Chicago, May 14, 2021. Available from YouTube

Hard Rock Casino o Gary opened its doors to the public at 5PM.

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Hard Rock Gary opens today May 14

May 14, 2021

The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary will open its doors for the first time today at 5PM. A traditional guitar-smashing ceremony is scheduled for 10AM this morning followed by the grand opening at 5PM. The public is invited to the 5PM event.

The opening of the Hard Rock casino completes the first phase of construction at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. The second phase of construction will build a 200-room hotel, which will open in 18-24 months.

Updates to the grand opening will be posted here at the end of the day.

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Hard Rock Gary previews new casino with video tour

May 11, 2021

As the grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana approaches within a few days, the casino president, Matt Schuffert, gives of video tour of the features and amenities of the new casino.

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Watch Now: Hard Rock Gary President Gives Tour of New Casino - Courtesy of nwitimestv, May 8, 2021. Available from YouTube

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will celebrate its grand opening on Friday May 14, 2021. That day will begin with a traditional guitar smash ceremony at 10 AM followed by the grand opening ceremony at 5 PM. The public is invited.

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Hard Rock Gary lights up guitar marquee

April 9, 2021

As a prelude to next month's the grand opening, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana unveiled its new guitar marquee sign last night when it lit up the 37-foot tall sign designed after Joe Jackson's guitar.

Joe Jackson's "Guitar that Changed the World" will be one of the rock 'n roll memorability items on display inside Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

The grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino in Gary is May 14, 2021.

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Hard Rock Casino in Gary announces May 14 opening

March 24, 2021

Hard Rock International announced yesterday the date for opening the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will be May 14. The traditional guitar smash will be held at 10 AM that day and the public is invited to enter the casino at 5 PM. This official opening will follow a practice event on May 13 with a private party that night for invited guests and VIPs.

As the final stages of construction are now nearly finished, equipment is being installed in the gaming area, the restaurants and entertainment venue. The 200-room hotel is scheduled for the second phase of construction and will open sometime in 2022-2023.

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Indiana removes hold on Hard Rock Gary opening

March 3, 2021

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana can now proceed forward with announcing an opening date after the Indiana Gaming Commission accepted a resolution of ownership issues that had prompted a casino licensing hold. The grand opening has been targeted for Spring 2021; however, construction is nearly finished, and an updated announcement of a specific opening date is expected soon.

The Indiana Gaming Commission delayed the Hard Rock casino license due to ownership issues with Rod Ratcliff, the former CEO and major shareholder of Majestic Star. To resolve the issues, Ratcliff agreed to sell his ownership interests and permanently leave the state's gaming industry.

Ratcliff sold his shares of Hard Rock Northern Indiana to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of the Hard Rock brand and a part owner in the Gary casino. Ratcliff sold additional shares to the company building Rocksino by Hard Rock in Terre Haute.

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Hard Rock Gary's opening is delayed

February 4, 2021

As construction nears completion on the $300 million Hard Rock Casino in Gary Indiana, the Indiana Gaming Commission is deciding an ownership controversy regarding a major investor in the casino.

The commission has imposed an emergency suspension on the gaming license of Rod Ratcliff, the former CEO and major shareholder of Majestic Star. This action effectively stops the licensing of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana while Ratcliff is an owner or several background issues are sorted out.

A statement from the Indiana Gaming Commission reads:

"The new inland casino in Gary is important to the state and local community. The commission is focused on seeing the project completed and operational.

"Unfortunately, the actions of parties associated with Spectacle have created a high level of uncertainty regarding both suitability and project timeline. Until an acceptable path forward is identified, the commission will continue to act within its authority to protect gaming revenues and employees at the current operation in Gary."

- Sara Tait, Executive Director

In the meantime, the Hard Rock Casino may sit empty after construction is completed. To offset a loss in tax revenues, the Indiana Gaming Commission has directed the Majestic Star Casinos on Lake Michigan to not shut down in March or April as planned, but instead be prepared to operate until at least June.

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Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana celebrates groundbreaking

January 9, 2020

The Jacksons were featured at today's groundbreaking ceremony of the $300 million Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

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The ceremony was held in a huge tent at the center of the 30-acre casino site at the Borman Expressway and Burr Street. Attendees included three members of the Jackson 5, casino executives and state and local officials.

Jahnae Erpenbach, Executive VP of Spectacle Entertainment, expressed his enthusiasm for the casino:

"We are ready to rock the Region! As a Hard Rock destination, we are going to deliver unparalleled fun, excitement and incredible entertainment value."

The grand opening is targeted for New Years Eve 2020.

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News Headlines Continued

2022

Hard Rock introduces new "Messi Burger" March 9, 2022 - Hard Rock Cafe has partnered with soccer legend Lionel Messi to introduce a new burger to all Hard Rock Cafe menus worldwide. The new "Messi Burger" is the latest addition to Hard Rock International's "LIVE ... Read more

2021

Hard Rock Gary will open Hard Rock Live on Nov 4, 2021 September 25, 2021 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will open its Hard Rock Live concert center for the first time this November. The first concert will be the rock band Disturbed at 8 PM on Nov 4. Doors open at 7 PM. ... Read more Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana partners with White Sox Radio Network September 1, 2021 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with naming rights for the White Sox Radio Network. The deal extends to end of the 2023 season. ... Read more Hard Rock International takes over Hard Rock in Gary August 24, 2021 - Hard Rock International is taking majority ownership of the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, Indiana after a deal was worked out with the Indiana Gaming Commission and Spectacle Entertainment, a partner in ... Read more Hard Rock Gary opens with traditional guitar smash May 14, 2021 - The grand opening today of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana began with a traditional guitar smash at 11AM. Several legendary rock celebritees joined in the ceremony including ... Read more Hard Rock Gary opens today May 14 May 14, 2021 - The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary will open its doors for the first time today at 5PM. A traditional guitar-smashing ceremony is scheduled for 10AM this morning followed by the grand opening at 5PM. ... Read more Hard Rock Gary previews new casino with video tour May 11, 2021 - As the grand opening of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana approaches within a few days, the casino president, Matt Schuffert, gives of video tour of the features and amenities of the new casino. ... Read more Hard Rock Gary lights up guitar marquee April 9, 2021 - As a prelude to next month's the grand opening, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana unveiled its new guitar marquee sign last night when it lit up the 37-foot tall sign designed after Joe Jackson's guitar. ... Read more Hard Rock Casino in Gary announces May 14 opening March 24, 2021 - Hard Rock International announced yesterday the date for opening the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will be May 14. The traditional guitar smash will be held at 10 AM that day and the public ... Read more Indiana removes hold on Hard Rock Gary opening March 3, 2021 - Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana can now proceed forward with announcing an opening date after the Indiana Gaming Commission accepted a resolution of ownership issues ... Read more Hard Rock Gary's opening is delayed February 4, 2021 - As construction nears completion on the $300 million Hard Rock Casino in Gary Indiana, the Indiana Gaming Commission is deciding an ownership controversy regarding a major investor ... Read more

2020

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana celebrates groundbreaking January 9, 2020 - Today Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Spectacle Entertainment broke ground on a new $300 million casino in Gary, Indiana. ... Read more