The entrance to the Hard Rock Casino in Gary features a giant replica of Joe Jackson's guitar. John J. Watkins, The Times
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has outperformed the 12 other commercial casinos in the Hoosier State for three full years.
Data released Wednesday by the Indiana Gaming Commission show Hard Rock in October once again tallied more "win" — or revenue after paying successful bettors — than any of its competitors for a 36th consecutive month.
Hard Rock's three years at the top isn't the longest streak in Indiana gaming history. But it's notable because Hard Rock claimed the title from the state's former earnings leader, Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, barely five months after opening May 14, 2021, and no other casino appears poised to challenge the Gary gaming, dining and entertainment destination for state supremacy.
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, credited its nearly 1,400 employees — almost all of whom hail from Gary or Lake County — along with Hard Rock's expansive dining and entertainment menus for helping it reach three years as the statewide leader in gaming revenue.
"All aspects our business grew year-over-year in October, which continues to signify Hard Rock as the premiere entertainment destination in Chicagoland," Schuffert said.
Schuffert also is optimistic the momentum will continue ahead of the Hard Rock Million Dollar Giveaway on Dec. 27, where one lucky casino guest will win $1 million, and especially if Hard Rock and the city of Gary are selected in coming weeks by the Lake County Board of Commissioners to build and operate the proposed Lake County convention center.
According to the IGC, Hard Rock tallied $38.9 million in win in October. That was an 18.2% increase compared to its October 2023 win of $32.9 million, and single-handedly accounted for more than 19% of the state's $201.7 million in total casino win for the tenth month of 2024.
Data show Hard Rock’s state-leading slot machine play totaled $280.1 million in October, with a state-best win of $26.4 million; compared to October 2023 slot win of $25 million on $257.8 million in play.
Hard Rock also led the state for October table game play, primarily baccarat, with $49.3 million, and was tops in table win at $12.6 million.
In fact, considerably more money once again was wagered at Hard Rock table games in October than the tables at the three other Northwest Indiana casinos combined ($33.6 million).
According to the IGC, Horseshoe Casino in Hammond last month ranked third in the state behind its Horseshoe Indianapolis sister property with $20.6 million in win — down 11.7% from its October 2023 win of $23.4 million.
Monthly win at Ameristar Casino in East Chicago also dropped by 8.8% to $13.9 million in October compared with $15.3 million for the same month in the prior year.
Though win at Blue Chip Casino, in Michigan City, grew to $10.2 million versus $10 million last October, an increase of 1.6%, according to the IGC.
Across the state line, Bally's Chicago Casino reported October win of $10.7 million to the Illinois Gaming Board. The Chicago casino in October was eclipsed for visitors and revenue for a second consecutive month by the new Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois.
Data show Indiana set a new record online and retail sports wagering handle of $537.9 million last month, compared to $429.7 million in October 2023. The previous monthly record of $513.7 million came in November 2023.
In total, Indiana in October collected $44.1 million in tax revenue from slot machine and table game play, and $3.3 million from settled sports wagers, according to the IGC.
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