All four Northwest Indiana casinos posted year-over-year increases in revenues in February, with total revenues climbing almost 60%, from $56 million to $89.04 million.
Indiana gaming revenues across the state were up 48.5%.
While much of the increase can be attributed to the transition from the two Majestic Star Casinos, which took in $8.42 million in February 2021, to Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary, which raked in $31.58 million last month, Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Ameristar in East Chicago and Horseshoe Hammond also scored higher revenues, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission report released on Friday.
Ameristar took in $18.11 million in revenues last month, a 17.6% hike over the $15.4 million it took in during February 2021. Blue Chip recorded $10.66 million in revenues, a 43% jump from the $7.46 million it took in the previous February, and Horseshoe Hammond raked in $28.69 million, a 16% increase from $24.72 million.
“Thinking back to a year ago, a lot has changed, People are ready to get out and be entertained, and the numbers show that. Horseshoe once again saw strong visitation in February,” said Shannon McKellar, vice president, marketing, for the Hammond casino.
Indiana gaming analyst Ed Feigenbaum said Hard Rock Northern Indiana, which opened in Gary last spring, expanded the overall market.
Hard Rock again led the state in total revenues and table win, which brought in $9.4 million, a fact that doesn’t surprise Feigenbaum.
“We’ve always seen whenever a casino opens or makes a significant expansion it pays off for the casino,” Feigenbaum said.
He noted, for instance, Horseshoe Hammond’s dominance after its $485 million expansion in 2008.
“People like new,” he said. “People seem to be really happy with Hard Rock. In particular, it seems to have captured the baccarat community.”
February was very a strong month for Hard Rock Northern Indiana, according to its president, Matthew Schuffert.
“Despite only having 28 days, February produced one of our strongest months since we opened last May. This was the first month we led the northern half of the state in both slot volume and slot win, and we continue to grow our table games business, posting our largest table games drop with only 28 days,” Schuffert said.
“Although we continue to dominate the baccarat business, we posted very strong growth in many other game types, particularly in blackjack and craps.”
McKellar said Horseshoe Hammond is having several events to draw visitors in March, including its second St. Patrick’s Day parade with floats and bagpipes on the casino floor on March 17 with the Venue featuring Ginuwine, 112 and SWV on March 18 followed by Festival of Praise on March 19.
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