BY LU ANN FRANKLIN, Times of Northwest Indiana Correspondent
Las Vegas-style glitz, glamour and gaming have arrived in Hammond.
During a media tour Thursday afternoon, officials at Horseshoe Casino unveiled the $500 million expansion that more than doubled the size of the main floor casino and added a 2,500-seat entertainment facility. Construction on the 350,000-square-foot facility began in April 2006.
"This compares to anything Las Vegas has," said Kevin Kline, vice president and assistant general manager.
Lavish details are everywhere in the casino, which is owned by Harrah's Entertainment Inc.
Crystal chandeliers by the dozens -- each more than 8 feet in diameter -- sparkle down from the casino's 21-foot-high ceiling. Tones of copper, chocolate and trademark "Horseshoe gold" blend with intricate moldings, ornate sconces and hand-plastered walls.
Hand-blown glass flowers, created by Italian artisans, adorn the High Limit Table area, while authentic Mongolian saddles accent the private gaming rooms in the Le Cheng Casino. This Asian-themed gaming area, the name of which means "city of happiness," was designed for Horseshoe's Asian customers, Kline said. It features tables for baccarat, poker, blackjack and pai gow tiles.
"The woodwork was hand-carved in China and shipped in pieces and assembled here," Kline said. "The room has angles that are significant in Chinese culture.
The Asian customer base also inspired the casino's Aug. 8 grand opening date, Kline said.
"Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese and other Asian cultures," he said. "The first concert in our new entertainment area will feature two top stars coming in from Hong Kong."
The 2,500-seat multipurpose entertainment facility called The Venue provides space for top-name performers, theater productions, sporting events and banquets, Kline said. The four-level facility features seats that can be retracted for concerts where standing room is traditional.
The Venue also has six VIP boxes that feature couches, plasma televisions and full food and beverage service.
Another new area at the Horseshoe Casino is the 34-table poker room that includes Benny's Back Room, a VIP private poker area named for Benny Binion, founder of the original Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. In mid-October, this poker room will be the setting for the World Series of Poker circuit events.
Other features at the newly renovated Horseshoe include:
* A High-Limit Table Room where gamblers can play three-card poker, mini-baccarat and blackjack and gamblers can bet up to $25,000 a hand.
* The 7-Stars Lounge for the casino's high rollers. Complementary cuisine is offered.
* More than 3,200 slot machines, including one that takes $1,000 tokens.
* A live keno area, which is the first in the Calumet Region.
* Vintage 51, a wine bar that offers wine by the glass, unique cocktails and micro-brew beers.
* Jack Binion's Steakhouse, which has been expanded to accommodate 200 diners and has a panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
"We want the Horseshoe Casino to be a Midwest destination," Kline said. "It's just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago."