An executive with Hard Rock International announced Tuesday that its new land-based casino in Gary will open its doors to the public on May 14, saying he believed “all the speed bumps” surrounding a former executive are behind them.
Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas said a Friends and Family event will take place on May 11, with a VIP only opening on May 13.
Prior to the announcement, the Indiana Gaming Commission board of directors ratified orders by commission staff calling for Rod Ratcliff, the former chief executive officer and chair of Spectacle Entertainment, to be divested from any ownership in entities associated with licensee Majestic Star Casinos and that he permanently relinquish his gaming license in Indiana.
The IGC board also approved a $530,000 settlement with Spectacle Entertainment for taking more than 50 days to follow the regulating agency’s order to remove Ratcliff and replace him with a new manager.
Hard Rock and Spectacle are partners in the $300 million Gary project and an upcoming casino project to be located in Terre Haute, called Lucy Luck.
Spectacle currently operates Majestic Star Casinos in Gary, which will close once the new casino opens.
“Never has a casino licensee failed to comply with an IGC order for more than 50 days,” said IGC Executive Director Sara Tait, in calling for the $530,000 fine.
Tait said she felt it was necessary to follow strict regulations for the integrity of Indiana gaming.
The IGC had filed a complaint with Lake Superior Court in February to permanently revoke Ratcliff’s Indiana gaming license, citing numerous examples of alleged wrongdoing, including being part of a scheme to funnel corporate campaign funds to an Indiana candidate for Congress, taking company money to fund his personal horse racing betting account without reporting it and obstructing justice.
The legal matters threatened to postpone the opening of the $300 million casino complex, located off Interstate 80/94 at the Burr Street exit.
IGC General Counsel Greg Small said remaining parties involved in the casino are in good standing, and ratifying the orders calling for Ratcliff’s divestiture “allows this very important economic development project to move forward.”
Tait said the transition from boat to land casino in Gary is important for the City of Gary and its residents.
Greg Gibson, vice chairman of Spectacle Entertainment, said its projects in Gary and Terre Haute have a total value of half a billion dollars.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said the Gary casino alone generated $52 million in construction contracts awarded to Lake County companies, $32 million of which went to Gary contractors. It also is providing 400 to 600 new jobs.
A spokeswoman for the union representing some Majestic Star workers said she and 24 co-workers were laid off and are in danger of losing their jobs. She said they were told they would have to reapply for new positions at Hard Rock. She said part of the agreement called for all Majestic Star employees to be given the opportunity to move over to Hard Rock.
State Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary, said he’s been working with Spectacle Entertainment to ensure those workers will find work at the new casino.
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