By Keith Benman and Dan Carden, Times of Northwest Indiana Staff Writers
Gary leaders said getting a land-based casino in the city remains their top priority, even if the odds may have to be recalculated in the wake of Majestic Star Casino LLC declaring bankruptcy Monday.
"We are still working with Don Barden because he is still the owner and operator of Majestic Star and still has the licenses," Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said Tuesday. "We are still working together to make sure we get the land-based casino."
The two Majestic Star gaming boats at Gary's Buffington Harbor remain open pending the bankruptcy proceeding.
State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, has been spearheading the effort in the Indiana Legislature to allow Barden to move one of his casinos to a site near the heavily traveled Borman Expressway.
"My major, major interest is protecting the interests of Gary and making sure those licenses are still viable and operating, at least one of them, here in Gary," Brown said.
Gary officials have proposed that one of Barden's licenses could be sold or given to another city with the understanding that a portion of that city's new casino revenue would be returned to Gary. Brown wants that money used to establish a new teaching hospital.
A legislative study committee studying gaming statewide is set to meet Dec. 8, and many expect it to issue recommendations that may affect Gary's drive to have a land-based casino.
In addition to the two Majestic Star gaming boats at Buffington Harbor, the company also owns casinos in Tunica, Miss., and near Denver.
Barden opened his first Majestic Star Casino in Gary in June 1996. In 2005 his company bought the Trump Casino, which was located next door to Majestic Star in Buffington Harbor. It now also carries the Majestic Star name.
Gov. Mitch Daniels said Majestic Star may have to give up its ownership of the two gaming boats in Gary, but the casinos will stay open and workers will stay employed.
"In this whole area, like others, the business ownership may come and go, but the service is going to stay and the employees will still be employed," Daniels said.
The chairman of the gaming study committee, state Sen. Luke Kenley, R-Noblesville, said it was "premature" to speculate on what effect the Majestic Star bankruptcy might have on his committee's recommendations.
"Everybody has known for some time that they (Majestic Star) were in financial difficulty, so I don't think the actual filing is changing anyone's perception of the situation," Kenley said.