By Karen Caffarini, Post-Tribune correspondent
Hammond's Horseshoe Casino set a state record in monthly revenues in April, raking in $49.4 million.
The casino's revenues reflected only a slight increase from last month, at $49.1 million, but a whopping jump from its $40.5 million in revenues in April 2008, which was four months before the grand opening of Horseshoe's new $500 million expansion.
In addition to more gaming space, the larger casino vessel includes The Venue which features popular entertainers.
The Empress Casino, in Joliet, Ill., also has been closed since a fire on March 21.
"Horseshoe has so many more amenities to offer people, making them one of the bigger players in the Chicago market," said Ed Feigenbaum, editor of Indiana Gaming Insight. "No doubt the expansion had an impact."
Not all Indiana casinos were as lucky as Horseshoe.
"It was a month of highs and lows. On the other end of the state, French Lick had the second worst month of any casino in the state," Feigenbaum said. Its revenues totaled $6.7 million.
French Lick Casino also holds the record for the worst month since the first casino floated in Evansville in 1995 -- in December 2008.
Elsewhere in the region, Majestic Star and Majestic Star II at Buffington Harbor in Gary continue to struggle, reporting $9.8 million and $8.6 million in revenues, respectively, while Blue Chip in Michigan City registered a slight increase from last April. With $25 million, Ameristar in East Chicago brought in $4 million less than last April, when it was still Resorts.
Feigenbaum said it is unfair to say that Horseshoe is taking away from the other four casinos in the region, however.
"Each casino appeals to a different type of gambler and has a different market," Feigenbaum said.
Horseshoe Hammond and its parent company, Harrahs Entertainment, did not return phone calls for comment.