A sweeping gambling reform approved by state lawmakers in mid-2019 enabled Spectacle to move casino operations from one of its riverboats on dry land. Spectacle owned two Majestic Star riverboat casinos in the same city at the time. Hard Rock and Spectacle partnered in 2019 to jointly develop and open the Gary casino. He went on that they “ believe in the project and feel good about being in this community and in this jurisdiction.”įinancial details about the deal that will see Hard Rock assume at least 85% ownership of the Gary casino were not disclosed. Important to Clear Up Ownership Troublesįollowing the Wednesday approval, Hard Rock COO Jon Lucas said that they considered it important to clear up the Gary casino’s ownership issues and alleviate all concerns state regulators had.

Ratcliff has denied all allegations leveled against him. He was also found to have made improper job offers to government lobbyists. Ratcliff continued exerting control over the casino operator even after he gave up his license and wrongly transferred just under $1 million in company money to his personal horse race betting account.

Keeler were ordered by the Gaming Commission to give up their ownership stakes in Spectacle and surrender their casino licenses.Īccording to state gaming officials, Mr.

The property is currently majority owned by Spectacle Entertainment.Įarly last year, the Indianapolis-based company found itself in the middle of a political scandal that involved its CEO, Rod Ratcliff, and General Counsel, John Keeler, who allegedly illegally directed money from Spectacle to fund an Indiana lawmaker’s run for the US Congress in 2015.Īfter their participation in the illegal campaign donations was confirmed, Mr. Florida-based casino and hospitality company Hard Rock International is set to take over a casino in Northwestern Indiana from an ownership group whose top executives have been hit with financial and criminal misconduct allegations.ĭuring its Wednesday meeting, the Indiana Gaming Commission approved a deal that will see Hard Rock acquire at least 85% of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary.

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