TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — The future of the new casino in Terre Haute is in limbo.
The Indiana Gaming Commission announced Thursday it will not renew the gaming license for Lucy Luck to operate a casino in Terre Haute. According to The Tribune Star, the commission said it wasn’t pleased with the company because it didn’t hire an executive team and the plan wasn’t fully funded.
The casino is supposed to be constructed and operated by Hard Rock, and it was scheduled to open next year, but that might not happen.
The commission will now reopen the application process for someone to operate the license.
Greg Gibson of Lucy Luck Gaming says they are disappointed in the decision by the gaming commission, and says he’s not sure if they will reapply for the license.
Full statement from Greg Gibson of Lucy Luck Gaming:
“The news we received today, although it wasn’t what we had anticipated or hoped for, isn’t the end of the journey. Lucy Luck Gaming has been prepared to begin construction on this project for months. We have worked tirelessly alongside many to bring this project to the Terre Haute community. We have developed our team, our finances, and detailed our operations to secure our license. However, more importantly, Terre Haute has worked hard for this project. The citizens have worked hard for this project. I am deeply disappointed in what came from today’s meeting, and disappointed that a community who has fought and stood ready received such news. I believe in my community, and I believe in this project. As for Lucy Luck, we may reapply, but I’m not sure if we will. We certainly have accomplished our original goal of bringing a gaming license to Vigo County. The community can take solace in the fact that there will eventually be a gaming facility here. It truly saddens me to know that the Terre Haute license will be open for a bidding process amongst companies who will be interested in the project solely for monetary gain, and with companies who don’t know our community like Lucy Luck does. For me, this project has always been about Terre Haute; it’s been about my home community. Terre Haute deserves this casino, and I wish it could be alongside Lucy Luck Gaming.”
