Hard Rock to Enter Indiana Through Terre Haute Casino
Indiana legalized sports betting in 2019, and the industry has been growing ever since. Over ten sportsbooks are operating in Indiana, including big platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and William Hill.
Hard Rock Sportsbook will enter the pool of operators in the state soon because of an agreement with the Terre Haute Casino.
The Agreement Between Hard Rock International and Lucy luck Gaming
This week, Lucy Luck Gaming and Hard Rock International reached a management agreement for the new Terre Haute Casino. The casino has still not broken ground, but it’s coming soon after this deal. Lucy Luck Gaming is an Indiana casino development firm that was established in 2020.
The Indiana Gaming Commission wanted the deal to be finalized before awarding the gaming license to the casino. The casino is rumored to open in the middle of 2022, but Hard Rock Sportsbook will launch before doors open at Terre Haute.
There will be a retail sportsbook inside the 100,000 square foot property, along with 1,200 slot machines and 50 table games.
Greg Gibson, chairman of Lucy Luck Gaming, was very excited about the agreement with Hard Rock International. He spoke to the Tribune-Star about the contract and a future opening date for the retail sportsbook at Terre Haute Casino.
“There is no definite groundbreaking date set yet for Terre Haute. We are working with the Indiana Gaming Commission on our annual license renewal and approval of a finance plan, so that we will be in a position to break ground as soon as possible.”
Hard Rock International will be a part-owner and manage the property. Lucy Luck Gaming has been seeking investors throughout the construction process to help Hard Rock International successfully run the new property.
Terre Haute Casino will work with five Indiana banks as investors for the property. The casino will be operated under the Hard Rock brand and called a “Rocksino.
Hard Rock Sportsbook
It’s unknown when Hard Rock Sportsbook will launch in an online format in the state. Although, the brand will gain market access through the agreement with Lucy Luck and Terre Haute Casino.
Hard Rock Sportsbook is currently available in Iowa and New Jersey. The mobile app is gaining traction throughout the legal market, but growth is critical for the app. Indiana has developed into a competitive mobile wagering market.
It will be difficult for the sportsbook to compete in the market initially. However, the Terre Haute Casino will be the company’s second property in the state.
The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana opened last week, and it received rave reviews. There is no sportsbook at this location, but the property will help spread the Hard Rock brand in the state. The mobile sportsbook will be advertised at the Northern Indiana facility, which will be beneficial before Terre Haute Casino opens.
The main complaint with Hard Rock Sportsbook is the markets on the platform. The company needs to expand its gaming capability, but this is expected as the book gains popularity.