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A series of minor delays on a new Indiana casino project will push back its opening date. Instead of opening in late 2023, the Queen of Terre Haute Casino will now open in early 2024.
According to Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett, though, the delays have been resolved and construction is back on track.
Minor setbacks for the Queen of Terre Haute
The first issue that temporarily delayed the project was a Federal Aviation istration (FAA) study. According to the FAA, concerns around the casino height presented flight path hazards. As a result, Churchill Downs, who owns the project, decided to lower the size of the building from 150 feet to 141 feet.
Sometime later, a second FAA study looked into the proposed height of the casino hotel, causing yet another delay. Luckily, the second FAA study concluded that the project didn’t pose any more significant concerns.
Kentucky-based Churchill Downs began construction on the $240 million casino project in June. The facility will be ready to compete with any others in Indiana when it opens.
Terre Haute casino will include all the amenities
The casino, which will be Indiana’s 13th casino, will feature 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a sportsbook. The property will also include three restaurants, two bars, and a four-star 125-room hotel.
Jason Sauer, VP of corporate development for Churchill Downs Inc., said:
“We’re excited to start down the path to groundbreaking on a nearly 50-acre site that’s easily accessible from I-70 and State Road 46. With continued oversight from the Indiana Gaming Commission, we look forward to taking the final steps in order to make this project a reality, and we are prepared to deliver a true destination casino resort to Vigo County.”
Additionally, Sauer said the casino would employ about 500 full and part-time workers. The casino estimates it can generate upwards of $630 million in gross gaming revenue while serving more than 1.3 million customers each year. The casino expects 6.7 million visitors during its first five years of operation.
