Gaming America was on location for the launch of Indiana’s 13th casino. CDI’s latest gaming facility opened Friday morning at 10:30AM after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, complete with a live band. However, the chilly temperatures did not deter the large crowd that was gathered outside of the casino.
Hundreds of excited guests lined up outside of Terre Haute Casino Resort (THCR) over the weekend in anticipation of the facility’s grand opening.
Warm and friendly chatter rippled through the group as people shared their excitement to welcome their long-awaited local casino.
Those in attendance for the destination’s debut included Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun, who offered some brief comments during the celebration.
He said, “This premier gaming facility will make it possible to welcome visitors from across the Midwest, the nation and the world here to Terre Haute.
“The opportunity this creates for the people of our community is a true testament to the leaders who have worked on this project for years.”
CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen reflected on the company’s commitment to the local community by saying, “Today’s grand opening of Terre Haute Casino Resort is a time to reflect on the promises Churchill Downs made, kept and delivered for this community.
“An occasion like today feels like the end of all the effort to successfully get us to this point, but it’s actually just the beginning of what this project can do for Vigo County and the State of Indiana.”
As a sea of people waited in the foyer once the doors opened, casino staff threw THCR brand t-shirts into the crowd. The casino resort gave away 1,000 shirts to guests as they made their way into the clean and smoke-free facility.
Terre Haute’s casino floor is home to 1,000 slot machines, which were quickly occupied as people continued to pour inside. Those walking through the gaming space experienced significant waiting times to find a seat at one of their favorite slots.
However, plenty of empty seats were available in the high-limit room, located just off the main casino gaming floor.
Table games also rapidly filled up within minutes of the doors opening. THCR is home to 36 table games that offer blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, as well as to a new sportsbook.
The momentum did not slow down, even during the lunchtime hours. Slots and table games continued to remain full well into the afternoon, with several players waiting to find an empty chair.
The sheer volume of eager patrons waiting to gamble rivaled and even surpassed some of the busiest Las Vegas Strip hot spots.
By early evening, on-site security had closed the parking lot due to reaching its maximum capacity.
But this did not stop more Hoosiers from coming into the casino. Guests began parking in local business lots and in other empty parking lot spaces along the highway, while walking the remaining distance to the casino.
This included visitors filling the parking lot at a local Church of Christ, located within a quarter mile of the casino!
The line at guest services spilled into the casino floor, as players waited to cash in their chips and tickets once they were done with their sessions. Other slot machine players waited more than 15 minutes in their seats for an attendant to come to them and deliver their jackpot hand payouts.
In addition to the full gaming floor, all open restaurants and bars were also fully occupied.
Casino guests at Terre Haute have access to plenty of dining and drinking options. The casino has six bars and five restaurants. Among those is the Four Cornered Steakhouse, which is a regionally inspired restaurant, and the Altitude Bar and Lounge.
However, those who want to stay onsite will have to wait a few more weeks. The hotel portion of the new destination, which features 122 luxury rooms, a hotel pool, rooftop lounge and coffee shop, will not open until May 15.
A successful opening, however, as Indiana's gaming legacy continues to expand.
