Officials in Vigo County, Indiana have signed a local development agreement (LDA) with Hard Rock International, a move that could allow the operator to immediately break ground on a Terre Haute casino if its license is approved next month.
Hard Rock, Churchill Downs, Full House Resorts and Premier Gaming Group / Terre Haute Entertainment Holdings have all submitted applications for a casino license in Terre Haute.
Hard Rock is the only operator so far to have also submitted an LDA, and its approval doesn’t necessarily mean the operator is in a better position to be licensed than its competitors.
An LDA is required by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to award a gaming license in the county, according to the Tribune-Star.
The IGC will announce the license recipient by Nov. 17.
"Hard Rock came to us and asked us to sign an LDA, and because of that local support with Greg, Mr. Gibson, and Hard Rock being shovel ready day one, and this is something that should have started months ago and should be open right now as far as I am concerned, we are excited for them [Hard Rock] and hopefully they get selected,” said Vigo County Commissioner Chris Switzer.
He added, “We are just trying to make a good decision on who we would like to work with, and at the end of the day, (the IGC) will make that selection and it has nothing to do with us. We can throw our support where we want, but it is up to the Indiana Gaming Commission.”
The Hard Rock LDA would generate $4.6m for Terre Haute if the casino is located within the city, the Tribune-Star reported. A supplemental wagering tax would generate another $2.6m.
