ANDERSON — Plastic still clung to most of the slot machines, but the expanded Hoosier Park casino was ready for previewing Tuesday.
The 24-hour gambling destination will open to the public at 9 a.m. June 2, assuming approval from the Indiana Gaming Commission, according to Hoosier Park’s general manager for gaming, Jim Brown, who spoke to local officials and media during a lunchtime event.
Before then, casino staff will install the remaining electronic games, bringing the total on opening day to around 2,000. Hoosier Park employees will also go through a test day later this month to ensure gaming, security and accounting systems all get the go-ahead from the state.
The testing date is scheduled for May 29 and will bring thousands of invited guests into Hoosier Park for two-hour gambling shifts, Brown said.
But even though most people won’t see the gaming space until next month, the 92,000-square-foot casino floor was nearly finished Tuesday.
The gaming center is an oblong room with high ceilings and wall-to-wall carpeting. The elevated Double R Bar serves as the room’s nucleus, and from that central point, rows after rows of electronic slot machines radiate out toward the walls.
The machines’ video screen were still blank Tuesday, but in less than three weeks, hundreds of people will likely be hitting their blinking buttons hoping for a jackpot.
Brown emphasized the importance of having a well-designed gaming space to draw customers and make them feel comfortable.
“This isn’t a warehouse with slot machines,” he said.
Hoosier Park is unique among gambling sites around Indiana, because the facility tries to blend gaming, horse track races and dining, Brown said.
Indeed, the term “racino” is often used to describe the concept in a single word, but perhaps “racinoraunt” is really what Brown and his team unveiled Tuesday.
Nine new bars and restaurants are going in at Hoosier Park, including a full-service buffet, steakhouse, quick dining options and a 24-hour New York-style delicatessen.
“We designed this facility to be a seamlessly integrated racino, gaming and dining facility,” Brown said.
Windows in the gaming room look out on the horse track, and gamblers are a short walk from the restaurants and terrace seating for viewing the races.
Live shows could also be coming to Hoosier Park. Brown said an indoor space could accommodate 500 people, with an outdoor space suitable for around 5,000.
Hoosier Park is employing an estimated 550 workers, and including tips and benefits will provide $40 million to those employees on an annual basis.
The casino is also expected to provide Madison County and Anderson governments with $8 million in revenue, plus $1.6 million in property tax payments.
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May 13, 2008
HOOSIER PARK: Tentative opening June 2
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