There are eleven riverboat casinos in Indiana, five in the northwest of the state and six in the south, spread along the state’s river boundaries except for one in Orange County. Yesterday the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) approved a deal whereby an unresolved legal battle between developers of the French Lick Resort in Orange County can be ended. The dispute started last summer over control of the US$382 million project but it has been agreed that Lauth Property Group will now sell its 50% holding to Orange County Holdings, the other party in the casino development.

Founded in 1811 as a French trading post, nearby sulphur springs made French Lick a spa town. Part of the dispute arose over the amount of money spent on the renovation of the French Lick Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel and cost overruns of at least US$20 million. The IGC expressed satisfaction that the protracted legal battle had not stopped the two companies from getting the casino up and running, and that they had avoided contentious litigation by coming to an amicable buyout arrangement.

Yesterday the IGC also approved the renewal of Don Barden’s two Majestic Star casino licences in Gary and new rules for the Horseshoe Casino expansion in Hammond. There was no opposition to either proposal although it had previously been suggested that the Majestic Star licences could be amalgamated to allow a new casino to be built. The new rules approved are for the proper construction of riverboats. As in Louisiana, the Coast Guard has said it is to stop overseeing riverboat casinos in Indiana.
(E-06.08.07)

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