Casino officially announces new name

Shelby News
 
Casino officially announces new name
Wild Casino

The sounds of gaming machines could be heard late Tuesday morning as the local casino officially unveiled its new naming and branding as Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing and Casino.

“Caesars Entertainment is raising the stakes on gaming in Central Indiana,” Horseshoe Indianapolis Senior Vice President and General Manager Steve Jarmuz told invited guests who gathered on the casino floor.

The casino began a $33.7 million enhancement and expansion in April 2021, adding more than 25,000 square feet in gaming space that includes the World Series of Poker gaming room, which has more than 20 tables.

That, coupled with Caesars Entertainment’s sports book, “gives our guests the unique venue and gaming opportunities all located on one floor,” Jarmuz said.

Along with the World Series of Poker room, in front of that room is a new video poker bar. There are new design elements at the center bar, and the casino has added more surface parking.

The lights on the gaming floor were also upgraded as well as new carpet.

There are now more than 170 gaming machines in the bar, Jarmuz said.

The construction project is not finished, he went onto say.

Brew Brothers Restaurant is under construction with the completion dates stretching into the summer. It sits adjacent to the Caesars racing sports book and offers 20 locally-brewed craft beers.

And the casino is in the process of renovating the high-limit table room and high-limit slot room with a new VIP lounge attached to the table gaming space, Jarmuz said.

“It’s yet another opportunity to expand the activities that we have available for recreation in our community, but it’s more than that," Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun said. “It’s a commitment to the community by the Caesars group. We appreciate everything they do for the community. it’s not just about the opportunities they present but the people as well.”

Indiana Gaming Commission Executive Director Greg Small said that Caesars has a long track record as a corporate partner at both the state and local level.

Its continued investment in that partnership strengthens that relationship, he said.

During the announcement, Jarmuz noted that the casino distributed more than $525,000 in charitable contributions in 2021.

Later, he said it was exciting to be a part of a team and a property that is growing.

“Having worked in other states, I can tell you that what we have here is unique and special,” he said. “There’s a tremendous amount of growth opportunity here in Central Indiana, and we’re happy to be part of that.”

In looking at the market around Central Indiana, it became obvious that the size and scope of the existing properties needed to be enhanced, he said.

“The addition of the poker room is something that’s brand new to the market,” he said. “Before January, there was no legal poker game in the Indianapolis market.”

While the full name will be Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing and Casino, he expects it to be known in Shelbyville and around Central Indiana as the Horseshoe.

The name is a way to bring national awareness to where the casino is, he said.

“While our name has officially changed and a good majority of our products have been upgraded and enhanced, we’re only scratching the surface,” Jarmuz said.

Along with the arrival of Brew Brothers in June, and the high-slots area expected to be ready in mid-April, there are some “exciting things in the works” with an announcement hopefully coming soon, he said.