Hard Rock has a happy holiday season at the slots and tables
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Holiday shoppers and new year’s revelers made time to try their luck at Northwest Indiana's casinos in December in between gatherings with family and friends.
Data released Friday by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) show Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana last month tallied more “win,” or revenue after paying successful bettors, than any of the 11 other commercial casinos in the Hoosier State for a 26th consecutive month.
Hard Rock reported $36.2 million in December win — a 7.1% increase compared to its December 2022 win of $33.8 million, according to the IGC.
The Gary gaming, dining and entertainment destination also accounted for nearly 18% of the state’s $206.4 million in total casino win for the twelfth month of 2023.
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said December was a “remarkable” finish to the year.
“We had an incredible New Years Eve, highlighted by performances by CeeLo Green and Sugar Ray,” Schuffert said. “The amount of positive vibe you experience at Hard Rock Northern Indiana is incredible — cementing us as the Region’s top entertainment destination.”
Looking ahead, Schuffert said Hard Rock once again will feature a full entertainment calendar this year, including Flo Rida, Ron White, The Commodores & The Spinners, and Tim Allen, along with exciting casino games and delicious dining options.
“It is amazing to see continued growth in slot and table games volume nearly three years after opening the doors, with over 15% growth in our slot business year-over-year,” Schuffert said.
Records show Hard Rock’s state-leading slot machine play totaled $286.9 million in December, with a state-best win of $27.3 million; compared to December 2022 slot win of $23.6 million on $243 million in play.
In addition, the Gary casino led the state for December table game play, primarily baccarat, with $52 million, and was tops in table win at $8.9 million.
To put that in perspective, more money was wagered at Hard Rock table games in December than the tables at the three other Northwest Indiana casinos combined ($46.6 million), records show.
According to the IGC, the state’s former earnings leader, Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, last month ranked third in the state behind its Horseshoe Indianapolis sister property with $23.6 million in win — down 8% from its December 2022 win of $25.7 million.
Monthly win at Ameristar Casino in East Chicago also fell 7.5% to $15.1 million in December compared with $16.4 million for the same month in the prior year.
But last month’s win at Blue Chip Casino, in Michigan City, totaled $11.6 million versus $10.5 million last December, an increase of 11%, according to the IGC.
The popularity of sports wagering on Hoosiers’ mobile devices and at sports books inside the state’s casinos remained near record highs in December.
The statewide online and retail sports wagering handle was $503.1 million last month, compared with $431.4 million in December 2022. The all-time monthly record of $513.7 million was set in November 2023.
In total, Indiana in December collected $53.7 million in tax revenue from slot machine and table game play, and $4.8 million from settled sports wagers, according to the IGC.
