Hoosier Park set to open slots era in Indiana Monday

The slots era in Indiana will officially kick off Monday when Hoosier Park opens its 92,000-square-foot facility to the public. The Anderson-based operator has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 9 a.m. Dignitaries that will be on hand for the grand opening include Anderson mayor Kris Ockomon, Rod Ratcliff, Centaur chairman and CEO, Jim Brown, general manager of gaming for Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, and Rick Moore, general manager of racing.

Prior to the opening, Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is hosting events in order to give some an opportunity to preview the facility, as well as provide operators a test run before Monday. One such event took place Thursday evening, with another scheduled for Sunday.

"It's a regulatory imperative that we go through a test day, so we thought we'd have some fun with it and let some special folks preview the facility," Brown told the Indianapolis Star. "Along with ensuring regulatory compliance, we're in training mode now, and our team members could use the interaction with customers, so that gives us a chance to improve our products and service."

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will offer 2,000 slot machines, the maximum allowed by the state.

Indiana Downs is also on the verge of opening a 70,000-square-foot temporary facility, and has plans to do so in June. Mark Hemmerle, who will oversee Indiana Live! Casino, said the temporary facility will offer right around 1,900 machines. The temporary structure will also offer 2,000 parking spaces for customers. The Shelbyville track is in the midst of building a 270,000 square-foot permanent facility slated to open in early 2009.

“We’re coming along really quite well,” he added. “All the slots have been delivered. We’re looking at early June. We’ll have a test opening and run from there.”

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