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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana casinos report decrease in casino revenues in July
Northwest Indiana's three casinos reported revenues of $69 million in July, a decrease of about 4.3% from the approximately $72.1 million reported for the same month last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw a slight decrease in earnings with about $37.3 million reported for July 2025 compared to $37.6 million reported in July 2024, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said July was a stronger month compared to June, but 'flat' compared to July 2024. 'The entire Northwest Indiana market was down, for us to stay relatively flat to prior year was a good thing for us. As we're starting to finish out summer and head into fall, our entertainment calendar really starts to get a little more packed,' Schuffert said. The Fourth of July was on a Friday this year, which helped increase revenues, Schuffert said. July marked the 45th month in a row Hard Rock remained the state's leader for gaming revenue, he said. 'Definitely a good, strong month for Hard Rock Northern Indiana in July,' Schuffert said. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago also reported decreases in revenue year over year in July. Horseshoe Hammond reported approximately $19 million in revenues in July 2025 and $20 million in revenues in July 2024. Ameristar Casino reported $12.7 million in revenues in July 2025 and $14.5 million in revenues in July 2024, according to the report. Hard Rock reported an increase in revenue from June to July, while Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar saw a decrease in revenue in the same time period. Hard Rock reported $31.7 million in revenues in June and $37.3 million in July, according to the report. Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.2 million in revenues in June and $19 million in July, while Ameristar reported $12.9 million in revenues in June and $12.7 million in July, according to the report. Ameristar and Horseshoe Hammond officials did not respond to requests for comment. August tends to be 'a mixed bag,' as parents help their students go back to school, Schuffert said. But, this August has five full weekends, including a part of Labor Day weekend, which could help bump up the numbers, he said. 'It's usually a decent month, not a great month,' Schuffert said.
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana casinos report decrease in June revenue
Northwest Indiana's three casinos reported revenues of $65.8 million in June, a decrease of about 7% from the approximately $70.8 million reported for the same month last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw a decrease in earnings with about $31.7 million reported for June 2025 compared to $36.7 million reported in June 2024, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said June is typically a challenging month for casinos as people attend graduations, weddings, and vacations. 'It's always our slowest month of the year,' Schuffert said. 'There's just a lot more things going on in people's lives. That was certainly the case this June, for us. Certainly seen one of our softer Junes since opening, but we certainly understand why.' June is a challenging month for regional casinos, as opposed to destination casinos, because people have more options to spend their budgeted entertainment dollars on as summer kicks off, Schuffert said. 'When people have other things occupying their time and taking away from their entertainment wallet, their entertainment dollar, then you're going to see businesses like this, on the entertainment side, have a lighter month,' Schuffert said. 'We budget that way, learn to live with it and we move on.' The casino added four slot machines with a $1 million jackpot in June, Schuffert said. June was the Hard Rock's lowest table game hold since the property opened, Schuffert said, which means that a lot of people won major jackpots in June. 'Certainly, that's something that we celebrate with our customers, all the wins,' Schuffert said. 'For us, kind of a challenging June, as it is for most of the market, just with a lot of other things going on and some large table games winning.' Horseshoe Hammond saw a revenue increase, while Ameristar Casino in East Chicago reported a decrease in revenue year over year in June. Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.2 million in revenues in June 2025, compared to $20 million in revenues in June 2024. Ameristar Casino reported $12.9 million in revenues in June 2025, a dip from $14.1 million in revenues in June 2024, according to the report. Ameristar reported a slight increase in revenue, while Hard Rock and Horseshoe Hammond reported a decrease in revenues from May to June. Ameristar reported $12.6 million in revenues in May and $12.9 million in revenues in June, according to the report. Hard Rock reported $39.9 million in revenues in May and $31.7 million in revenues in June, while Horseshoe Hammond reported $23.8 million in May and $21.2 million in revenues in June, according to the report. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar officials did not respond to requests for comment. For Hard Rock, July is trending well, Schuffert said, especially given that the Fourth of July holiday fell on a Friday this year. Then, the late summer and early fall entertainment calendar picks back up, he said. 'We look forward to rolling into that,' Schuffert said.
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana casinos report strong revenues in May
Northwest Indiana's three casinos reported revenues of $76.3 million in May, an increase of about 0.8% from the approximately $75.7 million reported for the same month last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw an increase in earnings with about $39.9 million reported for May 2025 compared to $39.3 million reported in May 2024, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said in May the casino celebrated its fourth year of operations in Gary. In that four-year period, May was its second strongest month behind March 2024, Schuffert said. The casino saw an increase in revenue in May because officials brought in the newest slot machines, offered many entertainment options and Memorial Day weekend saw a strong turnout. 'It was good to see business growing this May. Overall, a very strong month for us,' Schuffert said. 'Kudos to a great May and kudos to the team here doing a great job.' May was also a strong month for the Hard Rock with the Lake County Board of Commissioners approving the casino and the city of Gary's proposal for the Lake County Convention Center to be built near the casino. Schuffert said he was 'excited and honored' that the commissioners accepted the proposal. 'There's certainly a lot of work to do to get to that final product, but not only is it going to provide a boost in this area but certainly in all of Lake County,' Schuffert said. Horseshoe Hammond saw an increase while Ameristar Casino in East Chicago reported a decrease in revenue year over year in May. Horseshoe Hammond reported $23.8 million in revenues in May 2025 and $21.8 million in revenues in May 2024. Ameristar Casino reported $12.6 million in revenues in May 2025 and $14.6 million in revenues in May 2024, according to the report. All three casinos reported an increase in revenues from April to May. Hard Rock reported $37.7 million in revenues in April and $39.9 million in revenues in May. Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.1 million in revenues in April and $23.8 million in May, while Ameristar reported $13.7 million in revenues in April and $12.6 million in revenues in May. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar officials did not respond to requests for comment. Typically, June is a tough month for regional gaming revenue as people attend graduations, weddings, move out from school or go on vacation, Schuffert said. 'It's just always a challenging month as we're battling for people's time versus a lot of other things that are going on, and that's understandable,' Schuffert said.
Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana casinos see a decrease in revenues in March, April
Northwest Indiana's three casinos saw decreases in gaming revenue year over year in March and April, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming reports. The casinos reported revenues of $77 million in March, a decrease of about 9.2% from the approximately $84.8 million reported for the same month last year. The casinos reported revenues of $72.5 million in April, a decrease of about 5.6% from the approximately $76.8 million reported for the same month last year, according to the reports. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw a decrease in earnings with about $38.5 million reported for March 2025 compared to $42.6 million reported in March 2024. In April, Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw a decrease in earnings with approximately $37.7 million this year compared to $39.8 million last year, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said March and April were 'challenging months' for the whole regional market. This year, the Easter holiday was in April compared to being in March last year, which could've impacted numbers, he said. 'We continue to be the state leader in revenue for nearly four years straight,' Schuffert said. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago reported decreases in revenue year over year in March and April. Horseshoe Hammond reported $24.1 million in revenues in March 2025 and approximately $25 million in revenues in March 2024. Ameristar Casino reported $14.4 million in revenues in March 2025 and $17.2 million in revenues in March 2024, according to the report. Ameristar Casino reported $13.7 million in revenues in April 2025 and $14.8 million in revenues in April 2024. Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.1 million in revenues in April 2025 and $22.2 million in revenues in April 2024, according to the report. All three casinos reported an increase in revenues from February to March, according to the report. Ameristar reported revenues of $12.8 million in February and $14.4 million in March, according to the report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana reported revenues of $34.4 million in February and $38.5 million in March, while Horseshoe Hammond reported $20.2 million in February and $24.1 million in March, according to the report. All three casinos reported a decrease in revenues from March to April, according to the report. Hard Rock reported revenues of $38.5 million in March and $37.7 million in revenues in April, according to the report. Horseshoe Hammond reported $24.1 million in revenues in March and $21.1 million in revenues in April, while Ameristar reported $14.4 million in revenues in March and $13.7 million in revenues in April. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar officials did not respond to requests for comment. Looking ahead, Schuffert said May looks like it will be a strong revenue month. 'It's still early … but May has been very strong,' Schuffert said. 'All indications are that May will perform better year over year slightly than March and April.'
Chicago Tribune
24-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Northwest Indiana casinos see increased revenues year over year in January
Northwest Indiana's three casinos reported revenues of $68.2 million in January, an increase of about 7.1% from the approximately $63.7 million reported for the same month last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw an increase in earnings with about $36.9 million reported for January 2025 compared to $31.7 million reported in January 2024, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said January weather can make the start of the year a tricky one for the entertainment industry. But, despite a few pockets of cold weather, the casino was able to increase its revenue by about 16% year over year, he said. 'It was good to see that happen in a month that can be challenging from a weather perspective,' Schuffert said. 'Nasty weather keeps people at home and they don't like to drive when conditions are difficult. Despite some difficult weather days, we had some good results.' Hard Rock and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago reported increases in revenue year over year in January. Horseshoe Hammond reported a decrease in revenue within the same time frame. Hard Rock reported revenues of $31.7 million in January 2024 and $36.9 million in January 2025 and Ameristar Casino reported revenues of $13.1 million in January 2024 and $13.4 million in January 2025, according to the report. Horseshoe Hammond reported revenues of $18.9 million in January 2024 and $17.9 million in January 2025, according to the report. Hard Rock reported an increase in revenue from December to January, while Ameristar and Horseshoe Hammond reported decreases within the same period. Hard Rock reported $35.9 million in December 2024 and $36.9 million in January 2025. Ameristar reported $13.5 million in December 2024 and $13.4 million in January 2025, while Horseshoe Hammond reported $20.2 million in December 2024 and $17.9 million in January 2025. At the end of January and into February, the Hard Rock held its Lunar New Year celebration that likely helped boost January revenues and will hopefully do that same next month, Schuffert said. February has had some cold, snowy weather days so it'll be interesting to see how that impacts next month's report, Schuffert said. Additionally, February 2024 was a leap year, so that means this month will have one day less of revenue, Schuffert said. As a casino that brings in about $1.2 million to $1.3 million a day, losing a day has the potential to impact revenue year over year. 'With weather and losing that day year over year, I would expect the market to be down, but we'll see what happens,' Schuffert said. 'Looking forward to getting through the rest of winter here and bring on spring.'
