Gambling in the USA

Spectacle Entertainment and Hard Rock International Break Ground On $400 Million Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

Published

6 years ago

January 13, 2020

Spectacle Entertainment and Hard Rock International announced the development and construction of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana at an official groundbreaking ceremony held on Thursday, Jan. 9. The ceremony was conducted at the construction site, located at 5400 West 29^th Ave. in Gary, and included state and local officials, Spectacle Entertainment and Hard Rock executives.

Concluding the ceremony, Executive Director of the Indiana Gaming Commission Sara Tait, Spectacle Entertainment Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rod Ratcliff and Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Marcellus Osceola planted shovels to commemorate the start of construction on Indiana’s first Hard Rock property. Various other officials, including Gary Mayor Jerome Prince and Hard Rock International Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas joined the trio on stage.

The premier 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex is a joint venture between the two companies and will include six food venues, a sportsbook, a retail shop, a 2,000-seat showroom and more than 2,130 gaming positions. Phase two of the project will see the addition of a 200-plus-room hotel and a multi-level parking garage.

Guests of Honor at the ceremony were Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson, of the world-renowned Jackson family. The brothers began their career while residing in Gary and returned to the area as a group for the first time in fifty years. With hits like “I Want You Back” and “Never Can Say Goodbye,” The Jacksons are known as one of the most influential families in musical history.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is forecasting more than $20 million annually in tax revenue and payments to the City of Gary and surrounding communities. Approximately 1,000 construction jobs, with an emphasis to hire union labor, and an estimated additional 500 jobs are expected. With a location adjacent to the 80/94 Burr Street interchange and approximately 193,000 cars passing daily, the expectation is to become the leading entertainment destination for the entire Northern Indiana region.

Additionally, Spectacle Entertainment has a commitment to local investment with a pledge to work with minority and women owned businesses. Currently all 17 senior leaders at Spectacle’s Majestic Star Casino are board directors for local charitable and community organizations in Gary and the Northern Indiana region. The team has sponsored, participated and volunteered for multiple local events and programs throughout the year, with a plan to directly drive more than $500,000 in fundraising in 2020.

Ratcliff stated, “Breaking ground for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is the start of an incredible partnership between Spectacle Entertainment, Hard Rock International and the City of Gary, Indiana. It is an honor to be here today and to see this dream become a reality. A lot of work has gone into this project, a lot of planning. I’m grateful to all those who played a part in it. There is no doubt this is a game changer for Gary, Indiana and the entire Northern Indiana region.”

Hard Rock has a presence in 76 countries and is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Spectacle Entertainment is confident the Hard Rock name will attract visitors throughout the region and beyond, maximize job creation, increase tax revenues, and greatly benefit the City of Gary and the State of Indiana.

“It’s an honor to partner with Spectacle Entertainment on this project, bringing the Hard Rock brand of world-class entertainment to Northern Indiana,” said Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International. “This property will be the premier casino destination in the region.”

Source: hardrock.com

Andrea Mata

Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract

Published

5 days ago

April 2, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

teamsters-at-park-mgm-unanimously-ratify-strong-first-contract

Front desk workers at Park MGM, represented by Teamsters Local 986, have unanimously ratified a strong first collective bargaining agreement. The two-year contract protects and rewards 82 workers, delivering higher wages, improved benefits, and stronger workplace protections.

The bargaining unit includes front desk clerks, head cashiers, rooms controllers, lobby ambassadors, and guest service representatives. They play a critical role in delivering a seamless and welcoming guest experience from check-in to check-out.

“Organizing with Local 986 was an easy choice that led to overwhelmingly positive results. This contract allows me to provide a better future for myself and my family. I’m very grateful for all the support throughout this process,” said Andrea Mata, a front desk clerk and proud member of Local 986.

Under the new agreement, workers will receive a 10% wage increase, improved benefits, and an enhanced pension plan. Workers will now have access to the Teamsters Health and Welfare plan that reduces their deductibles by lowering co-pays and out-of-pocket costs.

“This agreement shows what’s possible when workers come together and organize. Strong contracts are built on solidarity, and this victory delivers real improvements that raise standards across the industry,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division.

“These members showed strength and determination from day one and it paid off. Winning a first contract like this is a big milestone that delivers immediate improvements while building lasting power for the future,” said Tim Vera, President of Local 986.

The post Teamsters at Park MGM Unanimously Ratify Strong First Contract appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Conferences

Digicode to Showcase Technology Solutions at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026

Published

7 days ago

March 31, 2026

Wladimir P.

digicode-to-showcase-technology-solutions-at-the-indian-gaming-tradeshow-&-convention-2026

Digicode announced its participation in the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026, taking place March 30 – April 2, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center. The event is recognized as the largest gathering dedicated to the tribal gaming industry, bringing together tribal leaders, casino executives, regulators, and technology providers to explore the latest developments shaping the sector.

Organized by the Indian Gaming Association, the annual convention serves as a key platform for discussing innovation, regulatory developments, and strategic opportunities across both land-based and digital gaming ecosystems.

“At a time when tribal gaming organizations are increasingly exploring digital transformation and operational modernization, the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention provides an important forum for collaboration,” said Elkhan Shabanov. “We look forward to connecting with industry leaders and sharing how modular technology architectures can help operators scale efficiently, improve operational control, and build platforms designed for long-term growth.”

During the event, Digicode will highlight its Diger Suite, a modular ecosystem of gaming technology solutions designed to help operators modernize infrastructure and reduce reliance on legacy systems. The platform enables gaming organizations to implement flexible, scalable technology stacks that support both current operations and future expansion.

Key solutions within the Diger Suite include:

DigerRGS – A next-generation gaming platform designed for high-throughput performance and full intellectual property ownership.
DigerPAM – A cross-market-ready player account management system that supports scalable user management and regulatory compliance.
DigerPay – A PSP-agnostic payment gateway supporting more than 200 payment methods with integrated real-time fraud protection.
DigerClick – A fully owned affiliate management platform offering customizable tools, campaign management, and performance analytics.
DigerCompanion – An AI-driven assistant designed to support multilingual player engagement, responsible gaming initiatives, and automated compliance workflows.

Digicode experts attending the convention will also share practical insights into how gaming operators can strengthen their technology infrastructure, streamline payment operations, automate player support processes, and maintain greater control over their digital platforms as the industry continues to evolve.

By participating in the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026, Digicode aims to expand its engagement with tribal gaming organizations and technology partners and contribute expertise in platform engineering, payments infrastructure, and AI-driven operational tools.

The post Digicode to Showcase Technology Solutions at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

RubyPlay expands US footprint with West Virginia launch

Published

1 week ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

rubyplay-expands-us-footprint-with-west-virginia-launch

RubyPlay, a studio-driven content ecosystem, has further strengthened its position in the regulated US iGaming market with its official launch in West Virginia, marking its third state entry.

The expansion brings RubyPlay’s distinctive portfolio of premium titles to the Mountain State, giving leading US operators access to high-performing games such as Vegas No Limit Wins SE, Mad Hit® Diamonds, and Mad Hit® Devil.

Operators in West Virginia will benefit from RubyPlay’s flexible content platform, built on shared technology, infrastructure, and distribution capabilities designed to meet individual partner requirements.

At the core of the offering is RubyPlay’s studio-based ecosystem, which includes market-specific studios like xSlots. These studios deliver localised content, bespoke game development, and faster time to market, helping operators create more tailored player experiences.

The move continues RubyPlay’s steady expansion across the US, following successful entries into New Jersey and Delaware. As the company builds momentum in regulated markets, the US remains a central pillar of its growth strategy, with plans to enter Pennsylvania in the near future.

“Our launch in West Virginia reflects RubyPlay’s ongoing commitment to expanding across regulated US markets,” said Dima Reiderman, Chief Commercial Officer at RubyPlay.
“Each new state allows us to strengthen our commercial presence while building valuable partnerships with leading operators.

“Through our studio-driven model, we enable operators to deliver content that aligns closely with their strategy and audience, creating more relevant and differentiated player experiences.”

The post RubyPlay expands US footprint with West Virginia launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.