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

casino floor

Zitro Announces the U.S. Rollout of FANTASY Cabinet

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

zitro-announces-the-us.-rollout-of-fantasy-cabinet

Zitro has announced the U.S. rollout of FANTASY, its latest slot cabinet, following an outstanding early reception across multiple states. Since its debut, FANTASY has resonated with players and operators alike, quickly positioning itself as one of the standout new cabinets on casino floors nationwide.

The cabinet launched its U.S. journey in Minnesota before expanding into Michigan, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and North Carolina, and the story has been consistent across all six states. Strong player engagement, positive operator feedback, and consistent floor performance have followed FANTASY everywhere it has gone.

FANTASY’s strong performance reflects the depth of the experience it delivers. Zitro developed world-class content specifically for this cabinet, including stunning animations, exceptional graphics, and a rich multimedia experience that connects with today’s players. An individual game color lighting system gives each title a distinct identity on the casino floor, and every title was developed exclusively for this form factor. The result is a complete entertainment experience that goes well beyond the cabinet itself.

“We always knew FANTASY was something special, but the response we’ve seen across different casino properties has exceeded our most optimistic expectations. Players are genuinely connecting with this cabinet, operators are seeing the results on their floors, and we believe this is just the beginning of a defining journey for FANTASY in the US,” said Derik Mooberry, CEO of Zitro USA.

The post Zitro Announces the U.S. Rollout of FANTASY Cabinet appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Fanatics Casino

RLX Gaming expands US reach through Fanatics Casino launch

Published

5 days ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

rlx-gaming-expands-us-reach-through-fanatics-casino-launch

RLX Gaming, the innovative iGaming aggregator and content supplier, has officially launched its full portfolio with Fanatics Casino in the United States.

Players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can now access RLX Gaming’s extensive library of in-house and third-party titles, following a soft launch in Pennsylvania. Leading slot hits like Temple Tumble, Bonsai Dragon Blitz, and The Great Pigsby are now live, alongside a broad selection of releases from some of the most creative studios in the industry.

Fanatics Casino, available in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia on iOS and Android, offers a wide variety of classic and modern casino experiences, including slots, blackjack, roulette, progressive jackpots, and video poker. Each game is designed to deliver authentic casino action, ensuring endless entertainment for players.

This partnership marks a significant step in RLX Gaming’s mission to deliver dynamic, globally-ready content that drives innovation and engagement in the online casino space.

Matthew Hockenjos, Commercial Account Manager for North America at RLX Gaming, said:

“Our collaboration with Fanatics Casino represents a major milestone for RLX Gaming as we strategically broaden our footprint across North America. Fanatics Casino’s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re thrilled to bring our engaging slot experiences to players in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”

Kieron Shaw from Fanatics Casino added:

“We are delighted to integrate RLX Gaming’s captivating portfolio into our platform. This partnership reinforces our dedication to offering a premier online casino experience, giving players access to high-quality titles with proven appeal across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”

The post RLX Gaming expands US reach through Fanatics Casino launch appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino

Published

5 days ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

wwe-and-white-hat-studios-deliver-wrestlemania:-road-to-gold-exclusively-to-fanatics-casino

WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and White Hat Studios have announced the launch of the official WWE-branded slot, WrestleMania®: Road to Gold, exclusively on Fanatics Casino starting today.

Available in the United States, this real-money online casino game features 20 WWE superstars, including fan favorites Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley, just ahead of WrestleMania® 42, returning to Las Vegas on April 18–19, 2026.

The game’s Unlock Trail mechanic takes players through WWE Premium Live Events, with progressive bonus features inspired by SummerSlam®, Survivor Series®, Royal Rumble®, Elimination Chamber®, and Money in the Bank®. Each milestone builds excitement and win potential, culminating in the ultimate WrestleMania® showdown. The ringside experience is enhanced by the unmistakable voice of Michael Cole, adding authenticity and immersion to every spin.

Armen Tatarevic, VP of Gaming at White Hat Studios, said:

“WWE is an iconic brand steeped in entertainment history, and the aim was to collaborate closely to channel that legacy into WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. From superstar athletes to headline events, there are numerous touchpoints that fans will enjoy, and this is a major IP launch for White Hat Studios as we continue to deliver a main event experience to casino players in the United States.”

Conor Grant, President, Casino at Fanatics Betting and Gaming, added:

“WWE is a worldwide entertainment phenomenon, and the energy of the brand has been captured perfectly in WrestleMania®: Road to Gold. This new WWE-branded experience on Fanatics Casino reflects our strategy to leverage the power of Fanatics IP assets to offer customers a premium, differentiated experience.”

Fanatics Casino, the fastest-growing online casino in the U.S., is available on iOS, Android, and web in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. WrestleMania®: Road to Gold joins Fanatics’ lineup of licensed WWE titles, including WWE® Blackjack, Raw® Multiplier

The post WWE and White Hat Studios Deliver WrestleMania®: Road to Gold Exclusively to Fanatics Casino appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.