Indiana casinos generated US$1.7 billion

The gaming ventures in the Northwest of the State destined the billionaire amount to local governments.

US.- The four Northwest Indiana casinos granted local governments over US$1.7 billion for taxes, generating great reports for the general economy in the region.  According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, the money has been used for improvements on the Gary/Chicago airport, the construction of a lake pavilion, flood control on the Little Calumet River, neighborhood revitalisation and public transit enhancements.

Furthermore, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, the Indiana State Fair and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction received a portion of the amount as well. Several scholarships, worth US$10,500, were paid with casinos revenues too.

Two Majestic Star riverboat casinos, the Horseshoe casino in Hammond, Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and the Blue Chip in LaPorte County are the companies that generated a total of US$20 billion since 1996. Ameristar and two Majestic casinos have generated US$1.4 million for Lake County while the Blue Chip has generated US$302 million for LaPorte County.

“It’s been wonderful for Hammond. Without gaming revenue, we would never even be able to dream about having a program like College Bound,” commented Thomas McDermott Jr, Hammond Mayor as to the casinos revenues.