Casino officially opens its doors

Indiana’s first fully integrated casino and racetrack opened this morning when the official first dollar slid into one of 2,000 new state-of-the art slot machines at the Las Vegas-style Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson.

Hoosier Park owners and executives, along with community leaders and local citizens, celebrated the opening of the new 92,000-square-foot casino building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Speakers included Anderson mayor, Kris Ockomon; Hoosier Park Racing & Casino’s general managers of gaming and racing, Jim Brown and Rick Moore, respectively; and Rod Ratcliff, chairman and CEO of Centaur, Inc., which owns Hoosier Park.

„Welcome to our ‚Field of Dreams‘,“ said Ratcliff. “It has been a long and rewarding journey to arrive at this point.” Ratcliff went on to thank Anderson city officials and local legislators who have worked alongside Centaur over the years to pass the necessary legislation.

The first dollar was played by Mrs. Virgil (Maxine) Cook. Virgil Cook, a long-time Anderson resident, made possible the use of the land on which the facility resides. His name also graces the road outside the facility: Virgil Cook Boulevard.

As Mayor Ockomon commented during the program, „I am proud to be the mayor of Anderson on a day like today.“

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, casino doors opened to the general public for all to try their luck at machines featuring the latest in slot and marketing technology, including interlinked progressives and multi-player electronic table games. All qualified guests who sign up today for the Player’s Club will earn $ 10 in credits to be used on any of the electronic gaming devices.

„We’re in the process of setting the bar for products and services at Indiana’s gaming facilities,“ Brown said. „When we say ‚We will thrill you!‘ it’s not just a catchy slogan, it’s a promise indicative of the experience we will deliver to our visitors each and every day.“

Hoosier Park’s permanent casino will now remain open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Hoosier Park also features live horse racing from April through November, as well as simulcast wagering all year round. Nine new bars and restaurants have also opened for business.

„We have a fully integrated entertainment center,“ said Moore. „Today, Anderson has become a destination.“