Shelbyville, Indiana – Two casinos recently opened around Indianapolis, one temporary facility here and another 92,000-sf permanent facility in Anderson, in the northeast area. Centaur Gaming-owned Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, with 2,000 slot machines, opened at the alongside a current racetrack in Anderson, as did Indiana Downs, which debuted its Indiana Live! pavilion alongside the Indiana Downs Racetrack.

The temporary property here will be replaced in spring 2009 by a 233,000-sf permanent facility, says an Indiana Downs spokeswoman. Her property also will have about 2,000 slot machines, as well as electronic versions of table games and five restaurants. Baltimore-based Cordish Co. is building the permanent facility, and will also manage the property when it’s finished.

The Downs spokeswoman says Indianapolis is becoming a gaming hot spot. “It’s only a short drive from a city of more than one million people,” she says. “The closest casinos are in the Chicago area more than two hours north, there just wasn’t anything here within the short commute.”

Both firms are looking to open more properties. Centaur seeks approval to develop Valley View Downs in western Pennsylvania. Indiana Downs, along with Cordish, wants to build a Hard Rock Casino in Wyandotte County, KS. “We’re also actively looking in other areas,” the spokeswoman says. “The development of casinos has definitely become more competitive, and is more difficult with communities wanting the proper feasibilities studies done, but it’s still a thriving business and a great form of entertainment to a lot of people.”