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Indiana Regulators To Organize Check Up on Spectacle Entertainment
February 10, 2020 TamaraTam
Indiana. The Local Gaming Commission (IGC) has just commenced an examination of the operator as soon as it was discovered that someone from the company breached the regulation regarding political campaign financing. Following the ongoing affair, the Indiana Gaming Commission has canceled the hearing which should decide on the Spectacle application for a new casino license.
More About Operator
At the moment, Spectacle operates two casinos in Indiana and looks to obtain a license for an additional one. The new casino location is planned for Terre Haute, but everything will have to wait for a while. The escalation of the problem occurred when political consultant, Charles O’Neill of Strategic Campaign Group Inc. itted guilty in federal court. The politician has been accused of giving illegal campaign contributions for Centaur Gaming, Spectacle’s predecessor.
Centaur has been operated by Rod Ratcliff, who ed forces with Indiana businessman, Greg Gibson, to develop Spectacle after the company unloaded two properties to Caesars Entertainment for $1.7 billion. After the transaction, Spectacle was entitled to acquire the Majestic Star riverboat casino out of Gary in November 2018.
According to the court documents information, about $15,000 in “illegal corporate contributions” were transferred to the Indiana politician and everything has been provided by casino executive. Documents date back to 2015. Federal prosecutors further assert that the case included “Person A … the vice president and general counsel of Company A, a gaming corporation formed in Delaware and based in Indianapolis, IN.”
Resolution of the Case
Following the court documents, the name of the company cannot be revealed. However, the Indiana Gaming Commission explained that it was Centaur. It made the Commission postpone a hearing planned for February 7 which would discuss Spectacle’s suitability to obtain a license for Terre Haute casino. IGC issued a notice:
“We are working to ascertain the immediate impacts of this information upon the new casino construction project in Gary. Majestic Star Casino will continue normal operations at this time.”
Meanwhile, Spectacle shared its opinion on the situation:
“Spectacle Entertainment has been made aware that a paid consulting firm, who once contracted with Centaur Gaming, has been implicated in charges related to campaign finance violations in Virginia. Spectacle pledges to fully cooperate with the Indiana Gaming Commission as it investigates this matter. We take such matters very seriously and we will share more information should additional details become available.”
Spectacle is planning to launch Terre Haute casino under Hard Rock International brand. However, the companywill have to wait for the completion of the investigation process and should count on possible delays in case of of additional problems.
Source:
“Indiana regulators launch investigation into Spectacle Entertainment“, calvinayre.com, Janaury 27, 2020.
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