Northwest Indiana Casino Revenue Drops Nearly 10% in February

Northwest Indiana collectively reported $67.4 million in revenue for February 2025, reflecting a 9.7% decline compared to the $74.6 million recorded in February 2024, as detailed in the Indiana Gaming Commission’s monthly report.

Hard Rock Northern Indiana Reports Decline in Earnings

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, the top-performing casino in the region, generated $34.4 million in revenue for February 2025, a decline from the $37.9 million reported for the same period in 2024.

Casino President Matt Schuffert attributed the downturn to colder weather, which discouraged people from venturing out for entertainment. Additionally, February 2024 had an extra day due to the leap year, which significantly influenced year-over-year comparisons. “Not a total surprise that the market was down just based on the weather and just based on the leap year, year over year comparable,” Schuffert stated. He explained that winter conditions can be unpredictable and noted that this year’s February weather had a greater impact than last year’s.

Despite these challenges, Hard Rock saw a revenue boost from its Lunar New Year celebration, which ran from January into February.

Other Casinos Also Experience Revenue Declines

Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and Horseshoe Hammond both experienced year-over-year revenue declines in February. Ameristar’s reported revenue dropped from $15.1 million in February 2024 to $12.8 million in February 2025, marking a significant decrease. Similarly, Horseshoe Hammond’s revenue declined from $21.6 million in February 2024 to $20.2 million in February 2025.

In a month-to-month comparison, Horseshoe Hammond was the only casino in the region to post an increase. Its revenue rose from $17.9 million in January to $20.2 million in February. Conversely, Hard Rock Casino saw its revenue decline from $36.9 million in January to $34.4 million in February. Ameristar Casino also experienced a decline in earnings, with revenue falling from $13.4 million in January to $12.8 million in February.

Despite the declines, neither Ameristar nor Horseshoe Hammond provided statements regarding their February revenue figures.

March Expected to Boost Casino Activity

Schuffert remains optimistic about business prospects for March, which has traditionally been a strong month for casino revenue. With improving weather conditions, more patrons are expected to visit the casino. Additionally, seasonal entertainment events, such as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and the start of the NCAA March Madness tournament, typically contribute to higher attendance at gaming venues, restaurants, and bars, boosting overall revenue.

Source:

‘’Northwest Indiana casinos see a decrease in revenues in February’’, chicagotribune.com, March 19, 2025.