Terre Haute casino to be operated smoke free
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — When the planned casino opens in Terre Haute in 2022, it will operate mostly smoke-free, but some accommodations are being made for smokers. The developer, Spectacle Jack LLC, announced Friday its decision to operate the Rocksino gambling facility as a non-smoking entertainment venue.
“Recognizing we had to make a good business decision for the company to maintain a solid financial ground for the future and provide a welcoming entertainment facility for all Hoosiers and guests, we had to look at data, become creative and benchmark other facilities which were successful with this model,” said Greg Gibson, chairman of Spectacle Jack.
The American Lung Association Indiana supports the decision.
“We applaud Spectacle Jack and Hard Rock International for deciding to open the new Rocksino in Terre Haute in compliance with the city’s smokefree air law by prohibiting smoking indoors, making it Indiana’s first casino to open smoke-free on day one,” said Nick Torres, advocacy director of American Lung Association Indiana.
The Rocksino will be operated by Hard Rock International. The company said to meet local smoking ordinances, Spectacle Jack and Hard Rock designed an outdoor patio for smoking.
The venue will operate HVAC units designed to prevent smoke from entering the casino.
Spectacle Jack said the patio will be designed to accommodate 117 slot machines and eight table games. The company said that equates to about 15% of gaming positions.
The patio area will include large ceiling fans to circulate air and exhaust fans to discharge air from the space. Builders will also install overhead radiant heaters to moderate temperatures in the winter
“It is extremely important to Hard Rock International that each and every guest that enters the Rocksino feels welcome. Our brand represents the best in the gaming industry, and we do that through safety, customer service and being receptive to the needs of our guests,” said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer of Hard Rock International.
The American Lung Association said it is encouraging Hard Rock leadership to consider a similar policy for the Hard Rock casino under construction in Gary.
Last month, ALA released the results of a public opinion survey that found strong support for smoke-free casinos by Indiana voters. Click here to read the coverage from IIB.
Spectacle Jack intends to break ground on the gaming facility this fall.
In May, the Indiana Gaming Commission approved the transition of the Vigo County license to Spectacle Jack.