<p>GARY, Ind. — A new $300 million casino has opened in northwestern Indiana, completing a move from along Lake Michigan to a location along heavily traveled Interstate 80/94 in Gary.</p>
<p>The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana opened to the public Friday evening after an earlier guitar smashing ceremony that included Jackson 5 members and Gary natives Marlon and Tito Jackson. Casino and Gary officials expect a business boost as it replaces the 25-year-old Majestic Star Casino boats that closed in April for the move to the new site.</p>
<p>The main entrance to the casino is located behind a 37-foot-tall guitar marquee modeled on a guitar used by Jackson family members as they formed the Jackson 5 during their years living in Gary. The casino’s displays include much Gary- or Indiana-connected music memorabilia, including John Mellencamp’s hand-written lyrics to “Small Town.”</p>
<p>Casino president Matt Schuffert <a href="https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/watch-now-an-exclusive-look-inside-the-new-hard-rock-casino/article_ff1a35e1-0a3a-572b-8816-ac34e0432b67.html">told The (Northwest Indiana) Times</a> that it’s been important to create “a fun, entertaining environment” for visitors.</p>
<p>The casino’s 1,950-seat Hard Rock Live performance hall is temporarily filled with slot machines but Schuffert hopes to start live concerts there in September or October if COVID-19 precautions continue being eased.</p>
<p>The Hard Rock’s opening was snarled by a state investigation into <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-indianapolis-gambling-industry-lake-michigan-gary-3489833741be2cd164c6839659b7d54d">allegations of financial wrongdoings</a> by the casino developer’s former top executive. The Indiana Gaming Commission <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-indiana-indianapolis-gary-89724f8d6e912533cb2c594fc851c3f1">imposed a $530,000 fine</a> against Indianapolis-based Spectacle Entertainment over missing a deadline for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-indianapolis-gary-indiana-gambling-industry-435644dfbec20f0f9d42eef0b6840a0c">ex-company CEO Rod Ratcliff</a> to sell his ownership stake in the new casino.</p>
<p>Ratcliff agreed in March to also permanently give up his state casino license after a couple decades as a heavyweight in Indiana’s gambling industry.</p>
