Caesars Southern Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caesars Southern Indiana |
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View from the west
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| Location | Elizabeth, Indiana |
| Address | 11999 Casino Center Drive SE |
| Opening date | December 12, 2019 |
| Theme | Romanesque |
| No. of rooms | 503 |
| Total gaming space | 110,000-square-foot (10,000 m2) |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Vici Properties |
| Operating license holder | EBCI Holdings, LLC |
| Previous names |
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| Renovated in | 2008, 2016, 2019 |
Caesars Southern Indiana is a large hotel and casino in Southern Indiana. It was first known as Caesars Indiana, then Horseshoe Southern Indiana. It opened in 1998. Today, Vici Properties owns it, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates it. They use the Caesars name with permission.
The complex is located near Elizabeth, Indiana. It sits across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Many locals call it "The Boat" because it used to be a casino on a riverboat. The complex has a huge gaming area and many restaurants. It also includes a hotel, a show venue, parking, and a golf course.
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History of Caesars Southern Indiana
How the Casino Started
In 1994, people in Harrison County, Indiana voted to allow riverboat gambling. This happened after Indiana's government passed a law to permit it. In 1995, several groups wanted to open a riverboat casino.
In May 1996, the Indiana Gaming Commission chose a plan. It was from a partnership between Caesars and Riverboat Development Incorporated (RDI). Their first plan was to spend $228 million. By 1998, the cost grew to $275 million.
Choosing the Location
They picked a spot near Bridgeport, Indiana. This town is close to the border of Harrison and Floyd County, Indiana. It was about 15 miles southwest of Louisville, Kentucky. They chose this spot because it was the closest place to Louisville where a riverboat casino could legally operate.
Some officials in Louisville tried to stop the building. They worried it would affect money from horse racing in Kentucky. Environmental groups also had concerns. They worried about air quality, water, and wildlife. The Caesars/RDI group had already spent $11 million on the land.
In February 1998, the United States Army Corps of Engineers said no big environmental studies were needed. But they did warn about clearing too many trees. They also advised thinking about water runoff.
Opening and Early Years
Caesars Indiana finally opened on November 20, 1998. It was supposed to open earlier that year. But lawsuits from environmental groups caused delays. The United States Environmental Protection Agency also had questions. Heavy rains in the spring of 1998 added to the delays. The first trip for special guests was on November 16, 1998.
Since 1998, the casino has employed many people. The casino had to close a few times. In 1999, it shut down for a while after a river barge hit the boat. It also closed due to high river levels in 2008, 2011, and 2015.
Over the years, the casino's ownership changed. It was run by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, then by Park Place Entertainment.
Changes and Renovations
In 2002, Indiana allowed casino riverboats to stay docked permanently. So, from 2002 to 2019, the riverboat rarely moved. It only sailed once a year to show it could still move.
In April 2017, the hotel had a $13 million renovation. All 503 guest rooms and the lobby were updated. The hotel stayed open during this work.
In October 2017, the property's ownership moved to Vici Properties. Caesars Entertainment then leased it back.
Moving to Land
In 2015, Indiana changed its law. This allowed riverboat casinos to move their operations onto land. So, in 2018, construction began on a new land-based casino.
On December 9, 2019, the riverboat closed for good. Three days later, on December 12, 2019, the new land-based casino opened. This new building cost $90 million and is very large. Its name changed to Caesars Southern Indiana when it opened. The new place has dining, shopping, games, and entertainment. Sports betting was also added after Indiana made it legal in 2019.
In 2020, Caesars agreed to sell the casino's operations. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians bought it for $250 million. The tribe now leases the complex from Vici for $33 million each year. The casino still uses the Caesars name.
What You Can Find There
Former Riverboat Casino
The main part of the complex used to be the M/V Glory of Rome riverboat. This four-story boat was once the largest riverboat in North America. It was also the biggest riverboat casino in the world. It cost $50 million to build. The boat was 452 feet long and 100 feet wide. It had a total area of 173,200 square feet. It had a large casino space with many slot machines and gaming tables. Since the casino is now on land, the riverboat is no longer part of the complex. Caesars plans to sell the riverboat.
Current Facilities
Caesars Southern Indiana has many things to offer. It includes a nature preserve for outdoor enjoyment. There are over 10 restaurants, offering many food choices. The complex also has a conference center for events. Of course, there is a hotel for guests to stay. You can also find a shopping center.
Nearby, there is a golf course called Chariot Run. It has an equestrian, or horse-themed, design. In September 2022, it was announced that a Gordon Ramsay Steak restaurant would open there.
Getting There
Transportation Options
You can get to Caesars Southern Indiana by bus. Bus shuttles are available from Indianapolis and Louisville. You need to make reservations for these.
The facility has a four-level parking garage for cars. The main way to reach it by car is using Indiana 111. Even though it's right across the river from Southwest Louisville, there's no direct bridge. People from Louisville must drive north through New Albany first to get to Caesars. There have been ideas for a bridge connecting Louisville directly to Indiana 111. This would make it easier to reach the casino. However, as of 2019, there were no plans for such a bridge.
