Gaming revenues were flat in Indiana last month, especially in the south, and this is a good thing. Why? Because it means that the Hoosier 
State is absorbing the impact of competition from Ohio. Operators can also, thanks to Gov. Mike Pence‘s clemency, look forward to building new facilities, the sex appeal of which could bring even more business back over the state line from the Buckeye State.
Admittedly, only a couple of properties in the southern tier showed gains, like Hoosier Park‘s +2%. The big winner last month was Pinnacle Entertainment, outperforming in two markets. Belterra (above) was up 10% and, up north, Ameristar East Chicago rose 6%. (Never undersell the Ameristar brand.) Caesars Entertainment was flat at both Horseshoe Southern Indiana and Horseshoe Hammond, although the latter reported a massive, $38 million gross.
Penn National Gaming‘s Lawrenceburg casino is still struggling to 
regain its mojo, down 7%. Full House Resorts‘ Rising Sun also continues to feel the brunt of Ohio competition, down 8%. Tropicana Evansville (left) remained stable. Among the various smaller properties, French Lick Resort shot up 12%, while Boyd Gaming‘s Blue Chip continues to fend off tribal competition from Michigan, gaining 1%. What’s sauce for Majestic Star II (+7%) wasn’t sauce for Majestic Star I (-5%). Go figure.
