Indiana Regulator Approves CDI Casino Application

Churchill Downs Inc. will soon add another casino outlet after its application was selected by the Indiana Gaming Commission.

CDI announced Nov. 18 that the IGC selected the company's application for a casino owner's license, submitted by its wholly owned subsidiary CDITH, to develop the Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort in Vigo County, Ind. The company said the IGC unanimously voted to grant CDITH the sole certificate of suitability following a competitive proposal process that included applications from three other bidders.

"We are thrilled for this opportunity and honored for the trust that the Indiana Gaming Commission has placed in CDI and our plan to bring a true destination casino resort to West Central Indiana," said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen in a release.

CDI's plan includes a $240 million investment that will feature 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games, a 125-room luxury hotel, a state-of-the-art TwinSpires Sportsbook, and several food and beverage offerings. Features for the approximately 400,000-square-foot Queen of Terre Haute development will reflect the unique heritage of Vigo County and the surrounding region.

"In the days ahead, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with local officials in Vigo County and the Indiana Gaming Commission as we work to turn our vision for the Queen of Terre Haute into a reality," said CDI senior vice president of corporate development Jason Sauer in a release.

The IGC will officially award CDITH the casino owner's license to operate an inland casino in Vigo County upon the final affirmation of the pending nonrenewal of the prior license holder. The certificate of suitability and future issuance of the license is subject to all commission regulations, resolutions, and orders.