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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) –
The Terre Haute City Council voted 6-2 to back the Hard Rock in its’ attempt to obtain a casino license on Wednesday evening during a City Council meeting.
“My deciding factor is that it is a local businessman who is proposing it. He’s been involved in the community for many, many, many years,” City Councilman George Azar, said.
Four companies are currently in competition to receive the license after a majority of Vigo County voters voted “yes” to a casino coming to the area nearly two years ago. They include Churchill Downs, Full House Resorts, Terre Haute Entertainment, and the Hard Rock.
“In order for the gaming commission to maybe aid them in their decision, they’d like support from the local Legislative body, and being that Hard Rock is being proposed by a local businessman who gives a lot of time and effort to this community, I just felt like this was something I needed to support,” Azar said.
Although this did not decide who will get the gaming license and it is still up to the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC), Eddie Felling, City Attorney for Terre Haute, said the decision can have an effect on the outcome.
“I would just note that this does have a profound impact on the decision-making process, it is a factor that the gaming commission can consider when ultimately making the decision which is just around the corner,” Felling said.
Azar said that whatever the IGC ends up deciding, he hopes it will bring more jobs and tourists to the area to help boost the economy.
“I think the other casinos have good presentations, good ideas and I hope whoever comes, it’ll benefit the city and the county and those of us who live here,” Azar said.
The IGC will meet on November 17th to listen to each of the companies 30-minute presentations.
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