http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/articl...ontentID=163485

QUOTE
Nice weather helps area casinos prosper
10 January 2007


INDIANA -- As reported by the Post-Tribune: "December put a positive cap on 2006 for Northwest Indiana's five casinos, and pleasant weather was likely the cause.

"Area casino revenues came in 14.7 percent higher than they did the same time last year, keeping in step with an overall 15.7 percent increase for the state. The five Northwest Indiana's casinos combined brought in $107.8 million, compared to $94 million in 2005.

"...And then there was the weather. December 2005 brought snow and frigid temperatures to the region, a stark contrast to last month's 50- and 60-degree temperatures.

"...Michigan City's Blue Chip posted the highest revenue increase for the month with 31.1 percent over 2005..."


Another interesting article about Pelath fighting to protect the Blue Chip

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/01/10/ne...25f0010e94b.txt

QUOTE
'Barge' issue stirs Horseshoe concern

CASINOS: Michigan City lawmaker says no bill in works yet

BY PATRICK GUINANE
pguinane@nwitimes.com
317.637.9078

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:28 AM CST

INDIANAPOLIS | The palatial new Horseshoe Casino planned for Hammond Marina bears little resemblance to a boat and that could pose a problem with state Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City.

He's exploring whether the Indiana Gaming Commission overstepped its authority when it approved the $485 million expansion Harrah's Entertainment has planned for Hammond. Pelath said he's looking out for Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, which completed a $170 million expansion a year ago.

"We need to make sure that the Gaming Commission is following the law, and right now I'm still gathering information about that," Pelath said Tuesday. "I, like everyone, want to continue to see construction, investment and jobs move forward, but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it, and we're still looking at that."

Pelath said he has not yet filed legislation to tighten casino construction standards and is not sure whether he will do so during the Legislature's four-month session. Still, his fact-finding mission has sparked concern from Northwest Indiana officials.

"If (such a) bill becomes a reality, we're going to lose a lot of jobs," warned Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. "It's going to add millions of dollars to the Horseshoe project, and Horseshoe is at the point where they may walk."

Boyd Gaming, owner of the Blue Chip Casino, bills its Michigan City boat as the largest floating casino certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. But the Coast Guard no longer certifies casino riverboats, said Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission.

The commission is finalizing its own construction standards to replace the defunct Coast Guard rules. The Gaming Commission rules would govern the new 350,000-square-foot Horseshoe Casino planned for Hammond and another casino project in downstate Lawrenceburg.

"There's this fear that we're going to approve something that's considered a barge," Yelton said. "I have been adamant that I will not permit the construction of barges. These two new boats will be riverboats under the statutory definition, they will be able to navigate in the inland waters."

Yelton said he fulfilled Pelath's request for information about the pending construction standards this week. Pelath said he's pursuing the issue as a matter of fairness.

"People know I'm always concerned about Blue Chip Casino, which is a major employer in my district and I know that they made a major investment in Indiana to build a vessel to Coast Guard standards," Pelath said. "Given that they have a land-based casino right across the state line (in southwest Michigan) that will soon be in operation, I'm always concerned about making sure that they have a fair shake, from a competitive standpoint."