The Northwest Indiana casinos had a rough three months with revenue declines reported in September, October and November. In August, the three casinos reported an increase in revenues year over year.
In August, the three casinos saw an increase in revenue from $73.8 million in 2024 to $77.2 million in 2025, largely because of a $7 million increase in revenue, year over year, at the Horseshoe casino.
In September, the three casinos reported revenues of $63.1 million, a decrease from $69 million in September 2024. In October, the three casinos reported revenues of $67.3 million, a decrease from $73.4 million in October 2024, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission’s monthly gaming reports.
In November, the three casinos reported $65.5 million in revenues, a decrease from $72.3 million in November 2024, according to the reports.
Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said he could only discuss the November report. November was “a tough month, primarily because of weather,” Schuffert said.
The Chicagoland area was impacted by a lake-effect snowstorm in early November and then a snowy Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Schuffert said. Typically, the Thanksgiving weekend is a strong revenue day, Schuffert said, but this year’s weather impacted the numbers.
“The entire Northwest Indiana market was down, year over year, in November. Certainly, weather played a huge reason why,” Schuffert said.
But Hard Rock still led the state in overall gaming revenue in November, Schuffert said.
Year to year, Horseshoe Hammond reported increases in August and September, while Hard Rock Northern Indiana and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago reported decreases. All three Northwest Indiana casinos reported decreases year to year in October and November.
In August, Hard Rock reported $36.2 million and Ameristar Casino reported $13.7 million. The previous August, Hard Rock reported $38.1 million and Ameristar Casino reported $15.1 million, according to the reports.
Horseshoe Hammond reported $27.3 million in August and $20.6 million in August 2024, according to the reports.
In September, Hard Rock reported $32.5 million and Ameristar Casino reported $11.4 million, according to the reports. The previous September, Hard Rock reported $37.4 million and Ameristar reported $12.6 million, according to the reports.
Horseshoe Hammond reported $19.2 million in September, and it reported $19 million in September 2024, according to the reports.
In October, the Hard Rock reported $35.9 million, Ameristar Casino reported $11.7 million and Horseshoe reported $19.7 million. The previous October, Hard Rock reported $38.9 million, Ameristar Casino reported $13.9 million and Horseshoe reported $20.6 million, according to the reports.
In November, the Hard Rock reported $34.6 million, Ameristar Casino reported $12.1 million and Horseshoe Hammond reported $18.8 million. The previous November, Hard Rock reported $37.3 million, Ameristar Casino reported $13.4 million and Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.6 million, according to the reports.
All three casinos reported decreases from August to September.
Horseshoe Hammond reported $27.3 million in August and $19.2 million in September, while Ameristar reported $13.7 million in August and $11.4 million in September. Hard Rock reported $36.2 million in August and $32.5 million in September, according to the reports.
All three casinos reported increases from September to October.
Hard Rock reported $32.5 million in September and $35.9 million in October, while Horseshoe Hammond reported $19.2 million in September and $19.7 million in October. Ameristar Casino reported $11.4 million in September and $11.7 million in October, according to the reports.
From October to November, Hard Rock and Horseshoe Hammond reported decreases, while Ameristar reported an increase.
Hard Rock reported $35.9 million in October and $34.6 million in November, and Horseshoe Hammond reported $19.7 million in October and $18.8 million in November. Ameristar reported $11.7 million in October and $12.1 million in November, according to the reports.
December should be a strong month, Schuffert said, especially with the weather warming up through the end of the month. The New Year’s Eve holiday will likely be a strong day, though it is on a Wednesday this year, he said.
Hard Rock saw a strong 2025, Schuffert said, with multiple gaming options and various entertainment options. In 2025, the casino started an expansion of the high-limit slot room and a VIP lounge, he said.
Looking ahead, Schuffert said he looks forward to completing the expansion project in the spring and working with the city of Gary and the state for the Lake County Convention Center project.
“At the end of the day, 2025 was pretty close to 2024, and we’re looking forward to just continuing to grow,” Schuffert said.
akukulka@post-trib.com