New Year’s Day proved to be historic, as Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino officially launched live table games for the very first time since opening its casino doors in 2008. The day started with a special opening ceremony at noon, highlighted by Indiana basketball star Victor Oladipo and state senator Greg Taylor.

In front of a casino crowd of nearly 1,500, the opening ceremony featured remarks from Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino senior vice president and general manager Trent McIntosh, vice president of operations Todd Berendji, Senator Taylor, and Oladipo.

Senator Taylor took a moment to address the new dealers who were waiting in anticipation to open their tables for the first time.

“For those of you who are getting ready to deal cards in the State of Indiana, welcome,” he said. “This was about creating opportunities for the citizens of Indiana. For all of us here who were supporting of those efforts, we owe ourselves a round of applause for doing just that.”

Oladipo also had some words of encouragement for the new table games community.

“Congratulations on improving,” he said. “In 2020, I challenge you all to improve. I encourage you to make the best out of every day. Improve, because with improvement comes greatness.”

Prior to officially opening the 28 table games, attention was directed to the craps table where Oladipo commenced the day with the official first roll of the dice.

“Thank you for letting me be here and experience this, and be a part of something that improves the State of Indiana,” noted Oladipo. “Because with improvement, the sky is the limit for this state.”

Also participating in the first round of craps were Senator Taylor, Indiana Standardbred Association president Joe Putnam, Madison County Chamber executive director Clayton Whitson, Anderson Madison County Visitor’s Bureau executive director Matt Rust, racing industry expert Herb Likens, and Cindy Lanane.

On the adjacent craps table, nine Harrah’s Hoosier Park guests were selected in an exclusive drawing to play the first round of craps in tandem.

“Today has been a monumental day for our team at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, for our state legislators, the Indiana Gaming Commission, members of our community and our guests,” said McIntosh. “Our property feels like we just secured the final piece of the puzzle, and now we are headed in to the new year with even more excitement and entertainment than ever before.”

Among the 28 tables at Harrah’s Hoosier Park are four roulette tables, two craps tables, two three-card poker tables, four Blazing Seven Blackjack tables, one double-deck blackjack table and 13 blackjack tables featuring EZ Bust and Trilux bets. Double deck blackjack and hand-shuffle blackjack high limit games are also available.

(Harrah's Hoosier Park)