Spectacle Jack Announces Plans for a Non-Smoking Rocksino in Terre Haute, IN
TERRE HAUTE, IN: Although Spectacle Jack, LLC may be a new name in the Indiana gaming industry, the company’s recent collaboration with Hard Rock International has quickly elevated the brand within the state. Behind the brand, Chairman of Spectacle Jack, Greg Gibson, has a proven track record in many business ventures around Indiana and across the U.S. His affinity for Terre Haute and West Central Indiana makes him a unique partner for the community’s recent See You in Terre Haute Community Plan, drawing attention to the community’s goal of better health for the region.
Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute have one of the strictest smoking ordinances in the state, but beyond that, it has some of the poorest health metrics. Recognizing these overall concerns for the community, Gibson sought a non-smoking casino from the onset, however, needed to work through the potential outcomes of either decision. With that, he believes this collaborative decision with Hard Rock International is just another reason Spectacle Jack’s partnership with the gaming dynasty is a positive one for the community and state.
“Recognizing we had to make a good business decision for the company to maintain a solid financial ground for the future and provide a welcoming entertainment facility for all Hoosiers and guests, we had to look at data, become creative and benchmark other facilities which were successful with this model,” stated Gibson.
To accommodate all guests while meeting the requirements of the smoking ordinances, Spectacle Jack and Hard Rock International designed an outdoor patio, which has a track record for success at other locations in the U.S. The outdoor patio will include the following: (see attached renderings)
- The HVAC system will be designed to have positive pressure that will expel air from the building when doors are opened. This will prevent outside air (including air from the smoking patio) from entering the casino.
- The HVAC units will be located on the west-side of the roof, which places them away from the smoking patio, minimizing the possibility that air from the smoking patio would be drawn into the building system.
- To welcome our guests that choose to smoke while gaming, the Smoking Patio is planned to accommodate 117 slots and 8 table games. This represents about 15% of the 1,060 planned gaming positions.
- The Smoking Patio will have large ceiling fans to circulate air and exhaust fans to discharge air from the space. Overhead radiant heaters will be installed to moderate temperatures in the winter. This design is consistent with what has been provided for smokers at casinos in Ohio including Northfield Park and Cincinnati.
“It is extremely important to Hard Rock International that each and every guest that enters the Rocksino feels welcome. Our brand represents the best in the gaming industry, and we do that through safety, customer service and being receptive to the needs of our guests. We look forward to the future in Terre Haute,” stated Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International.
The Indiana Gaming Commission approved the transition of the Vigo County license to Spectacle Jack during their business meeting on May 15, 2020. Both Gibson and Lucas spoke about the exciting future of the Rocksino and its economic meaning to both Terre Haute and Indiana, including its expected one million visitors a year to the area.
“I’m pleased to see Spectacle Jack and Hard Rock International work through a process that led them to this result. I recognize this wasn’t an easy business decision and one that took much thought and process. I believe it will be this type of approach that will set the stage for a promising future. The Terre Haute community has so much to gain from this opportunity,” stated Mayor Duke Bennett, City of Terre Haute.
The Rocksino is on track for a fall groundbreaking, allowing for work to begin before the winter months set in. The architects and engineers are already steady at work preparing the building permits in preparation for the celebration and work ahead.
