Horseshoe Casino, Hammond
The Horseshoe Casino Hammond, the second largest gaming ship in the state, is part of the Harrah's gaming family. The Horseshoe features live blackjack, craps, roulette, mini-baccarat and poker. Over 3,200 slot machines, beginning with quarter denominations, are available throughout the casino floors. More than 300 video poker machines are also available. High-stakes gaming is available in "Benny's Back Room." Four restaurants--Benny's Pub and Eatery, Jack Binion's Steak House, JB's Gourmet Sandwiches and Salads and the Village Square Buffet--all serve meals on-site. A garage is located at the marina for complimentary guest parking. Free casino shuttles take gamers to Chicago's downtown shopping on the Magnificent Mile and State Street, Chinatown, South Loop, Rush Street and downtown hotels. The Horseshoe also hosts an Amtrak station that runs rapid service to and from Chicago's Union Station and the casino.
Harrah's Horseshoe Hammond
777 Casino Center Dr.
Hammond, Indiana 46320
866-711-SHOE (7463)
horseshoehammond.com/casinos/
Majestic Star Casino
The Majestic Star Casino & Hotel, a member of the Indiana Better Business Bureau, offers video poker and slots, including over 100 penny machines. Live table games featuring craps, Pai Gow, roulette, blackjack, and various forms of poker are also offered. The Majestic Star recently added a special baccarat room. On-site dining includes Don B's Steakhouse, Passports Restaurant, Lakeshore Lounge and the Jackpot Java, a coffee house. Entertainment venues at the hotel and casino include the Lakeshore Lounge with regional acts. Both self-park and complimentary valet parking is offered for players with club memberships. The Majestic hosts slot tournaments throughout the year. Consult the website for dates and details.
Majestic Star Casino
1 Buffington Harbor Dr.
Gary, Indiana 46406
(800) 522-4700
majesticstar.com/majestic_star/
Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City
The Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, the largest gaming ship in the United States, offers gaming and an adjacent 188-room hotel and resort spa. The Blue Chip ship sails on the odd hour beginning at 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Monday through Thursday. Weekend cruises include a special 3 a.m. cruise. Craps, blackjack, roulette, slot machines (approximately 2,000 machines), Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud are the featured games.
The Stardust Event Center, completed in 2009, features nationally known entertainment, including Wyonna Judd. The Blue Chip offers four dining options: The Buffet, The Brio, Venture Lounge and a snack bar. The buffet is open during the week for lunch and dinner and for brunch and dinner on weekends. Consult the casino website for nightly dining themes. The Brio is an upscale Italian restaurant, and the Venture offers drinks and entertainment. Two additional restaurants--"The Game" and "It's Vegas, Baby!"--opened in 2009. Both self and valet parking are available.
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa
777 Blue Chip Dr.
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
(888) 879-7711
About The Author
Lee Grayson is an ethnographer and freelance writer. She has written for both Oxford and Harvard University presses and research publishers, including Facts On File and ABC-CLIO. She holds certificates from the University of California campuses at Irvine and San Diego.
