Indianapolis-based Centaur Holdings announced Feb. 20 completing the acquisition of Indiana Grand Casino and Downs in Shelbyville, Ind.
The acquisition brings together two of the leading racetrack casinos in the Midwest, with the addition of Indiana Grand Casino and Downs to Centaur's Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. The $500 million transaction increases Centaur's total workforce to more than 2,000 Indiana residents.
"Today represents the culmination of considerable time and effort made on behalf of Centaur by our team members, community partners, Indiana regulators and legislators, horsemen, and our sponsors, whose efforts were key to this successful acquisition," said Rod Ratcliff, Centaur Holdings chairman and chief executive officer, in a release. "Centaur is looking forward to continuing to offer guests in Indiana and from throughout the Midwest the best in gaming, racing, and entertainment through the combination of these facilities."
Centaur, founded in 1993, says it wants to further the entertainment and economic development benefits of Indiana gaming and horse racing. "Centaur embraces the role and understands the importance of being a dedicated and thoughtful community partner," said Jim Brown, Centaur's president and chief operating officer in a statement.
"As a company, we will place significant support behind efforts to give back in our host communities through both service and support."
The acquisition will expand Centaur's Indiana footprint to nearly every corner of the state with racetrack casinos in Anderson and Shelbyville Ind. and off-track betting properties in Merrillville, Fort Wayne, and Clarksville, Ind. Additionally, its recently renovated Winner's Circle Pub, Grille, and OTB, located in downtown Indianapolis, represents a $3 million investment in a state-of-the-art off-track betting parlor.