TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After one year of spinning slots, shuffling cards and going all in on big bets, the Terre Haute Casino Resort is starting to pay off in big ways.
Since the casino’s opening, it’s not only been a place for a fun night of gambling, but local officials are also saying the revenue generated from the casino is helping fun projects around Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute.
“I always like to point out that some of our very clear physical projects and improvements people are seeing is coming from gaming tax revenue,” said Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun.
According to the Indiana Gaming Commission’s Annual Report for 2024, the Terre Haute casino generated over $1 million in supplemental wagering tax from April to June of 2024. Mayor Sakbun said this money goes directly to the city and is helping support projects across the city.
“Definitely from a tax standpoint, the gaming revenue has been helpful. The gaming revenue is going to projects like more street paving, more sidewalks, definitely some demolition projects. As well as its helping fund our YMCA renovation and the Deming Park pool project. So, definitely some good projects,” said Mayor Sakbun.
The tax revenue also helps fund projects the city wouldn’t be able to do with money from property taxes. Mayor Sakbun said he is always reminding residents that property taxes don’t fund street improvements or major park improvements. Projects like that are in part funded by casino’s tax revenue.
“So it’s very important to say hey look, a lot of these smaller projects and bigger projects you see across the community, they’re not coming from you. They are coming from economic development tax revenue and casino gaming tax revenue,” said Mayor Sakbun.
The money isn’t only benefiting the city, Vigo County Commissioner Mike Morris said the revenue is also helping fund projects around the county, like improvements to the Vigo County Government’s I.T. department.
“It’s been very helpful. You know, we are kind of, commissioners, are kind of a bricks and mortar kind of people. And when we can see improvements in our departments and use that money to make some sound forward steps,” said Morris.
Even if you haven’t hit the jackpot at the Terre Haute Casino Resort, officials say local projects show the odds are stacked in the community’s favor.
