Belterra Casino postponed a $45 million expansion after the Indiana General Assembly approved slots at Indiana Downs in Shelbyville and Hoosier Park in Anderson, experts say.
Belterra collects 16 percent of its sales from the Indianapolis market, and casino representatives think many of those customers will now visit the horse tracks instead.

For Duane Mathews of Indianapolis, a trip to Shelbyville is an hour closer than a drive to Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, where he formerly was a regular player. That makes gas prices -- now at $4.00 a gallon -- a concern.

"With the drive to Argosy, you start out $35 to $40 behind before you even get started gambling," he said.
Ernest Yelton, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission , said he expects those who will feel the competition most will be the French Lick Resort Casino in Orange County and the three riverboats in southeastern Indiana , including Argosy, Belterra and Grand Victoria.

Yelton expects Caesars in Harrison County to be affected too. Casino Aztar in Evansville may not be affected at all and the casinos on Lake Michigan may barely feel any competition.
"It's a wait-and-see," Yelton said.

Michie said he hopes that customers eventually will return to Belterra for a rounded resort experience including the spa, golf course and hotel.

"For people looking to get away, they're still going to choose us or Grand Victoria or Caesars, or wherever they like to stay and play," he said.
However, both horse tracks plan expansions that include hotels, experts said.

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