Get Ready for Next Wave of Improvements at the Majestic Star

Attracting a bigger share of the market isn't an easy feat to pull off, especially in a competitive nine-property gaming jurisdiction such as exists in the Greater Chicago land area, but that's exactly what the Majestic Star Casino in Gary has done over the last year and a half in the wake of an ongoing improvement and renovation project.

Executives with the high-energy riverboat complex aren't resting on their laurels. They are about to unveil the next phase of the ambitious business plan that will raise the bar on just how imaginative an operator can be as far as creating an exciting playing experience.

The property's ascent to more high profile status hasn't come easy. Guests from Illinois must drive by the Horseshoe in Hammond and Resorts East Chicago to get to the Majestic Star. Not only that, it shares a pavilion with Trump Casino & Hotel at Buffington Harbor. It's as easy as turning left or turning right for guests to decide which casino to enter.

One of the first things executives with the Majestic did was go after the "high roller" crowd. The high-limit Monte Carlo Room was completely remodeled and the stakes were raised to a maximum bet of $10,000 at the blackjack tables and $50,000 for baccarat, a game which attracts a sizable following in Northwest Indiana and one which casinos are marketing heavily.

Last year more than $4.5 million was invested on new slot product to include the latest machines and game formats equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including the popular multi-denomination option. An increasing percentage of the Majestic's slot inventory is being converted to Promo Cash whereby players may download bonus cash offers directly at the machine using their Club Majestic card.

The latest phase of the project will continue to bring uncommon personality to the floors of the gaming vessel including a retro slot room and Double Down Bar on the first floor, and the Double Diamond Lounge on the second (main) level.

The stylistic "Retro Room" will be dedicated exclusively to traditional reel slots with handles and coin-in/coin-out capabilities. "Gotta Hear That Ching" will be the password for this dedicated area of the vessel, a safe haven for players who wish to take a break from the video games and ticket-in/ticket-out cashing.

Not only will the Retro Room carry you back in slot machine time, the décor and overall theme of the room will whisk you back to the 60s and 70s. There'll be four 42-inch plasma TV's playing the most popular television shows from the era, plus a special audio system will feature the music that baby boomers listened to as teenagers.

The Double Diamond Lounge has all the makings of being the finest venue of its kind in the market. The new venue will have a stage, dance floor, island martini bar and daily martini specials, amenities that take on-vessel entertaining to new heights. It is being developed in the area previously occupied by the Star Stage.

The Double Down Bar will be decorated and furnished in a sensual red and black theme. The bar will feature inset video slots for guests to play while enjoying their favorite beverage, giving a Las Vegas casino bar feel to this stunning addition.

The latest round of improvements includes a renovated third level of the vessel featuring the latest conveniences for players to get change or redeem slot vouchers. There'll be five self-service kiosks for breaking bills and redeeming tickets plus an ATM and two guest windows.

Surely an upgrade that'll benefit both the Majestic Star and Trump will be a new access road to Buffington Harbor. The $6 million development will alleviate the inconvenience of accessing Buffington Harbor created by the railroad tracks. Guests will be able to drive directly into the enclosed self-parking garage.