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French Lick casino opens

FRENCH LICK, Indiana – As reported by the Louisville Courier-Journal: "A long-awaited moment in French Lick, Ind., will arrive Tuesday when investors snip the ribbon on Indiana's 11th casino and unveil a refurbished century-old hotel.

"The opening of the $382 million French Lick Springs Resort & Casino is viewed as a huge step in a decade-long push to revive gambling and reverse Orange County's woeful economic fortunes.

"…Starting this morning, after a brief ceremony and ribbon-cutting, invited guests will try out the slot machines and play poker and blackjack until midnight.

"Then the 1,200-slot casino will close for two days and open to the general public Friday if the Indiana Gaming Commission gives the green light after final inspections.

"Overshadowed by all the hoopla is the high-stakes gamble being taken by the developers — the Bloomington medical-device manufacturer Cook Group Inc. and the real-estate developer Lauth Property Group Inc. of Indianapolis.

"They are betting that the casino, the state's smallest, can churn out enough revenue to repay at least $305 million in long-term debt and fund a charitable foundation."

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