If you spent any time in Northwest Indiana between the late nineties and the early 2020s, you probably have a memory of the Majestic Star Casino in Indiana. Maybe it was the neon lights reflecting off the dark waters of Lake Michigan, or that slightly dizzying feeling of walking across the gangway onto a massive boat to play the slots. For years, it was the cornerstone of Buffington Harbor in Gary.
But honestly, if you drive past that spot today, the scene is unrecognizable. The boats are gone. The hotel is dust.
A lot of people think the casino just failed or went bust. That's not exactly the case. It’s actually a wild story of business pivots, political lobbying, and a massive "musical chairs" game with gaming licenses. Basically, the Majestic Star didn't die; it evolved into something much bigger and moved inland.
The Buffington Harbor Days: Two Boats and a Trump
To understand where it went, you have to remember where it started. Back in 1996, the Majestic Star was the brainchild of Don Barden, a legendary businessman who became the first African American to own a major casino in the U.S. It wasn't alone out there, though.
Right next door was the Trump Casino and Hotel. Yeah, that Trump.
For nearly a decade, these two massive riverboats sat side-by-side. It was a weird, competitive coexistence. Eventually, Barden’s company bought out Trump in 2005 for about $253 million. They rebranded the second boat as Majestic Star II.
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Suddenly, Gary had this dual-boat powerhouse. You’ve got to remember that back then, Indiana law was strict—casinos had to be on the water. These weren't just buildings; they were vessels. Majestic Star I was the purpose-built 3,500-passenger ship, while Majestic Star II was the former Trump Princess.
Why the Boats Had to Go
Despite the lights and the action, the location was kinda difficult. Buffington Harbor is an industrial zone. You’re surrounded by steel mills and heavy lakefront industry. It wasn't exactly a "resort" vibe.
The bigger problem was the "riverboat" requirement. Indiana eventually realized that forcing casinos to stay on the water was limiting their growth. In 2019, the state legislature passed a massive gaming bill that changed everything. It allowed casinos to move inland.
Spectacle Entertainment, which had bought the Majestic Star properties, saw the writing on the wall. They knew that if they stayed on the lake, they were going to get crushed by newer, more accessible land-based casinos.
April 18, 2021 was the end of the line. That was the day the Majestic Star Casino in Indiana officially closed its doors for good.
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Where the Majestic Star is Now
You might be wondering where all those slot machines and dealers went. They didn't go far. The gaming licenses from the Majestic Star were used to build the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
It’s located right off the Borman Expressway (I-80/94) at Burr Street and 29th Avenue. If you’ve driven through Gary lately, you can't miss it—there's a giant 37-foot guitar sign out front. It’s a $300 million facility that basically swallowed the Majestic Star's legacy and gave it a massive rock-and-roll facelift.
As for the boats themselves? They were literally towed away. In 2022, the vessels were moved to Wisconsin for repairs before reportedly being sold to companies in Canada. The 300-room hotel that once overlooked the lake was used for SWAT training by local police before being demolished in 2023.
The New Life of the Old Site
So, what’s happening at Buffington Harbor now? It’s going back to its roots.
Instead of blackjack and buffet lines, the area is becoming an industrial hub again. In 2024, a company called Indiana Sugars announced they had acquired the former casino property. They’re building a new headquarters and a massive manufacturing plant there.
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It’s a bit of a full-circle moment for Gary. The lakefront is being reclaimed for industry and shipping, while the "fun" has moved to the highway where people can actually get to it easily.
What You Should Do If You’re Looking for the Majestic Star Vibe
If you’re feeling nostalgic or looking for the modern version of that Gary gaming experience, here is how you navigate the current landscape:
- Head to 5400 West 29th Avenue: This is the Hard Rock. It’s the direct successor. Most of the staff from the old Majestic Star were given priority hiring here, so you might even see some familiar faces at the tables.
- Don't go to the Lakefront: There is literally nothing left for gamblers at Buffington Harbor. If you follow your old GPS settings to the lake, you'll find a construction site for a sugar refinery.
- Check the Memorabilia: One cool thing about the transition is that the new casino actually honors the region’s history. While it’s "Hard Rock," there’s a deep focus on the Jackson 5 (who are Gary royalty), bridging that gap between the old city pride and the new corporate polish.
The era of the floating casino in Gary is officially over. It was a 25-year run that defined the city's economy for a generation. While the Majestic Star name is gone, the fact that its "soul" moved to a massive land-based resort shows that the gamble Barden and others took back in '96 actually paid off in the long run.
If you're planning a trip to Northwest Indiana to hit the tables, your best bet is to look for that giant guitar off the expressway. The boats have sailed, but the game is still very much on.
Next Steps for You
- Verify your rewards: If you had an old player’s club card from Majestic Star, check with the Hard Rock Northern Indiana guest services. While many old points systems have expired, some legacy tier statuses or mailing list info may have carried over.
- Plan for Traffic: The new location on the Borman Expressway is much easier to find, but that stretch of I-80/94 is notorious for semi-truck congestion. Check a real-time traffic app before heading out.