Gambling
Majestic Star II Casino Riverboat Begins Renovations
James is a dedicated sportswriter. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.
All posts by James FoglioUpdated19 hours ago on July 01, 2024
The Majestic Star II casino riverboat that was formerly known as the Trump Casino and Trump Princess and was docked in Gary, Indiana, on Lake Michigan is being renovated.
Majestic Star II was recently tugged into Sarnia Harbor in Ontario
The Majestic Star II was recently tugged into Sarnia Harbor in the Canadian province of Ontario, according to the online publication BoatNerd. Sarnia is one of the world’s busiest inland waterways in the center of the Great Lakes. The 300-foot-long vessel boasts three decks and a capacity of over 1,500 passengers.
The renovation project, which is estimated to cost over $10 million, is being spearheaded by a group of local investors who are interested in reviving the riverboat.
Of course, the plans for the Majestic Star II include turning it into a luxurious yacht with live entertainment, dining options, live entertainment, gaming expansion, and special events.
“We are excited to bring new life to this iconic riverboat,” said John Smith, one of the investors involved in the project. “The Majestic Star II has a rich history, and we believe it has the potential to become a premier entertainment destination in the region.”
The renovation of the riverboat will include updating the interior and exterior of the vessel. The project also includes adding new amenities such as a gaming lounge, a rooftop bar, and a futuristic sound and lighting system for live performances. The investors plan to partner with local restaurants and businesses as well.
Majestic Holdco opened the original Majestic Star in June 1996
A company called Majestic Holdco was owned and operated by Indiana businessman Don Barden, who was the manager, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Majestic Star Casino.
When one of Barden’s companies acquired the Fitzgeralds Las Vegas casino, Barden became the first African-American casino owner in Sin City.
Nevertheless, his casino filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009, two years before he passed away from lung cancer at the age of 67.
Majestic Holdco opened the original Majestic Star in June 1996.
Donald Trump and his Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts, later renamed Trump Entertainment Resorts following multiple bankruptcies, opened the Trump Princess next door on Lake Michigan that same year.
After opening, the Trump Princess was rebranded to Trump Casino. Majestic Holdco acquired the Trump Casino license and boat in 2005 for $253 million.
Spectacle Entertainment acquired Majestic Holdco in November 2018
Furthermore, Indiana-based Spectacle Entertainment agreed to acquire Majestic Holdco and its two Lake Michigan casinos in November 2018. The terms of the acquisition that was completed in March 2019 weren’t made public.
However, Spectacle’s interest in the purchase was for the boat’s state-issued gaming licenses.
Spectacle’s acquisition of Majestic Holdco came shortly after Indiana lawmakers passed legislation allowing for land-based casinos. Spectacle decided to relocate the license for a new brick-and-mortar casino within five miles inland.
The Majestic Star and Majestic Star II casino boats were each constructed for nearly $50 million.
Majestic Star II casino riverboat had over 1,600 slot machines, 60 live dealer table games
During peak operations, the two floating vessels had over 1,600 slot machines and 60 live dealer table games.
Construction on the $300 million casino resort occurred in early 2020, as a state investigation of Spectacle was initiated by the Indiana Gaming Commission. The inquiry revealed that several former Spectacle executives had bribed state lawmakers to pass the land-based casino law in 2005.
Spectacle was fined $530K and ordered to separate itself from its founder, Rod Ratcliff. Spectacle then partnered with Hard Rock International. Hard Rock Northern Indiana opened in May 2021.
