Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Donates $500,000 to Gary Animal Shelter

Posted on: March 16, 2026, 01:18h. 

Last updated on: March 16, 2026, 01:18h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is helping build a new animal shelter
  • The Hard Rock casino contributed $500,000 to the Gary Animal Care project

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has contributed half a million dollars towards the construction of the new Gary Animal Care facility.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Gary
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana President and CEO Matt Schuffert (gray suit) presents a rendering of the new Gary Animal Care building after making a $500,000 contribution to the project. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton (third from right) is pictured. (Image: City of Gary)

Last week, the casino owned and operated by Hard Rock International, a subsidiary of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, cut a check for $500,000 to the City of Gary. The money matches $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (COVID-19 relief funds) money to help design and construct the $1.4 million animal shelter.

This generous contribution from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana demonstrates their continued commitment to being a true community partner,” said Mayor Eddie Melton. “This project will allow us to provide compassionate, modern care for animals while improving essential city services. Hard Rock’s support is helping us turn a long‑standing need into a transformative investment for our residents and our city.”

The new Gary Animal Care will replace the city’s severely deteriorating Animal Control location, explained a release from Steve Segura, Gary’s chief communications officer. The remaining $400,000 is being funded through existing animal shelter allocations and a campaign drive supported by Silverstray Social, a nonprofit organization that provides free animal care for pet families in need of financial assistance. 

Hard Rock Dominating Indiana Casino Industry

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana opened in May 2021. The $300 million, 200,000-square-foot casino and entertainment destination is located about 35 minutes southeast of Chicago.

Hard Rock Northern Indiana has been a wild success, with the property dominating the Indiana casino market since. In the state’s 2025 fiscal year, the casino’s 1,700 slot machines and 80 live dealer table games generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $444.3 million. That was over $100 million more than Horseshoe Indianapolis in second at $332.2 million.

Along with the casino, Hard Rock Northern Indiana has five restaurants, highlighted by Hard Rock’s flagship Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. The property also has two standalone bars and lounges, a Hard Rock retail store, and the nearly 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live concert venue.

Convention Center Coming 

In the coming years, big things are coming to the Gary casino. The Lake County Board of Supervisors is moving forward with a $100 million convention center adjacent to Hard Rock Northern Indiana.

The project includes 145,000 square feet of convention space along with a 300-room hotel directly tied to the casino. Hard Rock is helping pay for the convention center complex through a $1.5 million annual subsidy for 20 years, or $30 million.

Gary also remains a long shot to become the new home of the Chicago Bears. In January, the city presented a campaign called “The Ultimate Comeback Story,” with a bounty of tax incentives to lure the NFL team to Northwest Indiana.

The City of Gary has designed a 400-acre Bears stadium blueprint, just east of Burr Street, from Hard Rock Northern Indiana.