In October 2017, ownership of the property was transferred to Vici Properties as part of a corporate spin-off, and it was leased back to Caesars Entertainment. The current casino facility, a gaming vessel designed by Friedmutter Group beginning in 2006, was opened on August 8, 2008. In 2004, the corporation was sold to Harrah’s Entertainment (re-branded as Caesars Entertainment in 2010), who oversaw a 2-year construction of a new boat. After selling off the Joliet property in 2001, the Hammond property was re-branded as Horseshoe Casino Hammond on May 4, 2001. In 1999, the corporation acquired Empress Casinos, including both the Hammond property and another Empress Casino in Joliet, Illinois. Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation was established in 1993 as a private holding company mostly owned by Jack Binion. Horseshoe Casino was originally opened as Empress Casino in 1996 as a 54,000-square-foot (5,000 m 2), four-level gaming vessel. Horseshoe Casino Hammond, located in Hammond, Indiana, is a 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m 2) property containing gaming, entertainment, restaurants, bars, and lounges.
