Operator News
US – Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians snap up Caesars Southern Indiana for $250m
By Phil - 4 January 2021
Caesars Entertainment is to sell the operations of Caesars Southern Indiana to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for $250m, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
The tribe will enter into a new lease with year one annual rent payments of $32.5m with VICI Properties, who maintains ownership of the real estate of the property. As a result of this transaction, Caesars annual payments to VICI Properties under the Regional Master Lease will decline by $32.5m upon closing of the transaction.
Additionally, effective as of the closing of the transaction, Caesars and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will extend their existing relationship by entering into a long-term agreement for the continued use of the Caesars brand and Caesars Rewards loyalty program at Caesars Southern Indiana.
“Expanding our relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is an exciting event for Caesars Entertainment,” said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. “Since our partnership began back in 1996, we have admired their growth and the success of their properties. We look forward to increasing our relationship by extending the Caesars brand and Caesars Rewards loyalty program to them at Caesars Southern Indiana.”
“The purchase of Caesars Southern Indiana operating company marks the beginning of an exciting new future for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” said Richard Sneed, Principal Chief Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. “We are pleased to build upon our long-standing partnership with Caesars as we look to advance our interests in commercial gaming in the coming years.”
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021 and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
