December 26th, 2010 – by Glen Farmer
Rock Gaming LLC and Caesars Entertainment Corporation have announced that they have formed a joint venture to develop and operate the casinos in downtown Cleveland and Cincinnati.
The new venture, Rock Ohio Caesars LLC, is majority owned by Rock Gaming. Long term management agreements with subsidiaries of Caesars for management and operation of each of the ventures have been planned.
By early 2011, a new general manager for each casino should be named by the company. The managers will be charged with the task of keeping operating standards high, providing good paying jobs to the community, and serving as good corporate neighbors.
In November of 2009, Ohio voters approved full service gaming in the state. A constitutional amendment passed that would allow casinos in the four largest cities in the state.
Rock Ohio Caesars is expected to invest more than $600 million to develop the casino in Cleveland, which is expected to create more than 8,000 direct and in-direct jobs in the region.
The Cincinnati casino is expected to only cost approximately $400 million to establish.
It is expected that a late 2011 or early 2012 opening will come of the casinos.