Rising Star Casino Resort in Rising Sun alerted state officials on Friday, March 28, that it is laying off 407 workers as part of its closure under state actions to limit the spread of COVID-19, according to several sources.

The Indiana Gaming Commission ordered Rising Star and other Indiana casinos on Monday, March 16, to close. 

Rising Star said it also closed its dining, golf, and other amenities at that time. 

As a result, the company said it will terminate its casino, restaurant and hotel employees on Tuesday, March 31. 

It will keep 36 Kessentlal team employees, “who will continue working on operations until such time we may reopen,” the company said in a required layoff notice to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. 

The company said if the Rising Star reopens in the near future, it anticipates positions will available for which current employees may apply.

Meanwhile, Rising Attorney Lane Siekman posted, in part, the following:

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act Notice: 

Gaming Entertainment (Indiana), LLC. Reduction in Force at the Rising Star Casino and Resort, 777 Rising Star Drive, Rising Sun, IN 47040. 

This notice is furnished to you pursuant to the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification (“WARN”) Act. I write to advise you of the ongoing closure of Gaming Entertainment (Indiana), LLC, d/b/a Rising Star Casino Resort (“Rising Star”), at 777 Rising Star Drive, Rising Sun, IN 47040.

Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and a State-issued order requiring closure effective March 16, 2020, Gaming Entertainment (Indiana), LLC ceased gaming operations and related amenities and services at Rising Star, including but not limited to hotel, food and beverage, golf, and RV park. 

Employees will be terminated effective March 31, 2020. A total of 407 employees will be affected. This includes all casino, restaurants and hotel jobs at the site except 36 essential team employees who will continue working on operations until such time we may reopen.

Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at 228-466-2827 or myself at 228-217-7445.

Sincerely,

Corporate Director of Human Resources Full House Resorts, Inc., sole member of Gaming Entertainment (Indiana) LLC. Without waiving any defenses available to the employer under WARN, we are providing this notice herein.