Terre Haute is finally back on track to get a casino more than two years after the legislature made it possible.

Gaming Commission executive director Greg Small said the agency hoped to select a company for the Terre Haute license by the end of this year.

The Indiana Gaming Commission on Wednesday approved a deal under which Hard Rock will assume at least 85 percent ownership of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary from Indianapolis-based Spectacle Entertainment.

The Indiana Gaming Commission on Thursday voted not to renew a gaming license for a planned new casino in Terre Haute that has already faced delays and forced ownership changes.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians plans to retain all 700-plus employees at a southern Indiana casino if state regulators approve its ownership of the casino later this year.

The casino rules require customers to wear masks except when eating, drinking or smoking while seated at a slot machine, bar or restaurant table.

The Indiana House voted Monday for final legislative approval of the agreement signed in January by Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Dowagiac, Michigan-based Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

A longtime heavyweight in Indiana's gambling industry is selling his stake in a Gary casino project and permanently giving up his state casino license after allegations of financial wrongdoings by him and a business partner.

The legal fight over ownership of a new $300 million casino in Gary could leave it sitting unused for possibly months after construction work is completed.

The Indiana Gaming Commission has more than 10 people under investigation for possible financial misconduct that would violate state casino laws or regulations.