Indiana Casino Failed To Announce Timberlake Cancellation

An Indiana casino learnt the heavy price of keeping a celebrity cancellation to itself when it was slapped with a $40,000 fine. Indiana Live Casino, near Shelbyville, admitted it was aware a day in advance that Justin Timberlake was unable to attend the casino’s opening night but decided to keep that news quiet all the same. Actress Jessica Biel was due to appear on the same billing but also cancelled before the event.
The grand opening saw thousands of disappointed fans turn out to see the stars, as well as causing the traffic to back up along Interstate 74 near Shelbyville. At the time the casino kept up the pretence by acting surprised the celebrities hadn’t shown up.
The incident took place back in March, and the Indiana Gaming Commission levied the $40,000 fine for not announcing the cancellation and continuing with the promotion all the same. The commission claimed the pretence could have damaged the reputation of the gaming industry in the state.
Although the casino now fully admits their misconduct, and that the news should have been announced when they knew Justin Timberlake wouldn’t be there, it still seems the move worked for them as there was a record turn out of visitors on the night. 
Last month the Indiana Gaming Commission fined the casino $84,000 for four other violations,which included failing to keep accurate revenue records on which its taxes are based. Although they were fined $75,000 for that error alone, J. Lee McNeely, the Indiana Live attorney said these types of errors are not all together unusual in casinos and were unintentional.