Evansville, Indiana has 50 million reasons for excitement—in the state’s first land-based casino, a $50 million development that opened in October.
Orchestrated by SOSH Architects and Hafer Design, Tropicana Evansville showcases Evansville’s scenic location on the Ohio River at the juncture of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. Three states within short distance of one new gaming facility? Geographically, that’s triple 7s.
The project, which replaced Tropicana’s riverboat casino, not only fit market needs and anticipated future growth, but is designed to transform the city by drawing customers from surrounding states, enhancing revenues and bolstering the local tax base.
Revenues were reported at $15.7 million in March compared to $11.6 million for the same month last year. The successful expansion played a big role.
Tropicana’s 75,000-square-foot entertainment development includes a single-level 45,000-square-foot gaming floor, two new restaurants and an ultra-modern live entertainment lounge called 421. Havana-inspired colors, textures and other visual cues were woven into the design in keeping with Tropicana’s brand.
Gaming elements include 1,175 slot machines and more than 30 table games including blackjack, roulette and craps. The poker room and high-limit room became instant attractions. Live monthly tournaments include Top 3 Blackjack, Bad Beat Jackpots, Craps, High Card Flush, Mini Baccarat, Mississippi Stud, Omaha, Roulette, Texas Hold’em and Three-Card Poker. The high-limit room features high-limit blackjack and mini-baccarat with the Dragon Bonus side bet.
The casino exterior features more than 38,800 color-changing LED lights for a three-dimensional facade that engages and entertains guests. Interior wall-mounted LED video ribbons also enhance the atmosphere.
Accommodations include the on-site Evansville Hotel and boutique LeMerigot Hotel, and 10 suites with spacious living and dining areas, master bedrooms and spa tubs.
In April, the company agreed to sell Tropicana’s real estate to Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. and merge its gaming and hotel operations into Eldorado Resorts, Inc. The $1.85 billion deal is scheduled to close in the second half of this year.
OWNER: Eldorado Resorts (pending)
ARCHITECTS: SOSH Architects and Hafer Design
FEATURES: Indiana’s first land-based casino
INVESTMENT: $50 million
