Tropicana Entertainment Plans $50M Casino in Indiana

By Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

Tropicana Entertainment is planning a $50 million casino development at its Tropicana Evansville property in Indiana.

Tropicana Evansville Hotel

Plans call for a single-level gaming and entertainment facility of approximately 75,000 square feet. The new development would be situated on land owned by Tropicana between its existing hotels, Tropicana Evansville Hotel and Le Merigot Hotel, Evansville’s first boutique hotel, and would replace the company’s current riverboat casino.

If approved, the project would break ground in the first quarter of 2016, with an expected 18- to 24-month construction period.

Tropicana’s proposal follows amendments to Indiana law earlier this year that permit the state’s riverboat casinos to move landside.

Under a proposed lease agreement between Tropicana and the City of Evansville, Tropicana would remove its existing gaming vessel once construction of the land-based development is complete. The company would also contribute $1 million toward the City of Evansville’s plan to relocate a historic LST 325 World War II vessel to the dockside location of the current Tropicana riverboat casino.

“Today’s announcement will further galvanize economic development in downtown Evansville and is the first step toward reshaping our riverfront, bringing more options for entertainment while connecting to our city’s historical past,” said Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. “The City of Evansville has long enjoyed a strong partnership with Tropicana Entertainment, and this new multi-million dollar investment seals the deal that our partnership will continue in the future.”

Image courtesy of Tropicana Entertainment