Bally's Evansville Explained

Casino:Bally's Evansville
Address:421 NW Riverside Drive
Location:Evansville, Indiana
Publictransit: METS
Rooms:243 main hotel
95 boutique hotel
Date Opened:1995
Space Gaming:45000square feet
Attractions:24-Hour Casino & Bally Bet Sportsbook & Bar
Casino Type:Land-based
Architect:Various, SOSH Architects (Renovations)

Bally's Evansville is a casino hotel and entertainment complex in downtown Evansville, Indiana, owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Bally's Corporation.

Originally named Casino Aztar, it was opened by Aztar Corporation in 1995 as the state's first casino. The name was changed to Tropicana Evansville in 2013. In 2017, the casino moved from its original riverboat into a land-based facility. The property was rebranded as Bally's Evansville in 2021.

The main entertainment facility consists of a 45000square feet casino[1] with 940 slot games, 28 live and electronic table games, Bally Bet Sportsbook, and a High Limit Room. Accommodations include a 243-room Bally's Evansville Hotel tower and the 95-room Legend's boutique hotel. The property also includes three dining options, three bars, conference center, riverfront event center, and a 1,660-vehicle attached parking garage.

History

Casino Aztar was Indiana's first casino under riverboat gaming legislation passed in 1993. It opened in 1995.

In 2005, the casino generated $137 million in revenue and $41 million in profits.[2]

The entertainment district with a 95-room boutique hotel and additional restaurants opened in late 2006.

The property's name was changed to Tropicana Evansville in 2013.[3]

In 2017, the casino moved from its original riverboat into a land-based facility.[4]

In 2018, the casino's parent company, Tropicana Entertainment sold its real estate assets, including the Tropicana Evansville, to Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLP), while Eldorado Resorts (later named Caesars Entertainment) acquired the casinos' operating businesses.[5]

Bally's Corporation purchased the Tropicana's operating business from Caesars in 2021 for $140 million, leasing the property from GLP for $28 million per year.[6] The property was rebranded as Bally's Evansville later that year.[7]

The District

The Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District is a $40 million expansion, opened in 2006. The district includes a 100-room boutique hotel and a multi-venu entertainment facility centered on a riverfront park.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Tropicana's new land-based casino officially open in Evansville. WEHT-TV. October 19, 2017. 2017-10-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020043243/http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/tropicana-holds-soft-opening-thursday/840746777 . 2017-10-20.
  2. Web site: Gauging Aztar's Value . 2007-01-05 . The Motley Fool.
  3. News: Casino Aztar changes name. Dubois County Herald. June 12, 2013. AP. 2021-06-06.
  4. News: $50 million on-shore Evansville casino opens to gamblers. U.S. News & World Report. AP. October 20, 2017. 2017-10-20.
  5. Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. completes previously announced acquisition of the real estate assets of Tropicana Entertainment. Gaming and Leisure Properties. October 1, 2018. GlobeNewswire. 2018-10-11.
  6. Bally's Corporation completes acquisition of Tropicana Evansville casino. Bally's Corporation. June 4, 2021. 2021-06-06.
  7. News: It's official: Casino will reopen Wednesday with new name Bally's Evansville. Evansville Courier & Press. John T. Martin. October 12, 2021. 2021-10-13.
  8. Web site: Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District . Veazey Parrott Durkin & Shoulders . 2006-12-21.