EVANSVILLE — Tropicana Evansville revenue soared in November, the land-based casino’s first full month of operation.
Gross revenue for November was $11.94 million, up from $10.66 million in October 2017 (the land-based casino opened Oct. 20) and $8.8 million in November 2016, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Total taxes generated for the month were $2.91 million. That’s up from $2.45 million in October 2017 and $2.02 million in November 2016.
The $50 million land-based casino replaced the riverboat, which had been in business since 1995.
“The casino is performing at our expectation,” said John Chaszar, Tropicana Evansville general manager. “We knew there would be a bump (with the move ashore).”
State legislation passed in 2016 enabled riverboat casinos to move on land. Tropicana was the first facility to take advantage of the new law.
The same legislation also tweaked the way some taxes are paid by gaming facilities. Tropicana no longer pays admission taxes; instead, it pays a supplemental tax which is 3 percent of gross revenues, Chaszar said.
All other casinos in the state are to adopt that taxation model in July 2018.
The land-based Tropicana Evansville’s opening coincided with the debut of two new restaurants, Tap House and The Deli, along with a bar and live music venue called 421.
Chaszar said the facility’s opening has gone well, but more workers are needed. Tropicana has about 120 vacant employment positions and will host a job fair from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Tropicana Evansville Hotel, in the Las Vegas and Atlantic City rooms.
“It’s still a very tight labor market,” Chaszar said.