In 2015, a new state law was enacted within the state of Indiana that would allow the ten riverboat casinos in the state to create a land-based venue near their current river location. The first riverboat operator to decide to make the move was the Tropicana Evansville, a group that has now hired a firm from Kentucky to assist with moving from water to land.

Encompass Develop, Design and Construct will be managing the move for the Tropicana, with ground being broken this morning on the project. The move from river to shore will have a cost of $50 million and will see a new gaming space created that is 45,000 square feet in size. Dining establishments as well as entertainment areas will also be included in the build.

This morning, during the ground breaking, several officials for the casino operator as well as local and state officials will be on-site. This will include Tropicana Evansville General Manager John Chaszar, Chief Executive Officer and President of the company, Tony Rodio, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Executive Director of the Indiana Gaming Commission Sara Tait. The ceremony is set to take place this morning at 10:00 Central Standard Time.

Encompass has a great deal of experience in the gaming and hospitality industries having worked with Caesars Entertainment, Churchill Downs Inc., and Pinnacle Entertainment in the past. The company specializes in project management and architecture.

John Stewart, the owner and president of Encompass, commented in a press release on the new project that Encompass is honored to be partnering with Tropicana Entertainment in ‘this bold step to be the first riverboat casino in Indiana to move to land’. The company looks forward to contributing their expertise and watching as the new project has a positive impact on the tourism as well as local economy of the region.