Tropicana Evansville General Manager, John Chaszar, announced on Tuesday night the opening date for the new land-based casino and entertainment facility is October 20th.

During the live news conference, Chaszar thanked the Indiana General Assembly, which in 2015 passed new land-based legislation making the transformation from riverboat possible. The casino’s GM went on to say that the move to land, after having operated on a riverboat for 20-plus years, brings Tropicana Evansville on an “even playing field” with their competitors in neighboring states.

Chaszar said, “It’s appropriate, us being the first casino in the state of Indiana and it’s appropriate for us to be the first ones to take advantage of the new land-based legislation,” Chaszar said. “When (the casino) first came to Evansville, it was a new milestone for the city of Evansville and we’re really looking forward to this next era of entertainment.”

Kentucky firm, Encompass Develop, Design and Construct, managed the move and last year on July 19th, Las Vegas-based Tropicana Entertainment Inc. (OTCQB: TPCA) broke ground on its new land-based casino located across the street from the current riverboat casino. The overall cost of the project, according to Chaszar, exceeded the company’s $50 million commitment to the city.

The 75,000 square foot facility features 45,000 square feet of gaming and reportedly includes 1,150 slot machines, 46 table games, restaurant, deli and lounge.

Chaszar added, having been sold to an undisclosed buyer, the current riverboat will be moved and the historic USS LST 325 warship will take its place sometime next year.

Originally named Casino Aztar, in 1995 the riverboat gambling vessel was opened by the Aztar Corporation in downtown Evansville, Indiana as the state’s first casino.