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Las Vegas was in the middle of a slump. It was April 1957, and the town was still coming to terms with the opening of five major resorts two years earlier. The Dunes, Riviera, New Frontier, Royal Nevada and Moulin Rouge had all struggled through ownership changes, some slipping into bankruptcy; the latter two never recovered. The previous year’s opening of the Hacienda had been a low-key affair with little glamor. So to open the doors of the town’s most expensive hotel yet built was going against the grain.

The Tropicana had been planned since 1955, and on the surface did not seem to have been hurt much by the failures of that year. It had a curious ownership structure: Miami hotelier Ben Jaffe (part owner of the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach) owned the land on which the casino would sit, but Conquistador Inc. would build and operate the resort.

It just so happened that Conquistador’s owner, “Dandy” Phil Kastel, had a long and fruitful partnership with Frank Costello, perhaps the nation’s most infamous gangster in the spring of 1957. For years, Kastel had run New Orleans’ Beverly Club (an ostensibly illegal but still operating casino) for Costello; the two also shared in a Louisiana slot machine route operation that, similarly, might have been illegal on paper but which police managed to avoid until the Kefauver Committee’s spotlight forced them into action. And it almost goes without saying that most “Miami hotel men” who came to Las Vegas in this era were more than familiar with Meyer Lansky, another famous gangland name.

Kastel was the driving force behind the Tropicana’s construction, and was happy to talk about his vision for Las Vegas. In an interview with New York Times reporter Gilbert Millstein, he admitted that while he had been “good friends” with Frank Costello for years, the reputed Mob boss had “no interest” in the Tropicana whatsoever because he was too busy and troubled to take on Las Vegas. “You couldn’t give him all of Las Vegas,” Kastel explained.

It was Kastel’s experiences with the Beverly Club — and elsewhere — that convinced him to build the Tropicana. “I’ve seen a lot,” he said. “I know all types — underworld, upper world, middle world — and a lot of pretty nice people. I saw where there was a need for a first-class establishment without, you understand, knocking any other hotel. I’m a particular operator. I like to give value.”

That value took the form of a hotel-casino that cost $15 million, making it by far the most expensive Las Vegas resort yet built — closer to the $19 million it would cost for Caesars Palace nine years later than the $8.5 million high-rise Riviera. The Trop earned its nickname “the Tiffany of the Strip.”

That $15 million delivered 300 rooms in two three-story wings that swept back from the main building in a Y shape. Described as having a “quiet dignity” in the Las VegasReview-Journal (not precisely the words that first come to mind when discussing Las Vegas casinos today), the hotel was noted for its spacious lobby area and mosaic tile-lined entrance.

And so the doors opened on April 4. “Lush luxury, extremely good taste, warmth, intimacy, and functional efficiency,” enthused the Las Vegas Sun.

The Theater Restaurant, whose tiered floorplan gave every table an unobstructed view of the semi-circular stage, saw its first action that night with a gala revue that featured nearly three dozen dancers and the Las Vegas big stage debut of singing star Eddie Fisher. Produced by show business veteran Monte Proser, the revue featured original songs in an overarching storyline.

Kastel reached out to Los Angeles for culinary expertise, bringing in restaurateur Alexander Perino, whose Perino’s restaurant in L.A. was world renowned — an early example of a Las Vegas casino importing a celebrity chef, although in Perino’s case it was decades of superior dining, not television show, that had brought him fame. Perino oversaw the Theater Restaurant, the Brazilian Room and Perino’s Gourmet Room.

From Fremont Street, the Tropicana lured Ronzone’s, a downtown Las Vegas fashionwear staple, which established its first branch store in the new resort.

Unlike many of the resorts that had faltered two years earlier, the Tropicana boasted veteran leadership from day one, with many of its executives hailing from the Sands. Former Sands part-owner Louis Lederer served as secretary-treasurer and as half of the Executive Committee, which called all the shots at the Tropicana. The other half was T.M. Schimberg, the soft drink king of Chicago, who also presided over a Windy City real estate empire. Together, Lederer and Schimberg were responsible for the resort’s day-to-day operations, with Lederer presumably taking a more active role than Schimberg, who retained both of his Chicago businesses.

The casino itself was presided over by J.K. Houssels, who was one of the first owners of full-on Las Vegas gambling halls following their 1931 legalization. The former miner and Army Air Force pilot had managed at various times the Las Vegas Club, Showboat and El Cortez in addition to starting a bus line and taxi company. In his free time, he bred thoroughbreds.

A substantial investment in the resort buildings and executive talent promised to give the Tropicana the kind of pop the busts of 1955 had lacked. It wasn’t known at the time, but behind the scenes the Tropicana had even more veteran leadership in the form of Costello, who had a more active interest in the casino than his friend Dandy Phil wanted to admit. At the time of the opening, the general public was blissfully (or willfully) ignorant of Costello’s involvement, although in a few weeks Costello’s private business would become public in the most explosive way imaginable.

On May 2, 1957, while entering a New York apartment building, Costello was shot and wounded by Vincent “the Chin” Gigante on orders from rival Mafia boss Vito Genovese. Written on a piece of paper found by police inside Costello’s coat pocket was the exact gross win from the Tropicana as of April 27, 1957 — $651,284, less $153,745 in markers (loans to players), with the proceeds from slot machines at $62,844. The note mentioned $30,000 for “L” and $9,000 for “H,” likely money to be skimmed on behalf of Costello’s underworld partner Meyer Lansky and perhaps for Mob-connected Teamsters union boss James Hoffa. It was a big national news story.

Costello survived the shooting with a minor head wound, but six months later, during the famous Apalachin meeting of American crime family leaders on November 14, he agreed to step aside and allow Genovese to become boss of the Luciano family. Months earlier, Nevada’s state gaming agency had refused to license the Mob-tainted Kastel, and Tropicana landlord Jaffe convinced veteran local casino executive Houssels to take full control of the casino.

David G. Schwartz, author of several books on Las Vegas gaming history, is director of the Center for Gaming Research and teaches history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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Tropicana Evansville was originally named Casino Aztar and was Indiana’s first casino opening in 1995. The complex has a casino, hotel and entertainment center located in downtown Evansville, Ind. The casino is operated by Eldorado Resorts and is a sister hotel of the Tropicano Hotel and Casino located in Las Vegas. The newly opened sportsbook is run in partnership with William Hill.

While the casino floor is by no means the biggest at just over 38,000 square feet, it does pack in the games and tables. It has over 1,100 slots and over 60 tables and poker tables.

That is more than some of the casinos that have over 50,000 square feet of casino area. Between hotel Le Merigot and the Tropicana Hotel, there are 346 hotel rooms. The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Promotions

If you go to the website, you know there are plenty of promotions at the Tropicana Evansville. The big one that catches your eye is the Mercedes-Benz giveaway. From Jan. 5 to Feb. 22, you can enter the contest using your Trop Rewards points.

For every 25 points, you gain one entry into the contest. Tropicana Evansville will have a contest every Saturday to gain bonus entries, with the grand prize drawing to occur on Feb. 22.

Tropicana also does something that leaves most casinos looking behind the times. They have a weekly Facebook contest for free play. Two winners will receive $200 in free play and one $100 in free play just by commenting on the Facebook post.

For the older players, it offers a few Club 55 contests. For gamblers 55 and over, Tropicana Evansville offers a slot tournament every Monday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. There are 120 winners every week. On Thursdays, you can enter a drawing to be eligible for $100 in free play.

Since sports betting is now legal, the casino is offering a Big Game party that costs $20 to get in. There are drawings, giveaways and free bets. William Hill is giving away $100 bets throughout the game and five $100 free bets at the end of the third quarter.

Gaming

While the Tropicana Evansville doesn’t have the biggest floor, it still has plenty to offer. Sports betting, slots, table games, and a poker room can all be found inside.

Tropicana Casino Buffet Hours

Table games

Tropicana Evansville has over 30 table games with all of your favorite games. The Trop has a really nice high-limit room that is smoke-free.

• Blackjack
• 21+3 + Top 3 Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette
• Mini-Baccarat
• Mississippi Stud
• Omaha
• Three Card Poker
• Texas Hold ’Em

Poker room

The poker room is smoke-free and offers a lot of different tables. The limits range from low to high, and it offers Omaha and Texas Hold ’em. Tropicana Evansville doesn’t have weekly tournaments, but it does maintain a nice monthly tournament schedule.

Tropicana Casino Evansville Hours

Slots

There are 1,121 slot machines offered at the Tropicana Evansville. The new remodel offers a lot of new machines with your favorite game. They offer penny slots up to $100 slot machines.

• Ten Times Pay Red, White and Blue
• Burning Bars
• Super 7s
• 5 Dragons Gold
• 5 Stars
• 88 Fortunes
• African Diamonds
• Aladdin’s Fortune 3D
• Blazing 7s
• Dancing Drums
• Dragon Link
• Emerald Falls
• Monopoly Money

On top of the really nice slot selection, Tropicana Evansville also offers a great selection of video poker machines.

William Hill Sportsbook

William Hill is a common name for anyone associated with sports betting. William Hill is the top sports betting operator in the United States.

As of now, you do have to come to the casino to place your bets in person, but William Hill does have an app designed, and it will soon be up and functioning in Indiana. Its mobile app is up and running in New Jersey and seems to be going very well.

A big advantage is that William Hill offers one of the most expansive lists of sports and games to bet on. All the American professional sports are listed as well as NCAA sports.

If you have a sport that is not as popular that you like to bet, it lists lines for darts, cricket, rugby as well as many others. Parlays, teasers, moneylines, futures, live betting; you name it, the William Hill sportsbook at Tropicana Evansville has it.

Hours of operations

• Monday – Friday: 10 am – midnight
• Saturday and Sunday: 8 am – midnight

Rewards program

Tropicana Evansville has an in-house rewards program called Trop Advantage. It is pretty much the common rewards program structure with a special bonus program for guests 55 and over called Club 55.

You can earn cash, hotel discounts, free dining, free entries, and tons of special promotions. You earn points through slot play, 15 minutes of table play, and poker room time.

Online gaming

William Hill will eventually have a mobile app, but it is not currently up and running in Indiana. Tropicana does have a free online casino, but in Indiana, you cannot bet real money in a casino online. You can use the online points for rewards, just like in the Trop Advantage program.

Dining

Tropicana Casino Pool Hours

While the gaming floor isn’t huge, the whole center connecting the two hotels means there are a lot of dining options. The Tropicana Evansville center contains seven restaurants and one bar. We will review the ones directly connected or inside the casino.

Cavanaugh’s On The River

The steak and seafood house is the fine-dining choice. It has a great selection of meat and a wine list that would make any restaurant jealous. The fresh seafood is always a treat, but the prices do tend to be on the higher side, with entrees ranging from a little above $20 to up to $75.

Hours of operation

• Closed Sunday and Monday
• Tuesday – Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm
• Friday and Saturday: 5 pm – 11 pm

The Brew Brothers Tap House

This bar-and-grill-style restaurant features a great beer menu and delicious appetizers, burgers, and great fish and chips. There are 36 beers on tap, so you will definitely find something to enjoy while following your sports bet from William Hill.

Hours of operation

• Sunday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm (Drinks served until 3 am every night)
• Friday and Saturday: 9 am – 11 pm

The Deli

Every casino has to have a quick grab-and-go-style place for the gamblers who don’t want to miss out on the action. The Deli is open 24 hours a day, so you can always find something to eat no matter what time you are doing your gambling.

It is designed to resemble a New York-style deli. It offers deli sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, polish sausage, and a nice selection of side dishes. Its grab-and-go breakfast is extremely popular among the early morning players.

The Kitchen Buffet

The buffet at Tropicana Evansville is only open on the weekends. It serves brunch on Sunday and a breakfast-only selection Saturday and Sunday mornings. On Friday nights, it offers dinner only.

Hours of operation

• Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm $21.95
• Saturday and Sunday Breakfast: 7 am – 10:30 am $10.95
• Saturday Lunch: 11 am – 2:30 pm $14.95
• Sunday Brunch: 11 am – 2:30 pm $16.95
• Saturday Dinner: 4 pm – 10 pm $21.95
• Sunday Dinner: 4 pm – 9 pm $17.95

Other Indiana Locations

Entertainment

Cavanaugh’s offers a piano bar as well as live entertainment on the weekends. It brings in some of the more popular bands in the Evansville area. There is a convention and meeting space, but no nightclub or arena area for concerts on property.