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$50 million on-shore Evansville casino opens to gamblers

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Gamblers streamed into a new $50 million on-shore casino in Evansville as it opened to replace the riverboat it had occupied since first opening in 1995.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday marked the debut of the new Tropicana Evansville casino across the street from the old riverboat's dock along the Ohio River.

Tropicana Entertainment CEO Tony Rodio says the new casino's restaurants and lounge are critical to diversifying entertainment options and offering more than just slot machines and table games.

Gambler Cheryl Goshen of St. Louis says the new casino is "absolutely gorgeous."

A new owner is expected to soon move the riverboat. Mayor Lloyd Winnecke hopes the restored LST 325 World War II troop landing ship based in the city moves to that dock within a year.

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