Casino Aztar Competes with Neighboring Casinos

Casino Aztar is on for a competition with a new casino at French Lick, Ind. Jim Brown, president and general manager of Casino Aztar said, "We have new competition coming on line and we need to remain competitive."

Brown said with competition surrounding them, they added penny slot machines to the mix of games on the riverboat's gaming floor. The penny slots are the latest product trend in the gaming industry. There are now 1,400 slots in Aztar.

He said, "You can play whatever amount you can play, rather than have a threshold of a dollar minimum."

A $40 million construction is in progress. The entertainment complex - "The District at Casino Aztar" will have its grand opening next month. It features Jillian's Billiard Club, the Ri Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant and a one-acre park with fountain.

Casino Aztar would never stop its improvement. Last year, it announces a second phase of its expansion project for 2007.

Improvements at Casino Aztar are intended to attract both out-of-town tourists and local customers. Aztar would celebrate its 10th anniversary in Evansville.

Casino Aztar is competiting with French Lick's new casino - the state's 11th - that is already taking shape, the $382 million casino renovation of French Lick. A major expansion is also planned for the Caesars Indiana casino in Harrison County and Harrah's in Metropolis.

Brown stressed, "We're trying to keep up with the competition and in some cases get ahead of the competition."

Vice Presdent of French Lick, Jerry Geason, defended its casino, said, "We certainly will be competing for the same gaming dollars. In order for us to be successful, we have to have a combination of those day-tripper gamers, as well as the overnighters and multiple-night stays, and that is what our marketing is targeting."

That is why Casino Aztar is doing all its worth to compete with casinos such as the French Lick. Brown said "Penny slots are not driving the market; they are a component in a variety of casino games we offer." But Brown denied that penny slots are intended to motivate the customers to bet larger amounts. "No, I don't think that's it at all. The'pennies' are just hot right now."