Pinnacle Entertainment announced Monday its intensions to purchase Aztar Corp. for 1.45 billion dollars. After the acquisition of Aztar, which owns Tropicana casino in Las Vegas, Pinnacle would expand to the major gambling markets.

Even though Pinnacle is based in Las Vegas, it will be its first property in Las Vegas. Pinnacle has properties in other cities in Nevada, in addition to properties in Indiana, Louisiana and Argentina. After the acquisition of Aztar, Pinnacle would own 12 gaming properties in the US.

The deal between Pinnacle and Aztar is the first major deal in the gambling market since Harrahs Entertainment bought Caesars Entertainment and MGM Mirage bought buyout Mandalay Resort Group late last year.