The Big Hat was located at 3501 South Virginia Street. It was licensed from August 1947 to April 1954 for Slots, 21, and Roulette.

The Big Hat was actually more a dinner house than a gambling casino. It was one of those places where people went to have a nice dinner and perhaps enjoy a few drinks and a little gambling.

Over the years several people had the gaming concession at the Big Hat. They included K.O. Cunningham in 1948; Joe LaDue and Fred Detore in 1948; Andre Simetys from 1950-1952; Miles Keogh in 1952 and Godfrey Werner in 1953.

The former location of The Big Hat was occupied by the La Vecchia Restaurant as of 1999.

According to Dwayne Kling