Horseshoe, Southern Indiana

Now that I'm back in the 'Nati, A/C is a bit of a haul, so SWMBO and I decided to check out this riverboat casino. It is actually the largest still functioning riverboat in the world, but by December the casino will be moved to land. The boat has already been sold. With things changing, there are not many options to eat, I think breakfast is only available via room service. Their buffet is gone. Binions steak is excellent, but really more than one dinner there per visit would be much and expensive! We had lunch at the Smoke and Rye BBQ place that was good, but got repetitive after the third visit!

Good news is the new land based casino will have a food court and close to ten options for food. The soft opening is in December, official is in April of 2020.

The walk from the hotel to the casino is quite lengthy, and the golf carts that used to help are gone now, as well. So, you gotta hoof it. Probably a good way to get some exercise, truth be told!

The boat casino is four floors, bottom floor non-smoking, top floor high stakes and Diamond Lounge. It is quite nice with a lunch and dinner served at specific times, and finger foods at other times; cheese, chips, and fruit. Liquor is not free. Not even close to A/C. After getting acclimated and finding slots I like, I was happy with the selection, and I played enough to get over the 15K Tier credits to become a Diamond again next year. Don't see me getting the 25K for free DL access, but I have oodles of RCs.

Sadly, it took me until the last day to discover you could actually get out on the decks, where it was quite nice and I was able to light up a seagar and watch the barges go by. Not a problem to smoke in the casino, however- I would find a row of video poker machines that were empty and light up. The ventilation was pretty good. They also have pop machines for you to get your own soda, which I really do like.

So, yes, I would recommend this casino- out in the middle of nowhere- to folks in the area who feel like losing some money but having a good time doing so.

 

Think you hit it exactly. I like everything about HSI except the gambling. Never left that place ahead. I thought the land based casino was already opened. Would have been disappointed if we went up to see it.
Not sure what their plans are with the boat once the land based is open. I'd sort of like them to keep the boat open and start taking it back out on the water again like they all used to do when they first started.

 

Thanks for the report! I've been wondering when the landbased was supposed to open. I go to HSI 2 or 3 times a year, and yes it is quite a hike from the hotel to the casino. I'll be glad when that is gone. And as you mentioned, the food is an issue. I like the Smoke and Rye, but you can only eat there so many times before you get bored with it.

 

I was there this weekend(first time) and really enjoyed it. Shame the boats closing imo, it’s unique and fun. Smoke and Rye was good, but will be closing soon and apparently not reopening. Binion’s steak was good, but the service was lacking.

 

I'm sad that Smoke and Rye is closing. I love their Mac n cheese!!

 

Not sure what you mean by “still functioning riverboat”. It hasn’t left the dock in 15 years.

 

I've never had luck at Horseshoe . The buffet was ok but better back in the day when the Caesar's name was on the boat. I hadn't heard Smoke and Rye was closing. Surprising as it seems to do pretty well but then again, it's one of the few places to eat there.

 

The bartender let that slip while talking to some regulars, apparently it’s not public knowledge yet?

 

The riverboat is still operational, they loosened some of the maritime rules back when they committed to remaining at dock. It’s much too valuable an asset to leave unused, they will sell it. They can’t cruise and gamble because they will enter Kentucky waters. And keeping something that huge for scenic cruising...the area is not that scenic.

 

It leaves the dock several times a year for coast guard inspection. It has a full crew.

 

Did not hear that. Would be somewhat surprising. Not sure why it would close, frankly, although it was never that busy even as the only game in town, so to speak.

 

Nice report!

It's too bad the Cincinnati casino is isn't still owned by CET. I'd much rather gamble there vs. HSI. But the one night I did play at HSI, during the awesome 2012 Race to Rewards, I did pretty well!

 

I was told that CET is going to buy back Jack's in Cincinnati. By a host that came to say "hi." Proof positive they know exactly what you're playing and where every time you put your card in a machine.

 

https://www.jackentertainment.com/2019/04/05/jack-entertainment-agrees-to-sell-jack-cincinnati-casino-and-turfway-park/

 

Proof positive hosts don't always know what they're talking about!