Rivers Casino - (Chicagoland area) - awful new layout

Looks like they installed a sports book where the club used to be.. took out a whole section of slots, though not clear if they relocated or just tossed them out (prob the latter). Quite unfortunate, as there were some favorites in that area.

They put slots on the second floor walkway to the garage, which is a terrible place from a noise perspective. The cacophony bounces around a small space, so it's an earache after a while.

Looks like there are also slots in the main entrance, with the security check moved closer to the doors.
Awkward placement as well.

Totally expect outdoor slot areas at this rate.. throw in some gas heater lamps and voila!

Not going back. They took away my Wicked Winnings III..

 

I haven't been to Rivers in ages. I went there a few times when it first opened and was surprised at how small that place is for a land based casino. Now with the recent changes that you described, it sounds like it's gotten worse. LOL I guess I'll stick to the Horseshoe -Hammond and the Blue Chip.

 

I didn't think it could get any worse!

 

Does rivers casino ever have $5/$10 minimum tables? I was there on a random Tuesday night and most of the tables were at $15 minimum

 

The thing is, Rivers did not even have a selection of "Good Slots" to take out! (**MEOW!**)

They tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that Rivers is actually a floating casino, as in sitting in a big bathtub of one inch of water or something, in order to be technically legal.

(If I'm wrong on that one, please let me know and I'll quit spreading it!)

It was bad enough on my one and only trip that I rejected it for future considerations during this lifetime! (Prairie Flower is a close second, but I did promise a friend that I would give it one more shot.)

I think this is my absolute fave of the Chicago area casinos. It's close to downtown/loop but when I'm staying there I very seldom have a car. I dunno if the free shuttles are still running.

I was VERY disappointed with the Ameristar in that area, as I do enjoy the Ameristars in both Council Bluffs and Kansas City.

 

Most folk that I know consider Rivers to be a land-based casino, but you're right. LOL Although, they recently designated Rivers Casino a land-based casino based on our new governor's gambling expansion bill, so it's official now.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-rivers-casino-land-based-20191108-b4zc7v2clnbhfiqwqw5uyaznwm-story.html

 

So? Did they just simply "drain the swamp", or the bathtub, or whatever?

 

From what I've read, they got approval from the gaming board, paid the extra fee, and now they're able to expand their gaming area outside of the "bathtub" making them land-based. LOL

 

How they didn't take consideration of gaming position expansion eventually coming to Illinois is beyond me.

Years ago, when Hollywood was opened as Empress, a host explained to me that they constructed the pavilion with eventual expansion of gaming positions in mind. Not only space, but electrical service put in to accommodate position expansion.

 

They probably thought expansion was never coming, and built the space to accommodate the maximum gaming positions at the time(700? 1200?)

Wasn't there originally supposed to be a 2nd floor?

Craps tables on mornings you'll find 1 or 2 $5 tables...usually packed but they are large tables. Pretty good crews, they have the A/T/S there(hit the ALL once there) and 100x odds if you're so inclined.

 

I live within an hour of Rivers (went by it many times on 294 heading to Midway for my Vegas fix), and I've never, ever thought about going there. Not even for chips for my collection. Heard too many bad things and besides, Potawatomi has everything I want for a quickie. Comped room, free food and free slot play, decent BJ. Plus I smoke.

 

One plus of the new sportsbar/future book is 9/5 bartop quarter vp. They also seem to be spreading $10 blackjack on weeknights

 

they still don't comp drinks right?

 

No comped drinks...state law. There is the equivalent of a diamond lounge, not sure what’s offered in there. I play a decent amount there as I’m 5 minutes away (mostly tables), and still at their lowest tier. Sometimes they will toss a meal my way after asking the floor during play, but overall they are tight on comps

 

gotcha...yeah I forgot if it was Iowa or Illinois where it was state law

 

I usually get a $50 Match play and free buffet in their monthly mailer