Rivers Casino represents a multi-property gaming and entertainment portfolio operated by Rush Street Gaming, with five distinct locations serving major markets across the United States. Each property combines casino gaming with comprehensive hospitality offerings, creating destination venues that extend beyond traditional gaming floors. The brand has established a presence in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York, with each location tailored to its specific market while maintaining consistent operational standards and guest service protocols.
Introduction
The Rivers Casino brand emerged as part of Rush Street Gaming's expansion strategy to develop premier gaming destinations in strategically selected markets. Unlike single-property operators, Rivers Casino leverages a multi-location model that allows for shared technology infrastructure, centralized loyalty programs, and operational best practices across all properties. This approach creates value for guests through the Rush Rewards program, which enables earning and redemption across locations, and provides operational efficiencies through shared systems and vendor relationships.
Each Rivers Casino property operates under state-specific gaming regulations and licensing requirements, which influence the gaming product mix, operating hours, and promotional activities available at each location. Understanding these regulatory frameworks is essential for guests planning visits, as gaming options, tax implications, and responsible gaming resources vary by jurisdiction.
Rivers Casino Locations Overview
The Rivers Casino portfolio consists of five properties, each serving distinct geographic markets with varying competitive dynamics and regulatory environments. Location selection has focused on markets with strong population density, accessibility, and favorable regulatory conditions for casino gaming operations.
Des Plaines, Illinois
Located minutes from downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport, Rivers Casino Des Plaines serves the Chicago metropolitan area. This property benefits from proximity to one of the largest urban markets in the United States and convenient access for both local residents and travelers. The Illinois gaming market operates under specific tax structures and regulatory oversight that shape the property's operations and promotional capabilities.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Positioned on Philadelphia's Delaware Waterfront, this property serves the fifth-largest city in the United States and benefits from the broader Philadelphia metropolitan statistical area. The waterfront location provides distinctive positioning within the competitive Pennsylvania gaming market, which includes multiple casino properties across the state. Pennsylvania's gaming regulations include specific provisions for table games, slots, and sports betting that define the product offering.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Located on Pittsburgh's North Shore at 777 Casino Drive, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh includes The Landing Hotel, creating an integrated resort experience. This property serves the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and benefits from its North Shore location near professional sports venues and cultural attractions. The integration of hotel accommodations distinguishes this property within the Rivers Casino portfolio and enables multi-day visit packages.
Portsmouth, Virginia
Rivers Casino Portsmouth serves the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, positioned minutes from downtown Portsmouth. This property operates within Virginia's relatively new casino gaming framework, which has specific regulatory requirements and market protections. The Virginia market represents a growth opportunity as the state's gaming industry continues to mature.
Schenectady, New York
Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady is located in the heart of New York's Capital Region at 1 Rush Street. This property includes The Landing Hotel and serves the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area. New York's gaming regulations include specific provisions for upstate casino licenses, which provide defined market territories and regulatory frameworks that shape competitive dynamics.
Gaming Options and Progressive Jackpots
Rivers Casino properties offer comprehensive gaming floors with slot machines, table games, and progressive jackpot systems. The specific mix of games varies by location based on floor space, market preferences, and regulatory requirements, but all properties maintain diverse gaming options to serve different player preferences and bankroll levels.
Slot Gaming
Slot machine offerings include traditional reel slots, video slots, and progressive jackpot games with linked prize pools. Progressive systems may be property-specific or linked across multiple machines to create larger jackpot pools. Slot denominations range from penny slots to high-limit machines, accommodating different player budgets and risk tolerances. Modern slot floors incorporate cashless gaming technology and integration with loyalty card systems for automatic comp accrual.
Table Games
Table game selections typically include blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and various poker variants. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh specifically advertises progressive jackpots for Face Up Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Blazing 7's Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Mississippi Stud, and Four Card Poker. These progressive systems add an additional prize component beyond standard table game payouts, with jackpot amounts displayed on the gaming floor and reset after wins.
Poker Rooms
Select locations offer dedicated poker rooms with cash games and tournament series. Poker room operations are subject to specific regulatory requirements and typically operate with different economic models than house-banked table games, as the casino collects rake rather than playing against customers.
Rush Rewards Loyalty Program
The Rush Rewards program serves as the integrated loyalty system across all Rivers Casino properties, enabling guests to earn points through gaming activity and redeem rewards at any location. The program structure includes multiple tier levels with escalating benefits based on annual play volume.
Earning and Redemption
Members earn points through slot play and table games, with earning rates varying by game type and bet levels. Points can be redeemed for free play, dining credits, hotel accommodations, and merchandise. The cross-property redemption capability allows members to earn at one location and use rewards at another, providing flexibility for guests who visit multiple properties.
Tier Benefits
The program includes multiple membership tiers, with higher tiers offering enhanced benefits such as increased point earning rates, priority access to promotions, dedicated customer service lines, and invitations to exclusive events. Tier status is typically calculated based on rolling annual play volume, with specific thresholds varying by property and market conditions.
Travel Partnerships
Rush Rewards members gain access to travel opportunities including annual trips to Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas and MSC Cruises sailings. These partnerships extend the value proposition beyond on-property benefits and create aspirational rewards for active players. Eligibility requirements and booking procedures are specific to each travel partnership and tier level.
Dining and Entertainment
Rivers Casino properties feature multiple dining venues ranging from quick-service options to upscale restaurants, along with bars and lounges throughout the gaming floor and public areas. Entertainment programming includes live music, DJ performances, special events, and watch parties for sporting events.
Restaurant Concepts
Dining options vary by property but typically include steakhouses, Italian cuisine, Asian restaurants, buffets, and casual dining venues. Some locations feature celebrity chef partnerships or signature restaurant concepts. Reservations are recommended for upscale dining venues, particularly during peak periods and special events.
Live Entertainment
Entertainment calendars include tribute bands, local musicians, national touring acts, and themed events. Rivers Casino Pittsburgh specifically advertises events like DJ Pauly D performances and themed parties. Event centers and entertainment venues vary by property, with some locations offering dedicated performance spaces while others utilize flexible event areas.
Sports Viewing
BetRivers Sportsbook locations within select properties offer sports betting along with viewing experiences for major sporting events. Watch parties for professional and college football games provide communal viewing experiences with food and beverage service.
Hotel Accommodations
The Landing Hotel operates at both Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Rivers Casino Schenectady, providing integrated resort experiences with direct casino access. Hotel amenities typically include modern guest rooms, meeting spaces, fitness facilities, and concierge services.
Room categories range from standard accommodations to suites, with pricing that varies based on demand, special events, and promotional periods. Package deals combining hotel stays with dining credits, free play, or entertainment tickets are frequently available and provide value for multi-day visits.
Promotions and Special Events
Rivers Casino properties run ongoing promotional calendars with cash drawings, prize giveaways, tournament series, and themed events. Promotional eligibility typically requires Rush Rewards membership and may include specific earning requirements or entry periods. New member promotions offer introductory bonuses to encourage enrollment, with offers varying by location and competitive conditions.
Seasonal events align with holidays and major sporting events, with New Year's Eve celebrations, football season promotions, and summer concert series representing recurring programming elements. Promotional terms and conditions specify eligibility requirements, prize structures, and claiming procedures, which guests should review before participating.
Responsible Gaming Commitment
All Rivers Casino properties operate under responsible gaming frameworks that include self-exclusion programs, voluntary play limits, and access to problem gambling resources. Each location provides information about state-specific helplines and support services, with staff trained to recognize problem gambling indicators and provide resource referrals.
Regulatory requirements mandate age verification, with all guests required to be 21 or older to enter gaming areas. Properties implement ID checking protocols at entrances and throughout gaming floors to ensure compliance with age restrictions.
Conclusion
Rivers Casino operates as a multi-property gaming and entertainment brand with distinct locations serving major metropolitan markets across five states. Each property combines casino gaming with dining, entertainment, and hospitality services, while the Rush Rewards program creates connectivity across locations. The brand's operational model balances consistent standards with market-specific adaptations, responding to local competitive conditions and regulatory frameworks. For guests, understanding the specific offerings, promotional structures, and regulatory environments at each location enables informed decision-making about which property best matches their preferences and visit objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Rush Rewards program work across different Rivers Casino locations?
Rush Rewards is a unified loyalty program that allows members to earn points at any Rivers Casino property and redeem rewards at all locations. Points are earned through slot play and table games, with tier status calculated based on annual play volume across all properties.
What are the age requirements for visiting Rivers Casino properties?
All Rivers Casino locations require guests to be 21 years or older to enter gaming areas. Valid government-issued photo identification is required for age verification at all properties.
Do all Rivers Casino locations offer hotel accommodations?
No, only Rivers Casino Pittsburgh and Rivers Casino Schenectady feature The Landing Hotel with on-site accommodations. Other locations are casino-only properties, though nearby hotel options are available in all markets.
What types of progressive jackpots are available at Rivers Casino properties?
Progressive jackpots vary by location but include linked slot machine progressives and table game progressives for games like Face Up Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, and various poker variants. Jackpot amounts are displayed on gaming floors and reset after wins.
Can I use promotional offers earned at one Rivers Casino location at another property?
Promotional offers are typically property-specific and must be used at the issuing location. However, Rush Rewards points and tier benefits are valid across all properties. Specific promotional terms should be reviewed for each offer.
What responsible gaming resources are available at Rivers Casino properties?
All locations provide access to self-exclusion programs, voluntary play limits, and state-specific problem gambling helplines. Resources vary by state, with dedicated support numbers including 1-800-GAMBLER, 1-877-8-HOPENY, and other jurisdiction-specific services.