The casino is quite small and with several machines closed due to Covid-distancing, not really much to play on. Cant drink any more either-which was a huge let down for us as we like to sip and play. Cant bring any beverages into the casino either from the room, etc. Wasnt crazy about having to show drivers license just to enter the place either. The closest grocery stores are Western Food and General Merchandise, Super Mercado La Hacienda and Martinez Grocery Two. Nearby coffee shops include The TreeHouse Coffee Shop and Jitters. Nearby restaurants include Flavors Buffet At Harrah's Casino, The Reserve and Wendy's. 350 N Hickory St is near University of St. Francis, GARNSEY PARK and ST. . Of the ten casinos in the state, only three have not applied to have sports betting. Those three are: Harrah’s Joliet, Jumer’s Casino, and Harrah’s Metropolis. Revenue from the state’s thousands of VGT machines surpasses the revenue from the ten casinos’ slot machines. You must be 21 years or older to gamble in Illinois.

Harrah's Joliet is a riverboat casino in Joliet, Illinois, outside Chicago, operated by Caesars Entertainment. It has 1,138 slot machines, 204 hotel rooms, and 4 restaurants.

History[edit]

The city began a downtown revitalization effort called Joliet City Center in 1990.^[1] The plan called for a greater emphasis on the Des Plaines riverfront, including the construction of a slip for riverboat gambling, which had been legalized by the state earlier that year. Early discussions were held between Joliet and Harrah's, operator of casinos in Nevada and Atlantic City,^[2] but it was Missouri hotel developer John Q. Hammons who moved forward and was awarded the gaming license.^[3] Hammons then brought Harrah's on board to operate the business and own an 80 percent share. Hammons' stake was initially to be financed by Harrah's, but this led to concern from the Illinois Gaming Board that Hammons was 'selling' the license, so Hammons used his own money and outside funding sources instead.^[4]

Harrah's Joliet launched its first boat on May 4, 1993, a 210-foot yacht named the Northern Star, with 500 slot machines and 40 table games.^[5] A second vessel with a more traditional paddleboat look, the Southern Star, was added the following January.^[6]

A $29-million hotel was added in 1999, with 204 rooms on 11 floors.^[7]

After state law was changed to allow riverboat casinos to remain permanently docked, instead of cruising every two hours,^[8] Harrah's replaced its boats in 2001 with two joined barges, with 40,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,138 slot machines and 31 table games.^[9]

In October 2017, Caesars Entertainment (formerly Harrah's) transferred its 80 percent ownership stake in the property to Vici Properties as part of a corporate spin-off; Caesars continued to operate Harrah's Joliet under a lease agreement.^[10][11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Baeb, Eddie (November 2, 1997). 'Hub of anticipation: City Center expects a rebound'. Herald-News. Joliet: via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
2. ^Heneghan, Daniel (October 12, 1990). 'Harrah's plans riverboat casino near Chicago'. The Press of Atlantic City. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-21.(subscription required)
3. ^Susan Adler Thorp (March 4, 1992). 'Promus plans casino on boat near Chicago'. The Commercial Appeal. Memphis: via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-21.(subscription required)
4. ^Bierschenk, Ed (October 16, 1992). 'Another Joliet gambling venture given go-ahead'. The State Journal-Register. Springfield, IL: via NewsBank. Copley News Service. Retrieved 2012-05-21.(subscription required)
5. ^Hermann, Andrew (May 5, 1993). 'New gambling boat sets sail out of Joliet'. Chicago Sun-Times. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
6. ^Ver Berkmoes, Ryan (February 11, 1994). 'A player's guide to the new riverboats'. Chicago Sun-Times. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
7. ^Okon, Bob (November 7, 1999). 'New deal downtown: Harrah's betting upscale hotel will draw out-of-towners'. Herald-News. Joliet: via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
8. ^McDermott, Kevin (June 30, 1999). 'Illinois' new open boarding reportedly boosts crowds at casinos'. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
9. ^Grochowski, John (October 21, 2001). 'Harrah's barges into future'. Chicago Sun-Times. via NewsBank. Retrieved 2012-05-20.(subscription required)
10. ^'Vici Properties Inc., completes spin-off from Caesars Entertainment Operating Company' (Press release). Vici Properties. October 6, 2017 – via NewsBank.
11. ^Form 424B4: Prospectus (Report). Vici Properties. February 2, 2018. p. F-54 – via EDGAR.

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 41°31′37″N88°05′04″W / 41.527°N 88.084497°W

TYPES OF CASINOS IN ILLINOIS

Although all casinos in Illinois are classified as riverboats, some are actually land-based. Rivers in Des Plaines, Jumer’s in Rock Island, and the Casino Queen in East. St. Louis are all land-based casinos.

They all qualify as being riverboats because they are built over a shallow pit that is filled with a few inches of water. The other seven river boat casinos in Illinois are either on actual riverboats or docked barges, these casinos remained docked and do not set sail.

Shown below is a list of all casinos in Illinois. Click on a casino name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.

Harrah's Joliet Casino Reopening

Want to See a Map of all casinos in Illinois?

Visit our Illinois casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.

Illinois Casinos Details

Illinois was the second state to legalize river-boat gambling. Riverboat casinos began operating in Illinois in late 1991, with the launching of the first boat: The Alton Belle.

There are five casinos near the popular metropolitan city of Chicago, Illinois. Two of the casinos are closer to the center of the state, and three more casinos closer to southern Illinois. See our Chicago casinos section for more details, as well as details on some casinos located in Indiana that are just a short drive from Chicago.

All Illinois casinos are non-smoking, and for the most part, all offer video poker, blackjack, slots, roulette, craps, and three-card poker. Some casinos in Illinois also offer baccarat, mini-baccarat, poker, let it ride, Caribbean stud poker, Mississippi stud, Ultimate Texas hold‘em, pai gow poker, and four card poker. The minimum gambling age is 21, and Illinois gaming regulations do not allow casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages.

Illinois Sports Betting

There is legal sports betting in Illinois casinos. Be sure to check each individual casino’s listing page to see if it offers sports betting.

Slot Machine Payback Percentages at Illinois Casinos

By state law, Illinois casinos must release all payback percentages on electronic gaming machines to the public. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for all Illinois casinos.

Planning a visit to Illinois casinos?

For more information on visiting Illinois casinos, or general tourism information, contact the state’s Bureau of Tourism at (800) 226-6632 or www.enjoyillinois.com

Also, be sure to download the FREE American Casino Guide app for your Apple or Android, smartphone or tablet. The app has maps to let you know which casinos are near you anywhere in the U.S., detailed information on each of those casinos, turn-by-turn directions to all casinos, plus much more! For more details on the FREE app, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/casinos-near-me.html

Try an online casino for FREE! Use any of our great No Deposit Bonus Codes. No credit card needed, just sign up and start playing!

Save Money at the Casinos!

Want more information on all U.S. casinos? Then you need the most comprehensive and informative casino travel book on the market today! Published annually since 1992, the American Casino Guide Book contains details on all U.S. casino resorts, riverboats and Indian casinos. Plus it includes more than 150 casino coupons, offering you more than $1,000 in savings! For more information, or to buy the newest edition, just go to americancasinoguidebook.com/shop

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ILLINOIS

Illinois is located in the heartland of the United States. Throughout the state, you are going to find many places to visit, from exploring prehistoric Indian settlements to visiting the serene Anderson Japanese Gardens. Some of the best things to do in Illinois are listed below.

Harrah's Joliet

Enjoy breathtaking views of the state from a Skyscraper

You are going to enjoy spectacular views where you can see about 50 miles over four states and Lake Michigan just from the top of the Willis Tower Skydeck. The Skydeck is located 1,353 feet above the ground and it features The Ledge, which is a glass floor that extends outward from the side of the building. Be sure to check it out if you are searching for a more thrilling experience. Another great place you can go if you want to see the city from above is 360 Chicago which can be found in the John Hancock Building. You can try out the glass-walled observation deck or enjoy amazing views from the Tilt which is a glass enclosure that tips you out for a look down from 1,000 feet above street level.

The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.

Get educated at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Illinois is known as “The Land of Lincoln” and this museum in Springfield offers tourists the chance to learn more about the history of Abraham Lincoln and also Illinois history. The museum was officially opened in 2005 and its collections have been a work in progress for over a century. The 200,000 square foot complex includes an archive, library and a museum. It is the largest Presidential Library in the country and features presentations, galleries and interactive “you-are-there” experiences.

The closest casino to this attraction is Argosy Casino Alton.

The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.

Have fun at Millennium Park & Cloud Gate

Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre park that can be found in downtown Chicago, near Lake Michigan. Cloud Gate at the center of the park is a 110-ton polished steel sculpture, commonly referred to as The Bean. The highlight of the park is the Crown Fountain which is a unique modern interpretation of the ancient gargoyles that make use of the projected images of the Chicago citizens. Make sure you visit the Lurie Garden which is a four-season garden and is open to the public for free. The garden also hosts many special events throughout the year. The best thing about the park is that it is centrally located, and you can easily visit some of the top tourist attractions in Chicago from here.

The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.

Visit Lincoln Park

This Chicago park stretches for about six miles along the shore of Lake Michigan and it is the biggest park in the city. The highlight of the park is the Lincoln Park Zoo also known to be among the oldest of its kind in the country. The zoo houses many mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Some of the animals that you will find here are African lions, lemurs, red pandas, two-toed sloths, and polar bears. You should also make sure to visit the Lincoln Park Conservatory where you can discover exotic tropical plants in four huge greenhouses including ferns, orchids, and palms. Some of the other attractions at the park are the Chicago History Museum, a beach, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

The closest casino to this attraction is Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.

Go sightseeing at Dana-Thomas House

This house was built by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902 and represents one of his early, large scale Prairie-styled houses. It is well preserved and can be found in Springfield. This 35-room, 12,000-square-foot structure is now a museum and you can explore it by taking a guided tour. The highlight of the building is its original Wright art-glass doors and windows.

The closest casino to this attraction is Argosy Casino Alton.

The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.

Explore Starved Rock State Park

This park is located southwest of Chicago on the Illinois River and it is popularly known for its magnificent canyons and waterfalls. There are over 13 miles of hiking trails that you can explore to get to some of its more scenic areas. You can also go on a guided hike which is a great experience. The wilderness area offers numerous recreational opportunities including horseback riding, fishing and boating on the river, camping, picnicking, and winter sports.

Harrah's Joliet Casino And Closest Grocery Store To My Location

The closest casino to this attraction is Hollywood Casino – Aurora.

Harrah's Joliet Casino And Closest Grocery Store La Jolla Ca

The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Harrah’s Joliet.

How many casinos are in Illinois?

There are currently 10 casinos located in Arizona. • Argosy Casino Alton • Casino Queen • Grand Victoria Casino • Harrah’s Joliet • Harrah’s Metropolis • Hollywood Casino Aurora • Hollywood Casino Joliet • Jumer’s Casino & Hotel • Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino • Rivers Casino – Des Plaines

Harrah's Casino Joliet Careers

What is the gambling age in Illinois?