Chicago Enterprise THE BOX-CHECKER: Lakeside Center at McCormick Place. Little used even before the pandemic knocked conventions flat, it has the cavernous, dark floor space casinos covet, plus parking, hotels next door, a lakefront setting and it’s already built. Dec 02, 2020 Most casino and real estate developers who responded to the city’s solicitation for input on a Chicago casino agreed a downtown site is the best bet. By Mitchell Armentrout @mitchtrout Dec 2. Chicago, Illinois A new Chicago casino will be licensed soon as part of the recent gambling expansion program in Illinois. It will be the largest casino in the state with 4,000 gaming machines. You'll feel all real excitement at all your favorite table games – more than 100 of them – here at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana. Just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Guide to Chicago area Casinos.

If you limit your gambling many casinos have other low cost or free things to do and eat as well as people watching. It can still be a relatively inexpensive way to spend a day or evening particularly once winter is upon us.

To keep up with the latest news on deals, discounts and free events in Chicago, sign up for the daily Chicago on the Cheap newsletter. You can also follow us on Instagram,Twitter and Facebook.

No free drinks

Unlike Vegas (although that’s changing too), Illinois and Indiana gaming regulations do not allow casinos to provide free alcoholic beverages. They are sold at greatly reduced prices if you’re gambling (think: penny slots).

Hours

Unlike Vegas and Indiana, Illinois casino’s are required to close for two hours everyday. If you decide to pull an all-nighter you may have to leave the casino. I’ve seen people sit (or sleep) in their cars until the casino reopens. The minimum gambling age in Illinois and Indiana is 21. Getting there: Free Chicago area Casino Shuttles

Illinois Casino’s

Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL, (888)-307-0777.

This casino is land based near the Des Plaines River. It’s has a 43,687 square foot casino offering slots and table games, seven dining options and Live entertainment . Join Rush Rewards Players Club for discounts. Rush Rewards members will receive $10 Free Slot Play when you download the Rivers Casino app.

Harrah’s Joliet, 151 N. Joliet Street, Joliet, IL (815) 740-7800.

This casino is on a barge docked on the Des Plaines River. It has a 39,000 square foot casino offering slots and table games and three dining options. Join Total Rewards to get special member pricing at participating restaurants.

Hollywood Casino Aurora, 1 W New York St, Aurora, IL (630) 801-1234.

This casino is on a barge docked on the Fox River. It has a 41,384 square foot casino offering slots and table games and four dining options.

Grand Victoria Elgin, 250 South Grove Ave., Elgin, IL (847) 468-7000.

Chicago Area Casino

This casino is a boat on the Fox River. It has a 29,850 square foot casino offering slots and table games, four dining options. Join Club GVC players club to receive restaurant ofers.

Indiana Casino’s

Ameristar Casino Hotel, 777 Ameristar Boulevard, East Chicago, IN (866) 711-GAME.

Land based with a 53,492 square foot casino offering slots and table games, Seven dining options, No entertainment. Join My Choice Rewards for Restaurant Offers and Discounts and Hotel Discounts/Offers.

Horseshoe Casino Hammond, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, IN (866) 711-SHOE.

Horseshoe is a barge with a 108,000 square foot casino offering slots and table games, four dining options. Join Total Rewards to get special member pricing at participating restaurants.

Majestic Star Casino and Hotel I, One Buffington Harbor Drive, Gary, IN 46402 (888) 225-8259.

Both Majestic Casino’s are actually boats. There’s a pavilion in front where the six dining options are located. There is no live entertainment. Their players club is Majestic Rewards. Unfortunately there’s no way to get there from downtown Chicago unless you drive.

The Majestic I has a 40,720 square foot casino offering slots and table games.

Majestic Star Casino and Hotel II, One Buffington Harbor Drive Gary, IN 46402 (888) 225-8259.

The Majestic I has a 37,300 square foot casino offering slots and table games.

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360, (888) 879-7711.

The boat has 65,000 square foot casino offering slots and table games, six dining options, a 10,000 square foot spa. Sign up for emailed deals.

Save money with Casino Members Clubs/Players Cards:

While every gaming company’s program is different in order to earn benefits such as free rooms, meals, etc. you generally have to spend exponentially more money than it would cost you to purchase these things outright. The real value in the cards are any basic benefits they offer even is you barely gamble. Also they mail email and/or snail mail you offers. Lastly some programs offer discounts in their restaurants.

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CHICAGO (CBS) — Hard Rock wants to hire hundreds of people for their new Gary casino, set to open in the early spring, but with COVID hospitalizations on the rise, all bets are off on what a grand opening could look like.

CBS 2 Morning Insider Tim McNicholas took a tour of the work in progress.

Today it’s a construction zone. By spring 2021, it will be a $300 million casino, complete with restaurants and a concert venue.

“It’s incredibly important,” said Matt Schuffert, president of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. “There’s a lot of folks, like you said, that are looking for the opportunity to get back to work; and by building this facility, we’ve got a lot of opportunities for people to come and join and our team.”

A Casino For Chicago Illinois

Schuffert said this will be Gary’s only casino. The Majestic Star will close, and those employees will transfer to Hard Rock.

The company is also looking to hire about 800 new employees, from card dealing to human resources.

What will be in place to keep employees and gamers safe at the new casino?

“Well, it’s hard to speculate what march will look like, but today there’s slot machines are separated apart, there’s food and beverage social distancing, and a limit on the number of tables you can operate. A maximum for the number of people who can play at a table,” Schuffert said.

If it were finished and open today, they’d also require temperature checks for team members and masks for staff and guests.

Indiana casinos are still operating with restrictions as COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state are at an all-time high.

“It’s hard to speculate and say what the spring is going to look like, but obviously we’ll pay attention to whatever is going on from a pandemic, regulatory perspective,” Schuffert said.

While construction charges ahead, Hard Rock will host hiring events in Gary on Nov. 17 and Nov. 19.

A Casino For Chicago Downtown

“You don’t need to know anything about blackjack. What we really want you to know is how to have a great experience with the customer, great personality. We will definitely train for the rest,” said Dawn Reynolds-Pettit, vice president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

Hard Rock said they’ll have health restrictions at the hiring events, too; including capacity limits and COVID-19 screening questions.

Those November hiring events will be at Majestic Star Pavillion, specifically for prospective dealers. There will be more hiring events in January for human resources, finance, and other positions. For more information, visit the casino’s website.