Rivers Casino To Pay At Least $15/Hour; Most Casinos In Illinois Are Hiring Now

Rush Street Gaming, the company that owns Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, plans to establish a minimum wage of $15 per hour for employees who do not receive tips.

The salary increase will impact over 100 employees at Rivers Des Plaines Casino, out of a total workforce of 1,350.

The CEO of Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming, Greg Carlin, declared:

We believe in providing a living wage not just as a recruitment tactic, but as a moral obligation. Our team members consistently show their dedication to our success, and offering a living wage is one way we express our gratitude for their hard work.

Rivers stated that full-time dealers typically earn an average of $55,000 in their first year, and employees who do not receive tips make over $15 per hour.

Corey Wise, the senior vice president and general manager of Rivers Casino Des Plaines, stated:

We take pride in being a highly sought-after employer in the casino gaming industry. Our company provides competitive salaries, attractive benefits, and a supportive work atmosphere that values diversity, equality, and inclusivity for all employees.

At Rush Street, employees can take advantage of a benefits package that includes health insurance, immediate 401(k) vesting, and tuition reimbursement.

Rivers Casino plans expansion

In February, Rivers Casino revealed intentions to undergo a $87 million expansion project.

The planned improvements include the expansion of a poker room, the addition of 725 new gaming spots, a restaurant, and a 10,000 square foot ballroom.

The expansion will be equivalent to 78,000 square feet in size.

Rivers submitted its expansion proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) for approval a few months ago. The IGB is currently reviewing the proposal and will make the final decision.

Wise’s comment on the possible expansion at that moment was as follows:

Rivers remains the top casino destination in Illinois, attracting the most visitors. To better serve our loyal patrons, we are expanding our services and offerings. We were pioneers in transitioning from floating to land-based casinos, increasing our gaming space. Introducing BetRivers, the state’s leading sportsbook, and the first mobile sports betting option for Illinois fans, further demonstrates our commitment to innovation. Upon completion, our casino will boast 2,000 gaming positions, making us the first in the state to offer this level of entertainment to our guests.

If approval is received, Rivers will probably be able to provide even more appealing job opportunities for potential employees.

Which Illinois casinos are hiring?

Many Illinois casinos are currently seeking new employees as the state gets ready to fully reopen in Phase 5.

Walk-in interviews will be conducted at the Human Resources building of Rivers Casino every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m.

Below is a comprehensive list of Illinois casinos that are currently looking to hire new employees. The list includes the specific job positions that are currently available at each location.

• Join the team at Argosy Casino Alton as a Table Games Dealer and receive a $500 sign-on bonus!
• There are several positions available at DraftKings at Casino Queen that offer a $300 sign-on bonus.
• Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus for certain positions.
• Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
• We are looking for an experienced Poker Dealer to join our team at Hollywood Casino Aurora. Earn a $3,000 sign-on bonus.
• Hollywood Casino Joliet is offering hiring bonuses that could total up to $4,000 in payments.
• Par-A-Dice Casino
• Rivers Casino

What’s the latest with Illinois casinos?

Last week, Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois declared that the state will enter Phase 5 on Friday, June 11, marking a complete reopening with the removal of all capacity restrictions.

This implies that the 10 casinos in Illinois may soon be able to operate at full capacity, with no restrictions on slots and table games. Currently, these casinos are only allowed to operate at 60% capacity.

Illinois casinos are now able to operate at full capacity for the first time since March 2020. During much of the pandemic, they were either closed entirely or limited to 25% or 50% capacity.

Rivers, the most popular casino in Illinois, is conveniently situated in Des Plaines, less than 30 minutes away from Chicago. With life gradually getting back to normal, it is expected that Rivers will see a rise in visitors.