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

Rush Street Gaming, owner of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, intends to set a minimum wage of $15 per hour for its non-tipped workers.

The adjustment immediately boosts the salaries of more than 100 team members at Rivers Des Plaines Casino, which has a total workforce of 1,350.

Greg Carlin, the CEO of Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming, stated:

“We view offering a living wage as more than just a recruitment strategy – it’s simply the right thing to do. Our team members demonstrate their commitment to our success every day. This is just another way we show our appreciation for their dedication.”

Rivers mentioned that dealers working full-time earn around $55,000 on average in their first year. He also added that employees who don’t receive tips make more than $15 per hour.

Rivers Casino Des Plaines’ senior vice president and general manager, Corey Wise, said:

We are proud to be a favoured employer in the casino gaming sector. We offer potential employees family-supportive wages, appealing benefits, and a work environment that encourages diversity, equality, and inclusivity.

Rush Street also offers a benefits package that encompasses health insurance, immediate 401(k) vesting, and reimbursement for tuition.

Rivers Casino plans expansion

In February, Rivers Casino announced plans for an expansion that would cost $87 million.

The proposed upgrades encompass a poker room, an addition of 725 new gaming spots, a restaurant, and a 10,000 square feet ballroom.

The expansion would amount to 78,000 square feet.

A few months ago, Rivers presented its expansion proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) for endorsement. Currently, the final decision lies with the IGB.

Here’s what Wise commented regarding the potential expansion at that time:

Rivers maintains its status as the most visited casino in Illinois. In continuing our commitment to our patrons, we are broadening our services to further earn their loyalty. We led the transition from floating to land-based casinos, expanding our gaming space. We were the first to introduce BetRivers, the state’s premier sportsbook, and the earliest mobile sports betting option for Illinois fans. Upon completion, our casino will be the first in the state to offer 2,000 gaming positions to our guests.

If approval is granted, Rivers will likely be able to offer even more attractive job opportunities to potential employees.

Which Illinois casinos are hiring?

Most casinos in Illinois are currently hiring as the state prepares to fully reopen in Phase 5.

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

Here is a detailed list of Illinois casinos currently hiring, including their available job positions:

• Table Games Dealer Position at Argosy Casino Alton (Includes $500 Sign-On Bonus)
• A $300 sign-on bonus comes with various positions at DraftKings at Casino Queen.
• Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin (Select roles come with a $2,000 sign-on bonus)
• Jumer’s Casino & Hotel
• Poker Dealer with experience needed at Hollywood Casino Aurora ($3,000 sign-on bonus)
• Hollywood Casino Joliet is providing potential hiring bonuses that could amount to as much as $4,000 in increments.
• Par-A-Dice Casino
• Rivers Casino

What’s the latest with Illinois casinos?

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced last week that the state would move to Phase 5 on Friday, June 11. This phase signifies a full reopening, as it eliminates all capacity restrictions.

This suggests that the 10 casinos in Illinois could return to full operations without any restrictions on slots and table games. At present, these casinos are only operating at 60% capacity.

For the first time since March 2020, Illinois casinos could function at full capacity. They were primarily either entirely closed or permitted to operate at only 25% or 50% capacity throughout much of the pandemic.

Located in Des Plaines, just a short drive of less than half an hour from Chicago, Rivers, the most frequented casino in Illinois, is anticipated to experience an increase in foot traffic as life slowly returns to normal.