The Rivers Casino in Des Plaines plans to open to the public Monday, July 18, once the Illinois Gaming Board gives final approval early next month, casino officials said Monday.

The 147,000-square-foot Rivers Casino, 3000 S. Des Plaines River Road, is situated on roughly 20 acres at the northwest corner of River Road and Devon Avenue, off the Tri-State Tollway. It includes 2,300 self-parking spaces and valet parking.

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On April 18, 2008, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 jolted the southeastern area of the state, with its epicenter located near Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Barak Hussein Obama became the first African-American elected to the Presidency. Possible Online Casinos Illinois Operators. Illinois is the sixth largest state in the United States. So, when it does legalize the operation of online casinos, many casino operators will be eager to break into the market. And, you can bet you will see many of the same online casino operators that have popped up in other states.

The Illinois riverboat casino industry contributes greatly to Illinois' economic health and prosperity. Since 1990, the riverboat casinos have generated over $11 billion in tax revenues for the state and local communities. In 2018 alone, the State of Illinois and local communities realized nearly $462. Illinois Riverboat Casinos. In February 1990 Illinois became the second state in the nation to legalize riverboat gambling when the state legislature enacted the Riverboat Gambling Act authorizing the Illinois Gaming Board to issue up to ten casino licenses. You must be 21 years of age to enter the gambling areas of an Illinois casino.

The casino also will offer shuttle service from O'Hare International and Midway airports, McCormick Place and select hotels throughout downtown Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

The 44,000-square-foot gambling floor will initially house about 1,050 gambling positions and the casino will offer a variety of dining options, including Hugo's Frog Bar and Chop House, MianBar Asian noodle shop, FLIPT casual grill, a buffet, cafe and pastry shop, and a cocktail lounge.

Rivers Casino also is the first casino in the nation to apply for Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification for its green design, materials and practices, officials said.

'We are excited to open the doors to the Rivers Casino. It is a showplace attraction for the entire region,' Neil Bluhm, chairman of casino developer Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, said in a news release. 'We have considered every detail with our customers in mind.'

The gambling floor includes 48 table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, pai gow poker, and baccarat, with the highest table limits in the state.

The casino features a plush VIP area with an intimate gambling salon and an exclusive lounge, and a multilevel outdoor patio that will serve as a sports bar, a live performance venue and a nightclub.

'Rivers will raise the bar for gaming and entertainment in the Midwest,' Greg Carlin, Rivers Casino CEO, said in a news release. 'We have created a unique and exciting experience that will appeal to enthusiastic gamers, entertainment seekers, tourists and conventioneers.'

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One hundred people picked through a lottery drawing will get exclusive access to the casino ahead of its opening to the public at a grand opening event on Sunday, July 17. Winners will be given the red-carpet treatment with food, entertainment, and celebrity guests, a casino publicity spokeswoman said.

Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts band will be among the entertainers during the event.

Visitors to the casino must be at least 21 years old. The lottery is not open to any participant of the Illinois Gaming Board Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. Guests will be able to gamble live during the event. For details about the lottery, visit playrivers.com.

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Customers who join the casino's loyalty program -- the Rush Rewards Players Club -- will receive invitations to promotions, special events, discounts, and priority lines. Guests can sign up in advance at playrivers.com

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Updates on the casino are at facebook.com/winatrivers or on Twitter at @winatrivers.