Photo Gallery: Rivers Casino Community Event

Rivers Casino opened its doors for the first time Friday night to a list of VIPs and group of residents that registered a month in advance to attend the private party.

Dozens of sample treats from restaurants in the casino were distributed amongst the crowd of political dignitaries, members of the Illinois Gaming Board, representatives of Midwest Gaming, employees of construction companies that worked on the project, business leaders and residents.

Small groups gathered at tables to gamble and others pulled up chairs in front of flashy new slot machines to try their luck.

Albert Liu, vice president of marketing at Rivers Casino, said they built the facility for universal appeal. He said one of the special features of the casino was the Lotus cocktail lounge, located in the center of the gaming floor.

“You can really step away from the gaming floor, but your never away from all the excitement,” Liu said. “As you look around you’ve got 360 degrees of these concentric circles of table games and slots, and then you’ve got these outlets on the side.”

Those outlets – restaurants, bars, and lounges – are another aspect that makes customers’ experience at Rivers Casino distinct, Liu said. There’s Canopy Buffet, FLIPT burger bar, MianBar, a coffee bar and Hugo’s Frog Bar and Chop House, where Liu recommended the filet burgers.

There’s also a High Limit Lounge, a separate gambling space and exclusive lounge. The slot machines cost more to play and there is a high stakes table area. The lounge part of the High Limit Lounge is for “high-end customers,” casino officials said. While some entered the lounge with an “All-Access Pass” officials said the requirements for admission were “not specific.”

Mayor Martin Moylan said the casino was a first-class operation. He said it was evident they spared no expense, and he was proud of the result.

“We have to talk about something else here too; they created 1,200 jobs in this economy, much needed jobs,” Mayor Moylan said.

Liu said the most unique aspect of Rivers Casino was its location, being one of the most accessible Chicago area casinos. A year from now Liu said he hopes Rivers Casino will have earned the reputation as being the premiere Chicago area casino and entertainment destination.

Gebert Dagny has lived in Des Plaines for 53 years. She attended Friday because she wanted to see what was going on right down the street from her home. When Dagny first moved to Des Plaines from Chicago with her young family part of the area was farmland.

“I can’t believe there’s a casino here now,” Dagny said. “I came because I’m curious and I’m excited because I think it’s going to help Des Plaines.”