ILLINOIS

Alton (population 34,200) is on the Mississippi River, 30 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri. It is steeped in history and boasts a rich architectural history with a mixture of Victorian, Federal and Greek Revival 19th century homes.

219 Piasa St., Alton, IL 62002.

Tel: (618) 474-750 (800) 336-7568.

Fax: (618) 474-7827.

Location: On the Mississippi River waterfront; just 35 minutes from downtown St.Louis; 25 miles from St.Louis Lambert Int'l Airport.

Clientele: Predominately Midwest Americans.

Casino: 19,313 sq.ft./ 1,795 sq.m.; 1,200 passenger capacity boat.

Games: 650 slots (250US$1) video poker, progressive jackpot's per boat; 35 tables (26 blackjack (US$5-500), 4 craps (US$5 - 500), 3 American roulette: 1 (US$5 - 500), 1 big six (US$5 - 500), 2 Caribbean stud (US$5 - 500)), Offtrack betting, free gaming lessons.

Open: 11 cruises daily 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm 11pm, lam, 3am.

Entrance Fee: Free.

ID / Passport: Proof of Age.

Minimum gaming age: 21.Dress casual to elegant.

Casino language: English.

Casino currency: US$.

Amenities: 3 restaurants, sport lounge, banquet rooms, gift shop.

Description: Sleek 1,200 passenger yacht style boat.

Affiliation: owner / operator Alton Riverboat Gambling Partnership, Argosy Gaming Co.

Aurora (population 81,300) is on the Fox River, 38 mi./ 60 km west of Chicago on Illinois Route 88.

1 New York, St., Aurora, IL 60506.

Tel: (708) 8017000, (800) 888-7777.

Fax: 708-801-7270.

Location: At Memorial Bridge on the Fox River 38 mi./ 6 km from downtown Chicago.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Americans.

City of Lights II: 11,000 sq.ft.

Gaming area, City of Lights II : 21,000 sq.ft.gaming area, 600 passenger capacity each boat.

Games: 950 slots & video poker, 60 tables (blackjack (US$5 - 2,500), craps (US$5 - 2,500), American roulette (US$5 - 2,500), mini-baccarat: (US$5 - 5,000), Caribbean stud poker).Poker room opens summer 1997.

Open: City Light I cruises 1Oam, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, 10pm, 12.30pm, 2.30am, 4.30am, City of Lights II cruises 8.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm, 5;30pm, 8.30pm, 11.30pm.

Entrance Fee: Free.

Minimum gaming age: 21.Casual dress.

Casino language: English.

Casino currency: US$.

Amenities: 4 restaurants, bars, theater entertainment, studio store, display of Hollywood Memorabilia, self or valet parking.

Description: Hollywood targets the premium gamblers with a 1950's art deco atmosphere, but there are many lower and mid-end players.

Affiliation: owner / operator Hollywood Casinos-Aurora, Inc.

East St. Louis (population 41,000) is on the Mississippi River across from St. Louis, Missouri.

200 South Front St., East St.Louis, IL 62201.

Tel: (618) 874-5000, (800) 777-0777.

Location: Near the foot of the Eads Bridge on the Mississippi River.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Americans.

Casino Queen Riverboat: 25,000 sq.ft./ 2,323 sq.m.

Games: 944 slots (US$0.25-25), 18 video keno (US$0.25 - varies); 62 tables (46 blackjack (US$5 - 2,000), 8 craps (US$5 -500), 4 American roulette (US$5 - 2,000), 2 mini-baccarat (US$5 - 1,000), 2 Caribbean stud poker (US$5 -100)).

Open: 11 cruises daily 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm, lam, 3am, 5am.

Entrance Fee: US$2.

ID / Passport: Proof of age.

Minimum gaming age: 21.Dress casual to elegant.

Casino language: English.

Casino currency: US$.

Amenities: Handicap access.Two Story visitors center with gift shop, bars, parking for 1,200 vehicles.

Description: A 446-foot long by 60 feet wide, 1,500 passenger paddlewheeler riverboat.

Affiliation: owner Archview Paddle Boat Co.a venture partnership (Charles Bidwill III, Michael Gaughan (Gold Coast Casino), Patrick Kenny, William Koman Sr., & Timothy Rand).

Elgin (population 77,000) is 40 miles / 64 km northwest of downtown Chicago.

250 S.Grove Ave., Elgin, IL 60120.

Tel: (708) 8881000.

Location: In Kane County on the Fox River, 41 miles N.W.of Chicago.

Clientele: Predominately Midwest Americans.

Riverboat Casino: 29,850 sq.ft./ 2,774 sq.m.; 1,2000 passenger capacity.

Games: slots, video poker, video keno; tables (blackjack, craps, American roulette, big six.

Open: 8 cruises daily 9am, 11.30am, 2pm, 4.30pm, 7pm, 10pm, 12.30am, 3 am, Sam (Fri./ Sat.only).

Entrance Fee: Free (but a reservation is required).

ID / Passport: Proof of age.

Minimum gaming age: 21.

Dress: Casual to elegant.

Casino language: English.

Casino currency: US$.

Amenities: 3 restaurants.

Description: A US$53 million riverboat project.

Affiliation: a joint venture of Hyatt Corp./ Circus Circus Inc.

Galena (population 3,900) is in the far northwest corner of Illinois not far from Dubuque and Clinton, Iowa.

19731 Highway 20 West, East Dubuque, IL 61025.

Tel: (815) 747-2455, (800) 745-8371.

Fax: (815) 7476332.

Location: On Lake Fentress, a backwater of the Mississippi River, 12 miles from historic Galena.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Tourists.

Riverboat Casino: 9,250 sq.ft./ 860 sq.m.

Games: slots & video poker; tables (blackjack, craps, American roulette).

Open: 6 cruises daily 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm, 12 am (Fri./ Sat.only).

Amenities: restaurants, bars, entertainment.

Description: A 205 ft.by 45 ft.1,000 passengers boat.

Affiliation: Jo Daviess Riverboat Corp., and Eagle Rock Resort.

Joliet (population 76,500) is in Will County, 35 mi./ 56 km southwest of the Chicago loop; connected to Chicago by Interstate Highways 55, 57 & 80.

2300 Empress Dr., Joliet, IL 60436.

Tel: (815) 7449400, (888) 4EMPRESS.

Fax: (815) 744-9455.

Location: On the Des Plaines River in Will County, six miles from downtown Joliet on Illinois Route 6.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Tourists.

Riverboat Casino: Empress 1 18,200 sq.ft., Empress II 27,100 sq.ft.

Games: 1,008 slots & 152 video poker (25?-US$25), Largest slot jackpot paid US$51,000; 56 tables (35 blackjack US$5-2,000), 6 craps (US$52,500), 4 American roulette "00" (US$1-1,000), 2 mini-baccarat (US$10-2,500), 5 Caribbean stud (US$5-100), 4 let it ride (US$5 min).

Open: 11 cruises daily Empress I - 8.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, 6.30pm, 8.30pm, 10.30pm, 12.45am 2.45am, 4.30am; 8 cruises daily Empress II - 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm, 9.30pm, 11.30pm, 1.30am.

Entrance Fee: Free.Proof of age.

Minimum gaming age: 21.

Dress: casual to elegant.

Casino language: English.

Casino currency: US$.

Tournaments: blackjack, craps, slots, video poker.

Amenities: 120 rooms & suites, indoor pool.Only snacks on board, Casa Blanca Cafe, Alexandria Club Restaurant, Marrakesh Market Food Court, Oasis Bar, Grand Ballroom entertainment.Hotel rates US$79.95 - 249.95.

Affiliation: Empress River Casino Corporation.

150 N.Scott St., Joliet, IL 60431.

Tel: (800) HARRAHS.

Fax: (815) 774-2612.

Location: Between Jefferson and Cass Street in downtown Joliet at a 220 feet boat basin on the Des Plaines River.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Tourists.

Harrah's Northern Star & Harrah's Southern Star Riverboat Casinos: 1,000 passenger 17,900 sq.ft./ 1,664 sq.m.Northern Star, 750 passenger 13,440sq.ft./ 1,249 sq.m.Southern Star.

Games: 497 slots (N.Star), 296 slots (S.

Star); tables: 25 (N.Star), 23 (S.Star) (blackjack, craps, American roulette "00", mini-baccarat), Amenities; Pavilion: restaurant, deli, ice cream / coffee shop, retail shop, parking for 750 vehicles.

On board: food, lounge, entertainment.

Description: A US$59 million project which includes the sleek mega-yacht Northern Star and the turn of the century paddle wheeler Southern Star.

Affiliation: owner / operator Harrah's Entertainment.

Metropolis (population 7,000) is in southern Illinois on the Ohio River, 11 miles / 16 km from Paducah, Kentucky.It is the legendary home of Superman.

207 S.Ferry St.Metropolis, IL 62960.

Tel: (618) 5242628.(800) 929-5905.

Fax: (618) 524-9150.

Location: Merv Griffin's Landing on the Ohio River in downtown Metropolis at Ferry & Front Streets.

Clientele: Midwest tourists.

Riverboat Casino: 25,600 sq.ft./ 2,378 sq.m.

Games: 672 slots & 69 video poker (5?-US$5, progressive) Largest jackpot paid US$ 140,000, 5 video keno (US$0.

25), 42 tables (29 blackjack: (US$5 - 500), 5 craps (US$5 - 500), 4 American roulette "00" (US$5 - 500), 1 big six: (US$1), 4 Caribbean stud).

Open: 8 cruises daily 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm; lam (Fri./ Sat.only).

Entrance fee: Free.ID / Passport not required, Minimum gaming age 21, Casual dress.

Casino language: English, Casino currency: US$.Private gaming area, Free blackjack gaming lessons on 9am cruise, Sponsored slot tournaments.

Amenities: 120 room Players Riverfront Hotel, 3 restaurants.3 bars, entertainment, parking.

Credit Cards:.AE / MC / VISA.

Rates: US$69 - 120.

Description: A 210 ft.by 60 ft., 1,300 capacity riverboat, with hotel, restaurants, etc.

Affiliation: owner Players International (Southern Illinois Riverboat / Casino Cruises, Inc.).

Peoria (population 124,200) is on the Illinois River, 98 miles / 157 km from the Quad cities in central Illinois on Interstate Highway 74.

21 Blackjack Blvd., East Peoria, IL 61611-1742.

Tel: (309) 698-7711 or (800) 547-0711.

Fax: (309) 698-7705.

Location: On the East Bank of the Illinois River waterfront.

Clientele: Predominantly Midwest Tourists.

Riverboat Casino: 27,000 sq.ft./ 2,509 sq.m.on 4 levels.

Games: 1,009 slots & 130 video poker (50-US$100), Largest slot jackpot paid US$479,000; 43 tables (29 blackjack & multi-action blackjack, 4 craps, 3 American roulette "00", 2 big six, 5 Caribbean stud), (limits discretion of casino), Open: 10 cruises daily - 9am,11 am, 1 pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm,11 pm, 1 am, 3am.

Entrance fee: US$4 - 7, parking US$2.ID / Passport not required, Minimum gaming age 21, Casual dress.

Casino language: English, Casino currency: US$.Sponsored tournaments.

Amenities: on board bars, lounges, 154 room Hampton Inn, Buffet, Boulevard Grille.

Flapper's Bar, Rates: US$67-275.

Description: A 1,600 passengers modern boat.Par-A-Dice landing is a 27 acre track on the east bank of the Illinois River.

Affiliation: owner / operator Boyd Gaming Corp.

Rock Island (population 45,500) is in northwestern Illinois on the Mississippi River in the Quad cities area of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois.

Foot of 18th St., PO Box 7777, Rock Island, IL 61201.

Tel: (309) 793-4200 or (800) 477-7747.

Fax: (309) 793-4206.

Location: At the Boat Works, On the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island.

Riverboat Casino: 8,700 sq.ft./ 809 sq.m.

Games: 393 slots & 165 video poker (250-US$1), 4 video keno, 24 tables (17 blackjack (US$2-1,000), 4 craps (US$1-1,000), 3 Caribbean stud).

Open: 8 cruises daily 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, 11pm; lam (Fri./ Sat.only).

Amenities: 210 rooms & 100 suites Jumer's Castle Lodge, restaurant, bar / lounge, pool, sauna, conference center.

Description: The Casino Rock Island is a 189 ft.900 passengers turn-of-the-century casino riverboat.Its three enclosed decks house two casinos areas, a restaurant, several bars and an entertainment lounge.

Affiliation: owner / operator Jumer's Hotels, Ltd.(D.James Jumer).