Rivers Casino: Rivers Casino is a popular brand of land-based casinos in the United States, known for providing entertainment, gaming, and hospitality services in multiple states. While many people recognize the name, fewer are aware of who actually owns and operates these casinos.
This article provides a detailed and original breakdown of Rivers Casino’s ownership structure, corporate background, and current status in the U.S. gaming industry.
Ownership Overview
Rivers Casino properties are owned and operated by Rush Street Gaming, a private gaming company based in Chicago, Illinois. Rush Street Gaming was co-founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin—both seasoned entrepreneurs with deep ties to real estate and gaming.
🏢 Parent Company: Rush Street Gaming
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Rush Street Gaming, LLC |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Neil Bluhm, Greg Carlin |
| Type | Private (Not publicly traded) |
| Industry | Gaming and Hospitality |
| Website | www.rushstreetgaming.com |
Rush Street Gaming is responsible for the development and operation of Rivers Casino-branded properties across multiple states. The company is also involved in online gaming and sports betting through its digital arm, Rush Street Interactive (RSI)—which is a separately traded public company.
Key Figures Behind the Brand
1. Neil Bluhm
A billionaire investor and real estate mogul, Bluhm is a founding partner of Rush Street Gaming. He has been involved in numerous successful ventures including commercial real estate and finance.
- Net Worth (estimated): $5–6 billion
- Other Interests: JMB Realty, Walton Street Capital
- Known For: High-end developments, philanthropy
2. Greg Carlin
Co-founder and former CEO of Rush Street Gaming. Carlin played a crucial role in growing Rivers Casino’s footprint. He has a background in investment banking and gaming operations.
List of Rivers Casino Properties
There are currently four major Rivers Casino locations in the U.S., with a fifth project in development. Each casino operates under local regulations but is managed by Rush Street Gaming.
🏨 Rivers Casino Locations
| Location | State | Opened | Ownership Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 2009 | Rush Street Gaming | Located on the Ohio River |
| Des Plaines | Illinois | 2011 | Joint Venture* | Near Chicago O’Hare Airport |
| Schenectady | New York | 2017 | Rush Street Gaming | Part of a larger harbor redevelopment |
| Philadelphia (Fishtown) | Pennsylvania | 2012 (as SugarHouse), rebranded in 2020 | Rush Street Gaming | Rebranded to Rivers Casino Philadelphia |
| Portsmouth | Virginia | 2023 | Rush Street Gaming | Newest addition, part of VA casino rollout |
Note on Des Plaines Ownership:
The Des Plaines property is a joint venture between Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated, the latter holding a 61% stake as of the latest data. This makes it a shared ownership model compared to the other wholly owned casinos.
Online Expansion: Rush Street Interactive (RSI)
Though Rivers Casino is known for its physical properties, its digital presence is handled by Rush Street Interactive (RSI). RSI was spun off from Rush Street Gaming and went public in 2020 via a SPAC merger.
🌐 Rush Street Interactive Snapshot
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticker Symbol | RSI (NYSE) |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Public Since | 2020 |
| Products | BetRivers.com, PlaySugarHouse.com |
| Focus | Online casino, sports betting |
RSI operates in numerous regulated online gaming markets, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and others. Although it shares the Rivers brand in some areas (like BetRivers), it is a separate legal and financial entity.
How Does Ownership Affect the Brand?
The Rivers Casino brand remains consistent in terms of quality and experience, largely because Rush Street Gaming maintains a tight central control over operations, design, marketing, and compliance. However, local market conditions and partnership arrangements (like in Des Plaines) do introduce some variation in strategy.
Key Benefits of Central Ownership:
- Unified Branding
- Streamlined Compliance
- Shared Loyalty Programs
- Cross-market Promotions
Recent Developments & Future Projects
Rush Street Gaming and its subsidiaries have expressed interest in expanding both their brick-and-mortar and digital footprints. Some areas of growth include:
| Project/Location | Status | Expected Launch | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan, Illinois | Under development | TBD (delayed) | Rivers Casino |
| Online Expansion (Canada) | Active via RSI | Ongoing | Digital Gaming |
| Latin America (Online) | Early stages via RSI | Ongoing | Digital Gaming |
Controversies and Regulatory Issues
While Rivers Casino properties are generally well-regarded, they have occasionally been involved in:
- Regulatory reviews regarding license renewals
- Opposition from community groups concerned with gambling expansion
- Workforce and labor negotiations, particularly in larger cities
However, Rush Street Gaming has a relatively clean reputation in the industry compared to other operators.
Conclusion
The Rivers Casino brand is owned and managed by Rush Street Gaming, a Chicago-based private company co-founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin. Though most locations are fully owned by Rush Street, Des Plaines operates under a joint venture with Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Their expansion into online gaming through Rush Street Interactive shows a commitment to evolving with the industry while maintaining strong brick-and-mortar operations. With an eye toward new markets and innovation, the Rivers Casino brand is likely to remain a strong player in U.S. gaming for years to come.
