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Ameristar Casino East Chicago

Ameristar East Chicago is a riverboat gambling venue and hotel located in the East Chicago area of Indiana. The riverboat is moored in Indiana Harbor on Lake Michigan and connected to the rest of the property located on Aldis Avenue.

Initially opening on April 18, 1997, the facility is under the ownership of Gaming and Leisure Properties. Penn Entertainment handles operations.

The casino at Ameristar East Chicago takes up 56,000 square feet on four levels and includes over 1,700 slot machines, 19 baccarat tables, 45 table games, and a Barstool Sportsbook.

In addition, the venue features a 288-room hotel and five bars and restaurants. It also has a 5,400-square-foot convention center for special events, meetings, and weddings.

The casino is open 24/7 to patrons 21 or older.

Ameristar East Chicago details

  • Name: Ameristar East Chicago
  • Address: 777 Aldis Ave., East Chicago, IN 46312
  • Phone number: 219-378-3000
  • Hours of operation: 24/7
  • Available games: 1,700-plus slots, 45 table games, 19-table baccarat room, Barstool Sportsbook

Ameristar Casino East Chicago gaming specs

Ameristar East ChicagoDetails
SlotsMore than 1,700
Blackjack21+3 Blackjack, Top 3 Blackjack, Blazing 7s Blackjack Progressive, electronic blackjack
Poker TablesNo
Online CasinoNo
SportsbookBarstool Sportsbook
KenoNo
Free PlayYes, for slots and table games
Comp ProgramYes, Penn National's mychoice
SmokingYes
RestaurantsBurger Brothers, Noodle Bar, Bugatti's Steakhouse, Club 38
BarsBarstool Sportsbook Bar
Hotel288 rooms

Ameristar East Chicago slot machines

The 56,000-square-foot, four-level Ameristar East Chicago Casino houses more than 1,700 slot and video poker machines. The selection includes both penny slots and $100 machines.

The games come from notable slot developers, such as Light & Wonder and Aristocrat Gaming. Here are some of the top real money slots at Ameristar East Chicago:

  • Lightning Link — This is one of the most popular series of games from Aristocrat. It includes 16 themes, all connected via one progressive jackpot. The grand prize can reach mind-blowing amounts, and players stand the chance of winning it no matter their bet level.
  • Wonder 4 Tower — The slot game cabinet of Wonder 4 Tower features four games: Buffalo, Pompeii, Five Dragons, and Wicked Winnings II. Patrons can play all four games simultaneously. One of the most distinctive features is the Reel Power system, creating from 243 to 1,024 ways to win.
  • 88 Fortunes — This Light & Wonder slot is one of the most well-known East Asian-themed titles in land-based casinos. It comes with mesmerizing visuals, 243 ways to win, 10 free spins, and four progressive jackpot prizes.
  • Buffalo Gold — This five-reel, 1,024-ways-to-win title is one of Aristocrat’s most iconic slots. The wildlife-themed game offers a 300x coins jackpot, free spins, and a maximum potential payout of 405,000 coins.
  • Tarzan — This title comes from Aristocrat and capitalizes on a popular jungle theme. It’s equipped with fantastic sounds, visuals, bonus features, and free spins. On top of that, it features a progressive jackpot with a grand prize that can reach $250,000.

Ameristar East Chicago table games

Table game fans can choose from roughly 45 felts at Ameristar East Chicago. The casino also features a high-limit area where you can place bets of up to $10,000 on roulette, craps, and blackjack. The high-limit area also offers $25,000 baccarat games.

Let’s take a look at the types of table games you can play at this popular Indiana casino:

  • High Card Flush
  • Baccarat
  • EZ Baccarat
  • Roulette
  • Blackjack
  • Blazing 7s Blackjack Progressive
  • Craps
  • Craps No More
  • Mississippi Stud

What’s more, Ameristar East Chicago also offers a baccarat room with bets ranging from $10 to $25,000. Options include games like no-commission EZ Baccarat with Panda 8 and Dragon 7 side bets and games with the dragon bonus side bet. Additionally, some games also feature progressive jackpots.

For patrons who prefer electronic table games, the casino offers video, live, and fully automated table games on 18 interconnected play stations. Bets start as low as $5, and the selection includes the following games:

  • Automated craps
  • Video baccarat with side bets
  • Automated roulette with side bets
  • Live multi-hand blackjack with side bets
  • Video multi-hand blackjack with side bets

Does Ameristar East Chicago offer a poker room?

No, the casino doesn’t currently have a poker room.

Does Ameristar East Chicago offer an online casino?

No. Online casinos are not legal in Indiana. However, Penn Entertainment operates its own social gaming platform called mychoice casino.

Whether you choose to use the Penn app or one of the other social casinos or sweeps coins casinos available, you have options for online casino games. So, be sure to check them out for free chances to win cash prizes.

Does Ameristar East Chicago offer a sportsbook?

Yes, a full-service Barstool Sportsbook opened in 2019 at Ameristar East Chicago and is located inside the pavilion.

The book has 23 betting kiosks open 24/7 and several betting terminals with limited hours. Bettors can also take a break at the Barstool Sportsbook Bar and Restaurant. The sportsbook at Ameristar East Chicago also features a video wall for viewing games.

Thanks to the online bet builder available via the casino’s website, patrons can build their own bets before coming to the venue. There is also a Barstool Sportsbook app operating in Indiana. Bettors must be at least 21 years old to place bets at both the land-based venue and online betting site.

Ameristar East Chicago rewards program

Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago is part of the mychoice rewards program, also available at other Penn Entertainment venues. The program consists of five levels that you can climb by collecting points for dining, shopping, and gambling at participating locations. Here’s the structure:

  • Choice: 0-999 points
  • Advantage: 1,000-17,999 points
  • Preferred: 18,000-49,999 points
  • Elite: 50,000-199,999 points
  • Owners Club: 200,000+ points

These loyalty levels offer various benefits, increasing in value as you move up the ranks. Some include restaurant and retail discounts, priority valet service, lounge access, Norwegian Cruise Line discounts, annual sailing, priority slot service, and VIP seating for entertainment events.

The rewards program also offers a myheroes loyalty card to first responders, veterans, active-duty military members, and a companion. Cardholders can claim hotel, shopping, and dining discounts, promotions, and an annual loyalty level upgrade to Advantage, to list a few benefits.

How do you earn points at Ameristar East Chicago?

Members of the mychoice rewards program can earn two types of points at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago— tier points and comp or mycash points.

Tier points determine members’ levels, providing access to better rewards as they reach new tiers. Mycash points don’t impact the loyalty level, but members can exchange them for free play and discounts.

Members can earn tier points by playing slots, video poker, table games and electronic table games, betting on sports and horse racing, and purchasing credits at the mychoice online social casino. They can also accrue these points for their dining and shopping activities and for playing casino games at Barstool Casino and Hollywood Casino in other states. Mycash points are available for the same activities.

Can you get free play at Ameristar East Chicago?

Yes, Ameristar East Chicago patrons can receive free play by redeeming mycash. Members can exchange $1 in mycash for $1 in free slot play or $1 in table game play.

Ameristar East Chicago history and current owners

Ameristar East Chicago opened on April 18, 1997, under the name Showboat Mardi Gras Casino. The venue then changed hands several times over the years, leading to subsequent name changes.

Harrah’s Entertainment bought the casino in 1998 and rebranded it to Harrah’s East Chicago. After Resorts International Holdings acquired the property from Harrah’s, it renamed it Resorts East Chicago.

Ameristar Casinos bought the venue and renamed it accordingly in 2007. In 2013, Pinnacle Entertainment acquired Ameristar Casinos. Pinnacle Entertainment then sold the property to Gaming and Leisure Properties in 2016. The new owner kept the name and leased the venue back to Pinnacle.

The most recent management change happened in October 2018, when Penn Entertainment acquired Pinnacle Entertainment and took over the casino and hotel operations.

FAQs

Gaming and Leisure Properties owns Ameristar East Chicago, and Penn Entertainment handles operations.

The casino doesn’t offer free drinks on the casino floor, but mychoice VIP members can get complimentary drinks at Club 38.

Guests must be at least 21 years old to play games and place bets at Ameristar East Chicago.

Yes, the venue allows smoking on the casino’s floor and in some hotel rooms.

In addition to the casino and sportsbook, the venue also features a hotel with 288 rooms, several bars and restaurants, and a 5,400-square-foot convention center.

No, the casino doesn’t offer bingo at the moment.

Ameristar East Chicago is not owned by a Native American tribe. Showboat Inc. established the venue, and its current owner is Gaming and Leisure Properties.