Ameristar Casino East Chicago
4.0(6.7K)google
2.9(154)yelp
ResortLuxuryNight-FriendlyLocal Life
Overview
Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago (formerly Showboat Mardi Gras Casino, Harrah's East Chicago, and Resorts East Chicago) is a riverboat casino in East Chicago, Indiana, docked at Indiana Harbor on Lake Michigan. It is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment. The property features a 56,000-square-foot casino that offers 1,900 slot machines including reels, video reels and video poker; more than 40 table games; a high limit gaming room that is on land adjacent to the riverboat; and a 288-room hotel.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-8 hours
Best TimeYear-round accessibility makes this a fully indoor destination. For the liveliest atmosphere, high-energy gaming tables, and live entertainment, visit on Friday or Saturday nights between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. If you prefer a quieter gambling environment, opt for weekday mornings from Monday to Thursday.
Getting ThereSituated on the East Chicago lakefront. Drive via the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), taking the exit for IN-912 N/Cline Ave and following the prominent casino signage to the multi-level free self-parking garage. From downtown Chicago, take the South Shore Line commuter train to East Chicago Station, where you can hop on the casino's complimentary shuttle.
Travel Tips
- State gaming laws mandate an absolute minimum age of 21; entry requires a valid unexpired physical passport or US driver's license, digital copies denied.
- The parking garage restricts complimentary access to tiered loyalty members during major stadium events, routing general guests to remote uncovered lots.
- The parking garage has a strict 7-foot height clearance limit; oversized vehicles or RVs must utilize the designated open-air oversized surface lot.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Aiming phone cameras or recording devices at gaming tables, slots, or security infrastructure triggers asset seizure, data wiping, and a lifetime ban.
- Indiana gaming regulations strictly prohibit holding active mobile phones, filming, or taking photos near tables, slots, or cashier cages.
Reviews
Positive
- This ship-based casino on Lake Michigan is massive, with dazzling interiors and an immense variety of slots and table games, delivering full entertainment value.
- The staff attitudes are highly professional; dealers and restaurant servers are polite, and tight security patrols provide peace of mind and great order.
- The attached hotel rooms are spacious, clean, and offer lake views; the indoor buffet and steakhouse are high quality and worth the money for a weekend.
- Transportation is convenient, close to the Chicago metro area with a huge, multi-level free indoor parking garage so drivers don't worry about weather.
Heads up
- Cigarette smoke from the smoking sections diffuses heavily; despite ventilation, non-smoking areas still smell of second-hand smoke, annoying non-smokers.
- During peak weekend hours, low-limit table games draw long lines where service order gets chaotic, mixed with the droning roar of loud electronic music.
- Internal costs like drinks and non-member dining are highly priced; if you have bad luck at the tables and get a steep bill, the value feel plummets.
- Accessibility signs are not prominent across the maze-like carpeted paths; guests in wheelchairs or elders struggle a bit to find elevators and restrooms.