Rivers Casino Philadelphia Review for May 2024

Way back in 2010, long before anyone had ever heard of Rivers Casino Philadelphia, I remember every local news station running stories on SugarHouse Casino’s debut.

The venue’s grand opening at the former Jack Frost Sugar Refinery—hence the name “SugarHouse”—was met with much fanfare due to being one of the first casinos to open in a major metro area outside Atlantic City or Las Vegas.

SugarHouse has since been rebranded as Rivers Casino Philadelphia and received some major upgrades. Open 24/7, Rivers Casino boasts more than 1,500 slots, 72 table games, a 28-table poker room, a 10,000-square-foot event space and, its crown jewel, the 5,700-square-foot BetRivers Sportsbook.

Guests can enjoy all that plus gorgeous riverfront views, multiple dining options, and live entertainment.

Wondering if Rivers Casino Philadelphia is worth a visit? Here’s my candid review of this Philly gaming hotspot.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is located along the Delaware River waterfront at 1001 North Delaware Avenue in the Fishtown neighbourhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its size and spaciousness offer a world of possibilities, making it a perfect destination for those seeking an exciting gaming experience. 

Rivers Casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On-site parking is free, which I appreciate since it’s pretty tough to find parking anywhere in Philly.  

While the casino is primarily smoke-free, the gaming floor has designated smoking areas. Thanks to Rivers' expansive size, I never felt impacted at all by smokers, which suggests it has found a very nice middle ground on what remains a divisive issue for casinos. 

There’s no shortage of thrills to be at Rivers Casino Philadelphia. The total complex covers 1.3-million-square-feet, so it is no small feat that, especially given `I visited on a Saturday, that the casino floor was always clean and tidy.  

Guests can grab some pub food and a pint and enjoy waterfront views at Jack’s Bar and Grill, which is just one of many on-site restaurants. Want something more romantic? I recommend Martorano’s Prime. It’s from South Philly native and celebrity chef Steve Martorano’s and serves authentic Italian-American recipes and succulent steak dishes.

Staff: I don’t recommend visiting Rivers Casino on the weekend. While it’s an awesome place to enjoy a drink and play the slots on a Tuesday evening, the place is packed on Saturdays. Trust me on this one. 

I went to Rivers on a Saturday night and the bar was five people deep. While the bartenders were still friendly, they were super busy and unable to answer any questions I had about the drink menu. The wait time was also pretty unbearable.

The table dealers were equally as busy, but Greg, my dealer at the craps table, was helpful and charming. I was equally impressed by the restrooms, which were immaculate despite the crowds.

Food: After a round of craps – spoiler alert: I didn’t win – my friend and I got a bite to eat at Jack’s Bar and Grill. We sat at the bar since the high-tops and tables were all full. The upside there was that the service was faster as a result. I ordered wings, and my friend had the fish of the day. We both enjoyed out meal.

Guests can also dine at Mian, which serves delicious Asian cuisine. Grab a slice at Martorano’s Sicilian Slice or a burger and shake at FLIPT.

Entertainment: Rivers Casino Philadelphia also has live entertainment from all kinds of performers, ranging from comedians to musicians and DJs. There is live music at one of its bars and restaurants every weekend, and you can also get tickets for comedy shows and bands at the Event Center. Be advised, though, that guests must be 21 and over to attend.

Accommodation: While it’s not a Las Vegas or Atlantic City style mega-resort, there is a very good option if you want to stay overnight. 

The luxurious Riversuites at The Battery Philadelphia is just a short stroll or free shuttle ride from the casino too. It’s a boutique hotel with 62 apartment-style suites in a historic 500,000-square-foot riverfront landmark, so can make for a lovely getaway. There is even a basketball court!

Accessibility: Rivers Casino Philadelphia is wheelchair accessible and has rental scooters. Guests can rent them for $10 for a minimum of four hours.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia has more than 1,500 slots, 24 hybrid seating games, 72 table games, a 5,700-square-foot sportsbook, and a 28-table poker room. In other words, you are not going to short on choice. 

I particularly enjoyed how many slot options there were to take for a spin. Rivers has old-school classics like 88 Fortunes, Lightning Link, and Super Charged 7’s. You can also try your luck at the new games such as Mighty Pyramid, Willy Wonka I Want It Now, Valley of the Riches, and Big Hot Flaming Pots. If you’re playing, you’re not paying either. Well, for drinks at least. Actively playing guests can enjoy complimentary drinks via a very consistent waitress service. If you want the best levels of service, though, tipping is advised. 

Not much of a slots player, you say? Don’t worry! Rivers Casino boasts plenty of table games. While I stuck to craps, you can also play blackjack, Spanish 21, three-card poker, roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, and Royal 9 baccarat, which has a progressive of up to $75,144.

Guests can grab a seat at one of Rivers’ 28 poker tables where you can enjoy complimentary drinks, tournaments, and promotions 24/7.

While you’re there, you really have to check out Rivers Casino’s expansive sportsbook. BetRivers Sportsbook is open daily and features club seating, electronic poker, 33 self-service betting kiosks, six betting windows, and a sprawling wall of HD TVs. Your eyes will love you forever. Place your bet on football, soccer, boxing, UFC, basketball, hockey, and more. It's certainly comparable to sportsbooks in the best new casinos.

Philadelphia Flyers fans, or supporters of whatever team they’re playing, will be especially interested to hear that you can enjoy $2 Michelob Ultra drafts on game nights. Sportsbook guests can also order premium cocktails and grub from Jack’s Bar and Grill Friday through Sunday.

I didn’t see much queuing at the kiosks and betting windows but if you worry about such things then there is another option. You can place your bets in advance online with Rivers’ Bet Slip Builder. Bet, browse, and select outcomes all from your smartphone.

While there are online casinos that payout fast, Rivers pays out immediately for everything except jackpots, which require just a little more admin. Being able to physically get your hands on your winnings is one advantage that gambling in person will always hold over even the best online casinos. 

Rivers Casino Philadelphia has a rotating menu of exciting promotions and bonuses. Every month you can win sweepstakes, dining deals, premium MSC Cruises, and trips to Atlantis Bahamas.

Rivers’ Rush Rewards Club gives members VIP access to exciting perks like dining credits, free slot plays (largely known as freeplay), and exclusive sweepstakes. The loyalty program consists of three tiers: Gold, Platinum, and Black. Tier scores determine tier status. 

Members can increase their score by playing slots, table games, or placing sportsbook wagers. Earn one point for every $5 placed on slots and $10 sportsbook bets. Video poker players will earn 0.5 points for every $5 spent.

The rewards can be substantial, although they are understandably top heavy towards the higher levels. Black Card members can get free valet parking and complimentary cruises and trips. Gold Card members can win deep discounts on valet parking and cruises. So the program does delivery actual benefits, although you may need to become a regular to get near them.

Rush Rewards points have no redemption value. However, every 100 points go towards $1 off food and drinks, and 200 points get you $1 in free slot plays. Members can check their points balance and tier score on the Rush Rewards kiosks, from the mobile app, or in real-time at any of Rivers’ slot machines.

There are another couple of regular promotions worth mentioning here too. Members ages 50 and older can participate in Rivers’ Young at Heart promotion for a chance to win up to $500 in free slot play. 

Meanwhile, veterans, national guard, military reserve, first responders, and actively enlisted men and women can get the exclusive Rivers Salutes Rush Rewards Card by visiting the Rush Rewards Players Club or cashier.

As I mentioned earlier, I visited Rivers Casino Philadelphia on a Saturday. The casino floor and bars were packed, and it took forever to get a drink. 

While my friend and I had to wait for seats to open up at the craps table, our dealer was friendly, chatty, and accommodating. Even though I didn’t win, I still enjoyed myself.

I’m not a fan of poker, so we didn’t play. However, I was curious to check out BetRivers Sportsbook since I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. And I’m glad I did! It was definitely noisy but every seat in the place was clean. The people I snuck a peek at all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The atmosphere was lively but, when I was there at least, not rowdy in any kind of a way that made me uncomfortable. During Flyers games it can be noisy but generally during the week it is a lot quieter. As is often the case with casinos, the atmosphere can be very different depending upon when you visit, but even when Rivers is quiet it has a degree of vibrance to it. 

⭐ Standout Moment

My favourite part of my trip to Rivers was dinner at Jack’s. The cosy atmosphere was a welcome escape from the crowds and noise. While not the best I’ve ever had, the wings I ordered were pretty dang tasty. 

I also really appreciated the riverfront views of the Delaware, as I rarely see them.

Rivers Casino is a gamers’ paradise any time of the week except Friday and Saturday nights. But if you can tolerate the noisy crowds, it’s a fun way to spend your evening.

I think Riversuites at The Battery Philadelphia is a great place for weekend visitors. The hotel is in Fishtown, which is one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. And, since they’re right on Delaware Avenue and a quick shot from I-95, guests won’t have any trouble leaving or sightseeing.

I arrived with curiosity and a degree of expectation, and my experience only really served to enhance my opinion of the place. That’s always a good sign.

The weekend crowd, especially the resulting bar service, was something I didn’t enjoy, though. Some will love it, as evidenced by the sheer number of people there, but if you’re the type who find crowds and hustle overwhelming, you might want to pick a quieter time to visit. 

🧭 How to Get There

If you’re heading to Rivers Casino Philadelphia from Interstate 95 North or the Walt Whitman Bridge, take Exit 23 and follow the directional signs. Drivers coming across the Betsy Ross Bridge and from Interstate 95 South, take Exit 23 and continue on North Delaware Avenue. From the Ben Franklin Bridge, take the 5^th Street Exit, turn right on Spring Garden, and then left on Delaware Avenue. If you’re traveling from Interstate 76, take Exit 44 toward Interstate 676 East and the Vine Street Expressway, turn right on North 6^th Street, left on Race Street, and then left on Delaware Avenue.

Rivers Casino is also accessible by Septa and other local transportation.

From out of town? Rivers Casino is blocks away from Philadelphia's must-see attractions, including the Reading Terminal Market, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Independence Hall, and other historical landmarks.