August marks Rivers Casino Pittsburgh's 15th anniversary. The resort, which is owned and operated by Rush Street Gaming of Chicago, just completed a $6.6 million renovation in preparation for its quincentennial celebration.  

The $6.6 million budget was mostly utilized to upgrade and enlarge the casino's ballrooms, with an emphasis on events.

The project featured the construction of a 7,044-square-foot, second-floor event space named the Bridges Ballroom, which offers views of the Ohio River. The indoor-outdoor area offers expansive river views from its balcony. Divided into three smaller, rentable rooms, Bridges' total area is 4,036 square feet, the largest of which is the 1,151-square-foot Fort Pitt Room.

In addition, Rivers created four private conference rooms. The breakout areas provide a variety of layouts for executives and boards.

"With the [city’s professional sports] stadiums and other nearby attractions on the North Shore — not to mention our own full-service gaming floor, BetRivers Sportsbook, and The Landing Hotel — our events calendar fills up quickly,” Bud Green, general manager of Rivers Pittsburgh, said in a statement. “We’re happy to provide new spaces and more dates for hosting conferences, weddings, and special events.”

The 25,000 square foot Event Center, the casino's main area, was also renovated. Theresa Caputo, star of "Long Island Medium," Boyz II Men, and K.C. & The Sunshine Band are just a few of the acts that have sold out the music hall.

 

Player Features

Rivers Casino Pittsburgh improved and upgraded its event capabilities in addition to adding facilities for players. Rivers constructed a special lounge for its VIPs in addition to a full-service Starbucks Coffee right inside the casino's main entrance.

The Black Card Room is promoted as the casino's "ultra-exclusive" haven for players who have reached the top tier of the Rush Rewards Players Club loyalty program. By the end of 2023, the Black Card Room was operational.

In the Rush Rewards program, a customer needs to accrue at least 25,000 tier points within a six-month period in order to be eligible for a Black Card. For every $5 wagered on slots and every $10 wagered on sports, reward players get one tier point. Points are awarded for length of play and average wager in table games other than poker. For every $5 wagered in video poker, players receive a half point.

One hundred points is worth one free meal or drink. You can exchange 200 points for $1 to play free slots.

Black Card holders get free check cashing, free priority valet parking, free slot holds upon request, and four gratis nights at Rio Las Vegas every year in addition to free stays at Atlantis in the Bahamas.

 

Market Share of Rivers

The gross gaming revenue (GGR) from Pennsylvania's 17 land-based commercial casinos' slot and table games was $3.435 billion in the previous year.

Rivers Pittsburgh came in third place in the state after winning $267.3 million on their slots. In order to finish fifth, the casino retained $87.2 million in player wagers.

In 2023, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh held a larger than 10% market share in the Pennsylvania casino industry, with a total gross gaming revenue of over $354.5 million.