After the state of Indiana because the sixth to legalize river-boat gambling in June, 1993, the Argosy Casino in Lawrenceburg, not far from Cincinnati, Ohio, opened its doors on December 13, 1996, to gamblers who mostly came from the surrounding states of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Between 200,000 square feet of land development and over 74,000 square feet of space aboard the boat contain one hundred table games and a mesmerizing 2,200 slots, as well as five restaurants, a gift shop, an 1,800 car covered parking garage, and 300 hotel rooms. All of this is located twenty minutes from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, near two states where gambling is otherwise illegal.
Aboard ship only, gambling opportunities abound. Both high-rollers and everyday risk-takers are accompanied, often choosing to spend their time between the casino’s fifteen poker tables, blackjack, roulette, craps, or Caribbean stud. Among the two-thousand slot machines available to choose from, penny and nickel pay-outs give way to one hundred dollars per pull of the handle. Big pay-outs are common, with many carrying several month’s worth of pay home after only a few minutes or hours.
There are also five restaurants contained in the Argosy complex, called Bogart’s Grill, The Chartroom, Jonathan’s, The Passport Buffet, and the Riviera Cafe. Each features a different theme and selection of food, often indicated by the name: for instance, at the Riviera Cafe, coffeee, pastries, and muffins are served, while The Chartroom offers barbequed dishes, and Jonathan’s is a European-style bistro.
Many regulars visit the casino on a weekly or monthly basis, a vast number of whom are preferred club members. According to the casino, this reaps numerous benefits, including but not limited to “advance notice of special promotions,” “cash and hotel offers,” “complimentary dining certificates and valet parking,” and “gift shop discounts.” Another luxury service provided by the casino is the contracting of transportation from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, to the town of Lawrenceburg.
Located within a few hour’s drive of millions of Americans, the Argosy Casino & Hotel in Lawrenceburg offers a variety of entertainment and luxury at a reasonable price, in an area where such opportunities as gambling are often not available. Besides bringing hundreds or even thousands of jobs to an area where many were previously unemployed, the riverboat casino industry on the Ohio River makes a worthy vacation destination for many.
