HomeCasino Queen

Casino Queen

Table of contents

Back in 1993, Casino Queen in Illinois began life as a riverboat casino. but opened up in its current location in 2007. The place is now known as DraftKings at Casino Queen, thanks to its partnership with DraftKings. Casino Queen Illinois just underwent an extensive renovation, which made it even more attractive to players.

You can visit this casino every day of the week, and apart from the casino and sportsbook, it also offers several dining options, as well as a hotel with a spa and a pool. Keep reading to find out more.

About Casino Queen in Illinois

When it was first launched in 1993, Casino Queen was a riverboat casino on the Mississippi in East St. Louis. Its license was one of ten granted by the Illinois Gaming Board, and the hope was that tax revenue generated by the casino would benefit the city.

In 2000, a 157-bed hotel was built near the riverboat, and it still stands today. Then, in 2007, as a result of changes in the state's gambling regulations, the casino moved to a land-based venue just inland from the riverboat's mooring. The riverboat itself, the White Star One, was eventually sold in 2014.

The move to a brick-and-mortar casino allowed for a massive expansion of the gaming space available. The founder of the casino, Bill Koman, eventually sold Casino Queen for $170 million in 2012 to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — an employee-owned management company. The ESOP went on to sell the land to Gaming and Leisure Properties. However, the ESOP leases the casino, and all profits go into the retirement accounts of participating employees,

In 2020, a deal was announced with DraftKings, a sports betting provider. Casino Queen Illinois then underwent a rebranding to DraftKings at Casino Queen. As part of this rebranding, the casino underwent a massive renovation adding a state-of-the-art sportsbook along with a new restaurant and food court.

Now, if you visit Casino Queen, you can gamble on casino games in Illinois, bet on sports, eat excellent food, visit the bar, and stay the night. The newly renovated site offers a lot of entertainment as well as relaxation to its visitors.

What types of betting does the Casino Queen offer?

There are plenty of casino games to play while visiting Casino Queen, or you can test your sports knowledge and wager on your favorite sport. Here are some of the types of betting you can enjoy at this casino:

  • Slots games: You will find nearly 1000 slots at Casino Queen, with new titles added regularly. There are slots where you can bet just a cent and high-stakes slot machines for the high rollers.
  • Table games: If you prefer to gamble on table games, there are almost 30 gaming tables available at Casino Queen Illinois. There are games suitable for beginners with low table limits, as well as high-stakes tables for the pros. Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat are classics that you can find at this casino.
  • Poker: Poker players will find video poker machines amongst the slots and poker tables with table games. The table limits vary from small amounts to large bets for everyone to find a game that suits them. Some available games include Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas, Hold'em.

Casino Queen and DraftKings partnership

The famous sports betting company DraftKings and Casino Queen in Illinois have teamed up. The partnership was forged in 2020, leading to the casino’s rebranding as DraftKings at Casino Queen. DraftKings is a company that offers legal sports betting in Illinois, and their website is legal in most states that have legalized sports betting.

Once this partnership was launched, it became possible to bet on both sports and fantasy sports while visiting Casino Queen. Gathering all games in the same place makes it easier for gamblers to play responsibly.

Is there sports betting at Casino Queen?

Yes, there is sports betting at Casino Queen, thanks to the partnership with DraftKings in 2020. A new state-of-the-art Illinois sportsbook and a food court were built in the heart of the casino. Bettors can now watch and wager on matches on large LED TVs and eat something good simultaneously. Some of the bet types you will find include futures, moneylines, point spreads, over/under, and prop bets. You can also combine bets into parlays.

Which sports can I bet on at Casino Queen?

If you want to bet on sports at Casino Queen, there are many different sports to choose from. There are plenty of betting markets available for each sport as well. Here are a few of the top sports to choose from:

  • Football — Americans love football, and of course, you can bet on it at this casino. All games from the NFL and CFL are available, as well as college football. There are many markets to choose from as well, and, of course, live betting.
  • Basketball –– Basketball is another sport you can bet on at Casino Queen. The NBA is the most popular league, and of course, there are several markets to choose from in these matches. Casino Queen also offers betting on college basketball.
  • Baseball –– If you want to bet on baseball, Casino Queen is the right place for you. There are several events available, and you can watch some matches on the large TVs at the site.
  • MMA –– Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a contact sport that is popular with bettors. You can bet on UFC matches and watch them to see whether your favorite fighter will be the winner.
  • Tennis –– If you love tennis, you can bet on any of the top tournaments, including the US Open, Wimbledon, the French Open, and more. There is always an excellent tennis match to wager your money on.

Casino Queen entertainment & cuisine

When gambling in Illinois at Casino Queen, it's easy to stay refreshed. Recent renovations have added a new Food Court, where you can take your pick from a number of excellent restaurants.

  • DraftKings Sportsbook Restaurant: This offers a complete service food and bar menu, with everything from nachos and burger sliders to pizza.
  • Bridgeway: A casual dining restaurant, it offers house-made dishes like Chicken Parmigiana, Seared Salmon, and Angus Striploin.
  • That Chick’n Place: This casual walk-up restaurant offers a range of chicken-based dishes. Choose between wings, sandwiches, salads, and fries, or take a bit of each. Do not forget to choose a sauce to dip the chicken in; there are lots to choose from.
  • QBAR: This is the go-to bar at Casino Queen. It offers beer, vodka, cognac, whiskey, and tequila. And you can always ask the bartender to fix something nice for you.
  • Special occasions: If you want to throw a party, have a wedding reception, or maybe a conference, then Casino Queen offers unique spaces such as the large ballroom. This can accommodate as many as 250 guests.
  • QC Rewards: When you become a QC member, you will be able to enjoy a range of benefits. You will collect points when you play casino games or place sports betting wagers. These can be redeemed at the casino. As a QC Rewards member, you will also receive regular offers, including exclusive invitations to specific events, as well as discounts and offers for meals and hotel stays.

Contact & opening hours

Address: 200 South Front Street, East St. Louis, Illinois 62201
Opening hours: Casino: 8.00 AM to 3.00 AM on Sundays to Thursdays, 8.00 AM to 5.00 AM on Fridays to Saturdays. Betting kiosks: 9 AM to 11 PM on Mondays to Fridays, 8 AM to 11 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Website: draftkingsatcasinoqueen.com
Phone number: (1) 800 777 0777

FAQ

Does Casino Queen Illinois have a hotel?

Yes, Casino Queen Illinois has its own 157-bed hotel. You can choose between five different luxurious room types, some with a jet spa tub offering even more relaxation. The hotel also features an indoor pool. There is also a conveniently situated parking lot on-site for those driving an RV.

Who is the owner of Casino Queen in Illinois?

Gaming and Leisure Properties currently own Casino Queen Illinois and its land. The Queen Casino and Entertainment Inc ESOP lease Casino Queen Illinois and are the management team responsible for running the site.

Is there free parking at the Casino Queen?

Yes, you can park your car for free when visiting Casino Queen Illinois. However, you should always use your own judgment when using free car parking to avoid theft, vandalism, or any incidents.