3 Best Joliet Illinois Casinos (April 2024)

The Prairie State is famous for being the home state of some of the most influential Presidents in US history. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama all resided in Illinois during their campaigns, and Ronald Reagan hailed from Illinois. Naturally, it is a historically significant and intriguing place to visit, and Chicago is the place to go. This city is famous for its sports teams and has fanbases that stretch across the whole of the US and the rest of the world. Who can forget the likes of the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks and of course, the Chicago Bulls. Football is also emerging as one of the most widely followed sports, and Chicago is home to two franchises, Chicago Fire and Chicago Sky.

But on this page, we will look at the best casinos in the neighbouring town of Joliet. Only a 45 minute drive from Chicago, Joliet has some of the finest gaming establishments in the state. Its historic Downtown, bicycle trails and activities for families are second to none. With some thrilling casino action and amazing amenities on offer, Joliet makes for the perfect weekend getaway.

1. Harrah's Casino Joliet

Harrah's Casino Joliet is located in the heart of Downtown Joliet. The casino hotel is run by Caesars Entertainment, which is one of the most prestigious gaming conglomerates in the US. The riverboat casino is right beside the Des Plaines River, between the Cass Steet Bridge and Jefferson Street Bridge. It is right in the heart of Joliet, with historic parks, theatres and museums all within walking distance. You can book rooms on the cheap at Harrah's Joliet, and there are over 200 rooms to pick from. While the venue is quite modest, there are still plenty of things to do. It has three restaurants: Cross Street Grill, The Reserve and The Slice Pizzeria and Pasta. None of the diners are too pricey, and at night you can hit the Sheer, for some cocktails and fun.

Casino Games

After you have explored Joliet, tucked into a great meal, and feel rested, you can try out Harrah's Joliet Casino. The casino measures 39,000 square feet and has over 800 slot machines. It is not too overcrowded, yet Harrah's Joliet Casino is brimming with life, especially around the slot aisles. You can spin your way to the big bucks on exhilarating games such as Treasure Ball, Dancing Drums or Cash Machine. If slots are not your thing, then you may be interested in the video poker titles. Harrah's Joliet has over 150 video poker machines, providing hugely popular titles such as Hot Roll Poker, All Star II and Ultimate X Bonus Steak Poker.

Table game buffs should prepare for a night of wild adventures. The Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Mini Baccarat on offer at Harrah's Joliet are all of top quality. Furthermore, there is a poker room, providing all sorts of classic American poker-style games.

2. Hollywood Casino Joliet

This casino hotel sits on Hollywood Boulevard in Joliet, right next to the Des Plaines River. A bit south of Downtown Joliet, the riverboat casino is an ideal place to spend a weekend. It has over 100 premier hotel rooms to pick from and an RV parking site. There are four restaurants at Hollywood Casino Joliet: the Final Cut Steakhouse, 99 Hops House, Take Two Deli and VIP Lounge. The immediate area is great for long walks and for some peace and quiet, but if you miss the hustle and bustle of the city, you can always head into Joliet. It is only about 10 minutes by car, heading straight up Hollywood Boulevard.

Casino Games

Hollywood Casino Joliet has a 50,000 square foot casino that is open 24/7. You can check in at any time, and try out over 1,100 slots and video poker machines. There is a great helping of penny slots, which cost you a few cents but can bring in some tremendous prizes. The casino has loads of popular titles, and if you have tried slots before, then you may be familiar with some of them. 88 Fortunes, Buffalo Grand, Lightning Link, Crazy Money Deluxe and Lock It Link are just a handful of the excellent games on offer. Table games are also part of the gaming extravaganza at Hollywood Casino. You can play some classic casino games such as Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. It does not matter if you are a beginner either, as the dealers will help you get to grips with the game.

Hollywood Casino also has a phenomenal sportsbook. It has outstanding sports coverage, with betting markets on all the major US sports and a number of niche sports. For example, you can bet on MMA fighting bouts, cricket test series, and even lacrosse games. There are also options to bet on college sports, so be sure to check the betting markets on March Madness or any NCAAF Football Bowl.

3. Penny's Casino

Win at Penny's (or Betty's) is a franchise that is owned by the Blackhawk Restaurant Group. It is basically a chain of slots and video poker “boutiques” or little arcades, that can be found across Illinois. There are plenty of Penny's Place locations all across Illinois, with the highest density in and around Chicago. Joliet has a Penny's Place that is located at 2419 W Jefferson Street. It is around 10 minutes by car from Downtown Joliet, and you will see it on your left-hand side as you head Westwards on W Jefferson Street.

Casino Games

We will not go out and call this directly a casino, as it is far smaller than the other establishments on our list. However, it does have a handful of gaming machines and serves some basic meals. If you want to play longer sessions and play for big jackpots, then you may find Penny's limited. It is more suitable for players who want to spend some change and 10 to 20 minutes spinning away on slot machines. With a quick black coffee and a toasted sandwich, you may be able to leave Penny's with a few extra pennies.