Rush Casino Schenectady
Konami’s first systems installation with Rush Street Gaming began at the debut of their first property, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh in 2009. Since then, expansions to SugarHouse Casino, Rivers Casino Des Plaines, and now Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady, have fueled new benefits and features to staff and customers alike.
- Rivers Casino & Resort - one of Schenectady's top attractions - opened in 2017 and is part of the mixed-use Mohawk Harbor project. Rivers Casino & Resort is operated by Rush Street Gaming, the same group that operates award-winning casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Des Plaines, IL.
- Take Erie Blvd for approximately 1 mile to Rush Street. Rivers Casino will be on your left at the traffic circle. From Kingston, NY and points south I-87 N / NY State Thruway to Exit 25 for I-890 W.
- Proudly serving a selection of favorite pastries and cookies that Villa Italia is known for.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady overview
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady became the third of four new commercial casino properties to begin operating in the State of New York when it opened its doors on February 8, 2017.
New York voters supported a constitutional amendment in 2013 authorizing the issue of a three new commercial gaming licenses. A year later, licenses were granted to:
- Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady
- the del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo; and
- the Montreign Resort and Casino in the Catskills
The Tioga Downs Racino successfully campaigned to re-open the bidding process and was ultimately granted a fourth commercial gaming license later that year. The New Tioga Downs Casino was the first to open up in December 2016. The del Lago Resort & Casino was next, opening its doors on February 1, 2017. Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady opened up a week later. The Montreign Resort and Casino has plans to begin operating in the Spring of 2018.
Built at Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, New York, Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is a big part of a $480 million plan to re-purpose one of the oldest brownfield properties in the United States: The American Locomotive Company site. The site had sat vacant for decades.
The 60-acre Mohawk Harbor Redevelopment Project is a plan to revitalize the waterfront site with mixed-use development including hotels, housing and a marina. The Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady sits at the center of it all. Schenectady itself is in Eastern New York, where the Mohawk and Hudson rivers meet. It is in the Albany metropolitan area and less than 20 miles from the state capital.
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Rush Rewards Rivers Casino Schenectady
A Casino Beyond The Pines
The $330 million Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady boats more than 50,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino floor features almost 1,200 slot machines and more than 65 table games. The live Poker Room on site opened in February 2017 with 15 tables.
Rivers boasts a massive selection of the latest slots, video poker machines and table games, including:
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Roulette
- Baccarat
- Video Poker
- Casino War
- Let it Ride
- Mini-Baccarat
- Spanish 21
- Mississippi Stud
- Pai Gow
- Three Card Poker
- Fortune Asia Poker
Rivers might not be as big as the other new commercial gaming properties in the State of New York, but it definitely offers the same full-service casino amenities. Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady was developed by The Galesi Group and Rush Street Gaming. Rush Street operates casino properties in the suburbs of Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It is running the day-to-day operations at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady.
Huge potential for online gambling
Online casino gaming may not be on the current agenda for New York lawmakers, but it’s certainly on the minds of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady operators Rush Street Gaming.
In fact, Rush Street is already offering free-to-play casino games on the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady website. Rivers Casino4Fun includes slots, blackjack, roulette, and more. It is available on desktop computers and mobile devices. Casino4Fun is currently a play-for-fun site for entertainment purposes only. No real money gambling is available, but it serves to prove that if New York legislators ever considering legislation which would legalize and regulate online casino games, the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is ready.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady operators Rush Street Gaming also has an Interactive division that appears poised to jump into any legal and regulated online casino markets across the United States, if and when they open up.
The company appears well positioned to secure an online gaming license in New York should the ability present itself.
Online poker potential is strong
The State Assembly’s Chairman of the Committee on Racing and Wagering introduced legislation which would legalize and regulate online poker in the state of New York in early 2017. In fact, he claims he sees very little standing in the way of such legislation, and all of New York’s licensed casino and Racino properties are on board. The bill went nowhere in 2017, but was still live in the legislature at the start of 2018.
This obviously includes Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, which has already developed online casino and poker software through operator Rush Street’s Interactive division. Plus, the property already boasts a 15-table live Poker room. Rush Street Gaming already has experience in the online gaming industry and appear to be poised to jump on board immediately. Particularly if existing brick and mortar casino properties get the first opportunity to obtain online poker operator licenses.
More casino amenities coming soon
Gold Rush Casino
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady opened its 163-room hotel in the summer of 2017. It will be attached directly to the casino.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady’s Splash Spa opened in late February inside the casino’s entrance promenade.
It offers a huge variety of spa services, including:
- beauty and relaxation treatments
- manicures
- pedicures
- massages
- facials
- body treatments
The Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady property also includes a 10,000-square feet Event Center with re-configurable event space for up to 600 people.
Local hospitality giants Mallozzi Restaurant Group currently operates all five restaurants at Rivers. This includes:
- Dukes Chophouse, named after Schenectady icon Tony “The Duke” DeLorenzo,
- Mian, which serves dim sum, noodles, and rice dishes
- Flipt, an American eatery promising to more than the average burger joint
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady offers patrons entry into its Rush Rewards Players Club, allowing players to instantly earn points at any of its slot machines and gaming tables.
It is free to join and benefits include:
- free offers monthly
- free play on slots
- member-only promotions
- dining discounts
- priority valet parking
The program has three tiers, Signature, Preferred and Rush, which count Tier Credits over a 6-month period. Players earn:
- One point and Tier Credit or every $5 bet on slots
- $10 on video poker
- Table game reward levels vary
SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rush Street Gaming has tapped the CFO of its two Pennsylvania casinos to lead the company’s newest property in Upstate New York. Mary Cheeks, who currently serves as chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance for Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh and SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, will be the General Manager of Rivers Casino in Schenectady.
“Mary was instrumental in Rush Street’s win of the gaming license for New York’s Capital Region,” said Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming. “She’s a natural-born leader with an unwavering commitment to excellence and an impressive track record.”
Mary Cheeks is a 30-year gaming industry veteran with an extensive background in casino finance. She launched her gaming career in Atlantic City as an auditor for Resorts International Casino & Hotel in the mid-1980s. After earning several promotions, Mary left Resorts to be the director of finance at SMG, an agent for the Atlantic City Convention Center. From SMG, she moved to Showboat and then Harrah’s, where she served as regional vice president and CFO.
Mary joined Rush Street Gaming in 2010 as vice president of finance for SugarHouse Casino in Philly. Soon thereafter, her responsibilities grew to include leading the finance department at Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. Today, as CFO and senior vice president of finance for Rush Street’s two Pennsylvania casinos, Mary heads both finance departments and serves on the senior leadership team of both properties. Mary has also been instrumental in establishing Rush Street’s state-of-the-industry supplier diversity programs.
“During my many visits to Schenectady this past year, I’ve met many residents and leaders from the community, and learned a lot about the city and its rich history. I am eager to make Schenectady my home, and I’m excited about opening Rivers Casino at Mohawk Harbor,” said Mary Cheeks.
Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates were selected in December 2014 by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board to receive one of three licenses in Upstate New York. Rivers Casino’s license to operate a casino in Schenectady and Mary Cheeks’ appointment as general manager are pending approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.
About Rush Street Gaming
Rush Casino Schenectady
Founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin, Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Des Plaines, IL (Chicago area). By placing an emphasis on superior design and outstanding customer service, Rush Street Gaming has become one of the leading casino developers in the United States. Existing casinos generate over $1 billion in annual gaming revenues, and all Rush Street Gaming casinos were voted a 2014 “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members.