Riverboat casinos and water level
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I've wondered if the barge over at Hollywood was really even a floating vessel at all. I know it is not a boat, in any form, but I assume it has to move up and down based upon the rivel level, but how they do that and still have it attached to the fixed hotel is beyond me. At no point can you tell you have crossed from land to water.
Yes, the doors on the 3rd floor are now closed. It looks like they have interchangeable signs that say "You are on floor ____. Boarding is currently on floor ____." I meant to ask about it last night, but I was too busy riding a losing streak and staring at the drink girl (possibly not in that order) to remember to bring it up.
Quote: rdw4potusOf all the riverboat casinos I've been to, the Hollywood in Lawrenceberg was by far the most impressive from that respect. There is no clear ramp, or lip, or plate at all. Makes me wonder if maybe it is over water without being in it? What are the rules for casinos in IN? The one in French Lick land-based, isn't it? Maybe the new Hollywood is on land as well?
Yes, the doors on the 3rd floor are now closed. It looks like they have interchangeable signs that say "You are on floor ____. Boarding is currently on floor ____." I meant to ask about it last night, but I was too busy riding a losing streak and staring at the drink girl (possibly not in that order) to remember to bring it up.
Yeah, they have really loosened the rules up. There was even some discussion in the last General Assembly session to allow any of the casinos to rebuild on land. It was actually Hollywood (and maybe Blue Chip up north) that objected because they had already spent such massive $$ replacing the old boats with the single floor barges. Only in the last couple years have the "boats" been permitted that weren't actually moveable...i.e. no working engine room, etc...The companies were complaining that they were having to spend a lot maintaining these things for no reason. Long term I anticipate that casinos will be allowed to build on land.
As far as French Lick, they actually originally built a moat for the structure to sit in. Finally people lightened up and realized how foolish it was, and they have now filled that in so its actually land based. French Lick has several legislative quirks that are unique to its license.
For those that care, to get an idea what we are talking about with boats vs barges, take a look at the ariel view of Hollywood at mapquest (link below). On the lower/left you see the old Argosy boat. It was one of the larger riverboats, but it was still obviously a boat. This is gone (or at least not used, I don't know if its physically gone). Just above/right of the boat is the new "boat", which obviously is not a boat at all. Just a large building that appears to be suspended over water. This is the new casino and its comparable in size to a Vegas casino...it has 150,000 sq ft of gaming space, the total gaming/enterainment space is around 270,000 sq ft.
Hollywood Casino map
Quote: rudeboyoiimagine being the crew that mans these boats. what a cushy job that must be.
I really really wanted to take some pictures of Harrah's Joliet where the "border" was between the casino and the rest of the property. There was just a tiny little seam. I asked security, and they said they'd rather I didn't, so I didn't. I've always been fascinated by the way they operate. There usually are "crew" that monitor the boarding, maybe even check IDs, but it has to be the least maritime related ship job ever.
Alabama/Mississippi changed their laws after many boats were completely destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. They realized a "loophole" wasn't worth keeping around at such a hefty pricetag, and the replacement casinos were allowed to be constructed on land.
Quote: rudeboyoiimagine being the crew that mans these boats. what a cushy job that must be.
I talked to a Horseshoe Indiana ship worker one day and he said they stay quite busy. Even though the ship doesn't sail it still has to be sea worthy, and has to be maintained at that level. I seem to recall that he said they have to follow Coast Guard regulations and regular inspections.
I always wondered if the concrete "boat" at French Lick originally had to have a crew as well :)
Quote: rdw4potusI stayed at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana two weeks ago, and blogged a review of my stay. At that time, entry to the barge was on level 3. I am staying at the HSI again this week, and entry is now on level 4. Is that something that changes often on these riverboat barge casinos? How do they even make that change in a casino that never closes?
I figured out my answer last night (it helped that the water level changed). The very last hallway before the actual boat is moveable. So you come down an escalator and walk a couple hundred feet at a slight incline up or down before getting to a flat section (with the players club windows) before boarding the boat. The water level must've been up considerably since monday, because that hallway was borderline unpleasant to walk last night. I didn't go to the casino before leaving the hotel for work today, but I wonder if they'll be back to boarding on 3 today. I'm almost certain that it would have been less of a decline to board on 3 last night than it was an incline to board on 4.
Quote: rdw4potusI figured out my answer last night (it helped that the water level changed). The very last hallway before the actual boat is moveable. So you come down an escalator and walk a couple hundred feet at a slight incline up or down before getting to a flat section (with the players club windows) before boarding the boat. The water level must've been up considerably since monday, because that hallway was borderline unpleasant to walk last night. I didn't go to the casino before leaving the hotel for work today, but I wonder if they'll be back to boarding on 3 today. I'm almost certain that it would have been less of a decline to board on 3 last night than it was an incline to board on 4.
Ahh..now that makes more sense. So are you still there? If you could do you mind seeing what the craps limits are at through the week? I know you mentioned they were $15 on the weekend when you were there last. I think HSI has quite a few tables - according the Indiana Gaming Commission they have like 6-8 I believe. If they are $15 all the time, I doubt I'd ever bother with taking another trip down there...though that used to be the only Indiana place I went.
Quote: ruascottAhh..now that makes more sense. So are you still there? If you could do you mind seeing what the craps limits are at through the week? I know you mentioned they were $15 on the weekend when you were there last. I think HSI has quite a few tables - according the Indiana Gaming Commission they have like 6-8 I believe. If they are $15 all the time, I doubt I'd ever bother with taking another trip down there...though that used to be the only Indiana place I went.
Ironically, I, too, was at Horseshoe Sunday/Monday. Craps table was 10 dollars MOST of the time I was there, although it was actually down to 5 dollars on Monday morning.
While I was there, the A/C at the hotel went out. It was VERY hot and muggy, but they got it fixed by Sunday evening. I've always thought that the level you enter changes by the day.
Quote: ruascott$5 craps tables seem to be non-existent in Indiana, except maybe for the slowest of times. I have yet to ever see one. In fact, I've never actually played $5 craps...though I really would love to be able to spread a lot more bets around with my small bankroll.
GV has $5 most of the time with, I believe, 20x odds (Probably not on weekends though). I've never seen $5 at Hollywood. Belterra probably does, as they have $5 BJ tables most of the time.
Quote: TiltpoulGV has $5 most of the time with, I believe, 20x odds (Probably not on weekends though).
25x, I think, which is an odds multiple I'd never seen before. Had to squint to make sure. Also, it was $10 on a Sunday night, and packed.
Quote: ruascott$5 craps tables seem to be non-existent in Indiana, except maybe for the slowest of times. I have yet to ever see one. In fact, I've never actually played $5 craps...though I really would love to be able to spread a lot more bets around with my small bankroll.
majestic star used to have a $3 table. they ended that about 4years ago though.
Quote: ruascottAhh..now that makes more sense. So are you still there? If you could do you mind seeing what the craps limits are at through the week? I know you mentioned they were $15 on the weekend when you were there last. I think HSI has quite a few tables - according the Indiana Gaming Commission they have like 6-8 I believe. If they are $15 all the time, I doubt I'd ever bother with taking another trip down there...though that used to be the only Indiana place I went.
They had 2 of the 6 tables open last night. Both were at $10 and packed from 10-2.
