Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino is an Art Deco-inspired riverboat casino and full-service resort hotel located at 21 Blackjack Boulevard in East Peoria, Illinois. Permanently moored along the eastern shore of the Illinois River directly across from the downtown Peoria skyline, the complex launched gaming operations in 1991 and has been owned and operated by Boyd Gaming since 1996. Combining a multi-deck riverboat gaming floor with an adjacent eight-story hotel, upscale steakhouses, sports wagering, and event banquet halls, it anchors the entertainment and hospitality corridor of central Illinois.
What to Expect at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
Gaming takes place aboard a custom-built riverboat organized across three climate-controlled interior decks connected by escalators and passenger elevators. Covering more than 26,000 square feet of gaming space, the boat houses hundreds of reel, video, and progressive jackpot slot machines alongside video poker terminals ranging from penny denominations to high-limit machines in a dedicated High Limit Slot area. Live table players will find blackjack, craps, roulette, Mississippi Stud, and Three Card Poker. Inside the DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook lounge on the property, guests can place wagers at staffed betting windows or self-service kiosks while watching live professional and collegiate games across a wall of high-definition screens.
Connected to the casino pavilion sit the eight-story, 202-room hotel and the resort’s dining venues. Designed with subtle 1920s and 1930s Art Deco motifs, the guest rooms and suites feature views of either the Illinois River or the East Peoria wooded bluffs, pillow-top mattresses, refrigerators, work desks, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Culinary choices are led by Boyd’s Steakhouse, an intimate fine-dining venue renowned for prime dry-aged steaks, fresh cold-water lobster tails, and an extensive wine list. For casual post-game meals and late-night bites, Tin Lizard Bar & Grill serves burgers, flatbreads, wings, and regional craft beers in an energetic sports bar setting.
- Three-Deck Riverboat Gaming Floor: Over 26,000 square feet of slot machines, video poker, and live dealer table games including craps, roulette, and blackjack moored directly on the Illinois River.
- Boyd’s Steakhouse: The resort’s flagship restaurant serving USDA Prime cuts, bone-in ribeyes, seafood towers, and classic steakhouse sides in a dark-wood dining room.
- Tin Lizard Bar & Grill: A lively casual tavern and sports pub offering handheld sandwiches, appetizers, draft beers, and wall-to-wall sports broadcasts.
- On-Site Sportsbook: Retail sports betting counter and self-service wagering kiosks equipped with lounge seating and multi-screen live game coverage.
- Art Deco Hotel Tower & Event Center: A 202-room hotel featuring riverfront suites, a 24-hour fitness center, and over 10,000 square feet of flexible ballroom and meeting space.
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 21 Blackjack Blvd, East Peoria, IL 61611 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Peoria Riverfront (Illinois Route 116 Corridor) |
| Operating Hours | Hotel: 24 hours daily; Casino Floor: Daily 8:00 AM – 4:00 AM (hours may vary on holidays) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free casino entry (21+ with valid photo ID); Hotel rooms typically $110–$220/night ($$) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 4 hours for gaming and dining; 1 to 2 nights for hotel guests |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free surface parking lots on-site; immediate access off I-74 Exit 95B and IL Route 116 |
| Official Website & Phone | paradice.boydgaming.com | +1 309-699-7711 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Weekday mornings and early afternoons offer the quietest floor conditions on the riverboat, with lower table minimums and effortless access to popular progressive slot banks. Friday and Saturday nights draw lively crowds from across the Peoria metropolitan area; if you plan to dine at Boyd’s Steakhouse on a weekend evening, reserve a table several days in advance through the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino official website. Be sure to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, as Illinois Gaming Board regulations strictly require all guests entering the casino pavilion and gaming decks to be at least 21 years of age. Frequent visitors can enroll in the Boyd Rewards loyalty program at the player services desk to earn tier credits and dining comps.
Reaching the property by car is straightforward via Interstate 74: take Exit 95B onto North Main Street (Illinois Route 116 East) and travel 1.5 miles north along the riverfront to Blackjack Boulevard, where expansive, complimentary surface parking surrounds both the hotel and casino entrance. Both the hotel tower and the three-deck riverboat are wheelchair accessible, featuring step-free automatic main entrances, wide boarding ramps, elevator access between all gaming decks, and ADA-compliant hotel rooms with roll-in showers. When pairing your visit with nearby attractions, EastSide Centre recreational complex and the Bass Pro Shops outdoor megastore sit less than five minutes south in East Peoria, while the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center are a seven-minute drive across the Murray Baker Bridge in downtown Peoria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours and age requirements at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino?
The hotel operates 24 hours a day, with standard check-in starting at 4:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. The riverboat casino floor typically operates daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 AM, and all visitors entering the gaming area must be 21 years of age or older with a valid government-issued photo ID.
Does it cost money to enter the casino or park on-site?
Admission to the Par-A-Dice casino floor is completely free, and the resort provides complimentary self-parking in large surface lots adjacent to the hotel lobby and casino pavilion. Dining prices range from $15–$25 per person at Tin Lizard Bar & Grill to $50–$95+ per person at Boyd’s Steakhouse.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Day-trip visitors coming for slot play, table games, or sports wagering coupled with dinner at one of the on-site restaurants typically spend 2.5 to 4 hours on the property. Overnight guests using the hotel as a base for exploring the Peoria riverfront usually book a one- or two-night weekend stay.
Does the Par-A-Dice riverboat leave the dock for cruises?
No, the Par-A-Dice gaming vessel stays permanently moored at its dock on the Illinois River under Illinois dockside gaming regulations. Guests can board and exit the three-deck riverboat at any time during operating hours via wide, climate-controlled gangways and elevators.
When planning your Peoria travel guide or comparing verified attractions and hotels in Peoria, pair this stop with standout local spots including Peoria Zoo, Stoney Creek Hotel Peoria, Intuition Coffee + Juice, and Hampton Inn Peoria-East At The River Boat Crossing (0.3 km away).
