PHILADELPHIA — Sept. 8, 2020 — Down, set, bet! Rivers Casino Philadelphia added eight self-service betting kiosks just in time for the start of this year’s NFL season. Rivers Casino has lots of action on New Year’s Eve. You can gamble, catch two fireworks shows, dance and much more.

After a four-month coronavirus-caused shutdown, Rivers Casino Philadelphia was the last casino to reopen in Pennsylvania. The casino has been open since mid-July and just last week celebrated its 10th anniversary.

For a decade, Rivers Casino (formerly SugarHouse) has been the first and only casino in the city of Philadelphia. That distinction will end in early 2021 when Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia opens on Packer Avenue right near the Sports Complex in South Philadelphia.

However, Rivers Casino Philadelphia has spent the past 10 years establishing itself in the Greater Philadelphia area and will see guests continue to roll into the casino by the Delaware River.

With so much changing so fast these days, here is the latest news and updates from Rivers Casino Philadelphia and what you can expect during your next visit.

Updated hours at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rivers Casino Philadelphia has expanded its hours and is now open 24/7.

Sportsbook at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

The BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers Casino hours:

Sun.: 10 a.m.-12 a.m.
Mon.-Thurs.: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Fri.: 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Sat.: 10 a.m.-1 a.m.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia opened the $5 million state-of-the-art BetRivers sportsbook in October 2019. In preparation for this NFL season, it added eight self-service betting kiosks to the sportsbook and other locations throughout the casino floor. The additions up the total to 33 betting kiosks. In-person ticket windows are also open during select times.

Jim Llewellyn, sportsbook manager at Rivers Casino Philadelphia, commented:

“We’re excited to provide guests with a variety of betting options as professional sports are in full swing. BetRivers Sportsbook is the place for guests to wager on NFL games this fall and is just steps away from their favorite slots and games.”

Smoking, food and drink at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Per the City of Philadelphia, food and beverages are not currently allowed on the gaming floor. Also, smoking is not permitted on the gaming floor; however, designated outdoor areas are set up.

PA Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levinesigned new orders for increased coronavirus mitigation efforts on July 16. For casinos, that means a temporary pause on drink service and sitting at the bar, and lower capacity limits at restaurants.

Restaurants at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rivers Casino Philadelphia recently reopened Jack’s Bar + Grill and Mian, where alcohol may be purchased with a meal. There will be no alcohol service on the casino floor.

Mian

• 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily
• Authentic Asian cuisine

Jack’s Bar + Grill

• 2 p.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Classic American fare

The poker room at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

The Rivers Casino Philadelphia Poker Room, and currently every poker room in Pennsylvania, is closed. When PA casinos reopened, poker rooms were not permitted to operate due to players handling cards and chips. The plan at that time was to continually monitor the situation and make adjustments according to guidance from the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) Director of Communications Doug Harbach gave this update to PlayPennsylvania in late August about poker rooms in Pennsylvania:

“There has been no alteration to the casino reopening protocols released by the Gaming Control Board in May in which poker rooms were not authorized to operate. At the same time, this guideline can be reexamined based on health experts’ guidance. Should casinos wish to explore reopening a casino room, it would need to provide plans to do so safely, which would be reviewed by the board on a case-by-case basis.”

PlayPennsylvania reached out to a Rivers Casino spokesperson on Sept. 29 who said dates for reopening poker rooms at Rivers Casinos in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are yet to be determined.

Health and safety at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Rivers Casino Philadelphia and all casinos in Pennsylvania are required to follow the PGCB’s COVID-19 Casino Reopening Protocols.

When visiting any PA casino, here are some of the new safety guidelines:

• Casinos can reopen at 50% capacity. However, the City of Philadelphia mandates that the gaming floor at Rivers Casino Philadelphia operate at 25% capacity.
• Employees and guests must wear masks.
• There must be markings on the floor to promote social distancing.
• Enhanced cleaning is required throughout the facility.

Rivers Casino in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh started a new initiative, Rivers Clean. It represents a rigorous propertywide cleaning and disinfectant program to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

They also upgraded their HVAC system to include airPHX, a technology that continuously disinfects indoor air and eliminates coronavirus on surfaces. In addition, the casino features AtmosAir, an indoor air quality purification system that is proven to neutralize coronavirus by more than 99.9%.

Promotions at Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Coins for Cash: For every $50 of clean, unwrapped coins, receive $5 in free play.

Rivers Philadelphia 2019-20 fiscal year numbers

Rivers Casino Philadelphia 2019-20 fiscal year totals include:

• Slot revenue: $123.5 million (tax revenue $61.2 million)
• Slot win per day: $216
• Table game revenue: $94.4 million (tax revenue $15.1 million)
• Total sports betting revenue: $17.8 million (tax revenue $6.4 million)
• Retail sportsbook revenue: $5.7 million
• Online sportsbook revenue: $12.1 million
• iGaming revenue: $73 million (tax revenue $33.7 million)

A good August for Rivers Philadelphia

Of all 12 casinos in PA, Rivers Casino Philadelphia ranked second behind Parx in terms of total gaming revenue in August. In August 2020, Rivers Casino Philadelphia posted $39.5 million in total gaming revenue, which represented about a 40%increase from last August’s total of $28.3 million.

Table games and slot revenue was down compared to last August, but Rivers Philadelphia led for iGaming revenue ($17 million) and saw a 77% YoY increase for sports betting revenue ($2.1 million).

Rivers Philadelphia celebrates 10 years

Then called SugarHouse, it was one of the first casinos to open in a major metropolitan area outside of Las Vegas or Atlantic City. As a result, Philadelphia’s first casino arrived with plenty of hoopla and the expectations that come with a $550 million price tag and 1,000 new jobs.

Six years later, the casino’s success led to a $164 million expansion that included a 28-table poker room, additional restaurants, the Event Center and a free parking garage.

It marked another first for gaming in the City of Philadelphia when it opened the first licensed sportsbook, operated by Rush Street Interactive (RSI), in 2018. According to Rivers, more than 60% of its workforce is from Philadelphia and surrounding areas.

Approximately 43% of Rivers’ total workforce are women, many in executive and management positions. Additionally, 60% are African American, Hispanic or Asian. And an impressive 176 team members have been with the casino since Day One.

Since opening in September 2010, Rivers Casino has generated more than $1.2 billion in total tax revenue for the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Free dealer training

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is offering a free dealer training program with weekday and weekend classes. People who complete the six-week training will receive a job offer.

Weekend class sessions begin:
Friday, Oct. 23 – Five-week duration
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
*Deadline to register for this class is Friday, Oct. 16.

Weekday (Monday-Thursday) class sessions begin:
Monday, Oct. 12 – Six-week duration
Choose 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
*Deadline to register for this class is Sunday, Oct. 4.

Guide to new years eve in Philly. Find the best fireworks, top NYE2020-2021 cruises, parties & hotels

The highlight of the new years eve celebrations in Philadelphia onceagain this year will be the SugarHouse Casino New Years Eve Fireworkson the Waterfront down on the Delaware River waterfront.

That is far from the only NYE party in town however, with a greatselection of events taking place around Philly, including top hotelparties, fireworks cruises on the river and fine dining in some trulyexceptional restaurants.

If you're in Philadelphia over the new year then we strongly recommendyou hang around for the famous and historic Mummers Parade that takesplace on new years day. You can get full details on the 2021 parade,including the lineup, schedule and even a live stream to watch onlinehere:Mummers Parade live 2021

New Years Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

A feature of the new year celebrations in Philadelphia for many yearsnow, the SugarHouse Casino New Years Eve Fireworks on the Waterfrontattracts huge crowds down to this popular waterfront area.

There are actually 2 displays, an earlier show at 6pm aimed at thosefamilies with younger children who perhaps don't want to stay out toolate, followed by the main display at midnight.

There are views of the fireworks available from across the city,with the most popular viewing points including the Penn's Landing GreatPlaza, the Sugarhouse Casino walking path and from Wiggin's WaterfrontPark across the other side of the river in Camden, where you'll havegreat views of the Philly skyline. With all of these venues you'll needto make sure you arrive in plenty of time as they will be crowded!

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

Operating in conjunction with the waterfront fireworks, the annualWinterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink puts on a new years eve partyof its own, offering plentiful food and drink, live entertainment, firepits, holiday favours and of course ice skating and a front row viewof both fireworks displays, with co-ordinated on-site music.

You can buy tickets for this event onlinehere.

SugarHouse Casino New Years Eve Bash

As well as sponsoring the fireworks, the SugarHouse Casino also hosttheir own top new years eve party. This event includes a 3 hourpremium open bar, food and drinks stations, party decorations and atmidnight everyone heads outside to watch the fireworks accompanied bya champagne toast.

They even offer free parking in their own private and secure carpark. You can buy tickets onlinehere.

New Years Eve at The Met

A big tradition in Philadelphia on new years eve is the annualcelebration at The Met, where there is always a top performer tohelp welcoem the new year in style.

This year the main attraction is comedian Dave Chappelle, whowill be performing 2 sets, at 7ppm and 10pm. You can buy ticketsonline direct from the venuehere.

Independence Seaport Museum Fireworks

Capitalising on their prime location with views over the Delawareriver, the Independence Seaport Museum takes advantage of the new yearseve celebrations to offer special tickets for an evening of entertainment,the highlight of which is watching the fireworks from their privateterrace.

You also get all day access to the museum included, an ideal wayto tick off another tourist site while making sure you don't miss outon the fireworks. Book tickets onlinehere.

Clutch New Year Concert

There is never a shortage of live music in Philly on new yearseve, and one top show on offer this year sees American rockersClutch playing live at Union Transfer. Tickets are available via theband's official website.

Rivers Casino New Years Eve 2020 Philadelphia Mississippi

NYE at Jerry's on Front

More live music this new year sees Ryley Walker, Chris Forsyth &Garcia Peoples playing live at Jerry's on Front. Promises to be agreat show, you can buy tickets onlinehere.

Camden Battleship New Years Eve

If you don't mind heading just over the water to New Jersey foryour new year party you'll find a great event taking place on theCamden Battleship, located in an ideal position to watch theSugarHouse New Years Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront at both 6pm andmidnight, when they will also offer guests the chance to fire theirown historic gun!

The decks are open for 2 hours prior to each of the fireworksshows and you can also enjoy music, food and bars service. Entry isfree for members, or otherwise for only a small $10 donation, whichseems like excellent value for one of the best fireworks views intown.

Franklin Square Kids Countdown

Another great option for those with younger children in tow, theKids' New Years Eve Countdown at Franklin Square is a free event boastingdancing, entertainment and a great view of the 6pm fireworks display.

If the adults of the group want to stay out late they can also attendthe Franklin Square Holiday Festival and Electrical Spectacle, wherethere are fire pits, a winter beer garden and a special light show.

Midnight From The Top

If its panoramic fireworks views you're looking for then the bestparty in town has to be the Midnight from the Top event at the iconicOne Liberty Observation deck. This is a relatively new addition to thePhiladelphia new years eve calendar, with an open bar, live music anddancing.

The highlight of course is the fact you have 360 degree views andyou're 57 floors up, so when midnight arrives the fireworks views willbe absolutely spectacular. This is a black tie occasion, so be sureto dress up smart! Tickets are available onlinehere.

Celebrity Style New Years Eve Fireworks Gala

Another option for great fireworks views is the annual fireworksgala at The Pyramid Club, located inside the BNY Mellon Center onMarket Street.

As well as the great fireworks vantage point, this event featuresmultiple rooms, an open bar, party favors and champagne toast atmidnight. You can get your tickets onlinehere.

Kimmel Center New Year's Day Celebration

If you manage to survive the new years eve festivities and arestill going strong when new years day arrives then head down to theThe Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on South Brioad Street,where they will be holding their annual free new years daycelebration.

This event features holiday sights and sounds as well as theideal spot for panoramic views of the Mummers parade - speaking ofwhich:

Mummers Parade 2021

A huge part of the new year celebrations in Philadelphia everyyear, the Mummers Parade takes to the city's streets on new yearsday and attracts huge crowds, as well as being watched live on TVand online by a global audience.

Get all the latest on this year's parade here:Philadelphia Mummers Parade 2021

New Years Eve Hotels

There's no shortage of top hotel accommodation in Philadelphia onnew years eve, and many will also be hosting their own parties and NYEgala dinners.

Rivers Casino New Years Eve 2020 Philadelphia Schedule

If you're looking for a hotel with not just a big new year partybut views of the fireworks too then The Hyatt Regency Philadelphia atPenn's Landing is an excellent choice.

You can search, check availability and book all of the topPhiladelphia hotels here.

NYE Live Stream

Both the 6pm and midnight fireworks will once again this year bebroadcast by local channel NBC10, which you can watch online here:

The soundtrack to the fireworks show is also carried over the radio- tune in to 1060am to listen in.

Latest NYE News

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