Argosy Casino

It's not the most exciting casino I've been to ... In fact, it's probably the least exciting casino I've been to, with the least action on the craps tables (which are what I go for) that I've seen. But the employees are friendly, and it's a good place for people-watching that feels more homey to me, as a native Altonian, than the other places you can go to in StL and ESL.

Not a fan,My first trip to Argosy was a little disappointing, I remember many years ago when the boat actually took river cruises. I was too young to actually get on to gamble back then but really wish that they would bring this back. Overall the casino was small, which is to be expected, however I couldn't really shake the feeling that something was off. On the 3rd floor while playing some slots I felt like I was being watched by an employee who was just watching the floor, he was standing behind me and it made me feel a little uncomfortable. What really surprised me was the free soda, it wasn't a soda fountain but it was one of the nozzle type dispensers used in a bar. Table games are very limited no more than 10 so odds are you will be playing slots. Overall I wouldn't say that this was an awful experience, however there are better options in St.Louis.

I don't gamble, but I do frequent rundown non-Vegas casinos for their fantastic selection of 80s acts.  I've been to the Alton Belle twice now, but I only made the mistake of eating at their buffet once.  It was...less than acceptable.  

If you like to people-watch, you'll be pleased with the odd array of folks that hang out here.  It's NOTHING like a Vegas casino.  We're talking disabled people who don't appear to have moved from a single slot machine in years, retirees blowing their Social Security checks on the penny slots, gap-toothed cocktail waitresses, and good ole boys from the nearby farming communities acting like they're in Ocean's 11 or something as they puzzle their way through the basics of blackjack.  There are exceptions, of course, but overall, this place is kind of a freakshow.  

Anyway, I've been twice now because they do occasionally have really good concerts.  I saw Air Supply here in 2007, along with Loverboy a bit later.  It's an extremely small venue, and if you get there early, you can usually snag a decent seat (but be warned, the front seats are typically reserved for people who have some kind of special relationship with the casino.

Acoustically, it's an imperfect venue.  For seating, it's even worse (all of the seats are level, so if someone tall is front of you...too bad).  Still, the acts they bring in are worthwhile and the venue feels very intimate.  

I should also mention that thanks to wonderful new regulation in Illinois, smokers are not welcome inside the casino.  You'll still get the occasional whiff of it from someone whose clothing is tainted, but the bigger concern these days is body odor.  Now if they could just outlaw that one...