Ameristar Casino East Chicago is a northwest Indiana casino hotel with more than 900 advertised slots, live table games, a dedicated baccarat room, and a retail sportsbook. I think its strongest selling point is having gambling, dinner, and a room in the same complex. The catch: dining choices narrow on weekdays, and hotel fees add to the advertised rate. It is best for adults planning a casino-centered overnight visit, especially baccarat players, sports bettors, and PENN Play members.
Ameristar Casino East Chicago quick facts
| Location | 777 Ameristar Boulevard, East Chicago, IN 46312, using the property’s published address |
|---|---|
| Property type | Casino hotel |
| Slots | More than 900 advertised; inventory can change |
| Table games | 28 advertised tables; a separately described baccarat inventory should not be added to this count |
| Sportsbook | Inside the pavilion; 23 advertised betting kiosks available 24 hours daily |
| Hotel | 288 advertised rooms |
| Hotel age requirement | 21 or older to rent a room and stay |
| Check-in / checkout | Check-in: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; checkout: 11 a.m. |
| Nightly amenity fee | $10.00 per room, before any applicable tax |
| Rewards program | PENN Play |
| Phone | 219-378-3000 |
| Research record collected | October 12, 2026 |
Property overview: a casino-centered overnight stay
East Chicago is in Indiana, not a neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. I would choose Ameristar primarily for what is inside the complex, rather than treating it as a downtown Chicago sightseeing base.
The attached hotel is the practical attraction. Dinner, drinks, gambling, and an overnight stay can fit into one visit without a separate late-night drive to another hotel. That convenience matters more to me than a long list of amenities you may never use.
The supplied official pages advertise active gaming, hotel reservations, and dining. The Indiana Gaming Commission’s orders archive also records a June 25, 2026, gambling-license renewal for Ameristar Casino East Chicago, LLC, the licensed operating entity.
For alternatives around the state, see our Indiana casinos guide.
Casino games: slots, table games, and baccarat
Ameristar advertises more than 900 slots, 28 table games, a high-limit table area, and a third-floor baccarat room. These are published inventory descriptions, not guarantees that every table will be staffed when you arrive.
The property separately describes 11 baccarat games without explaining whether they are included in the table count. I would not combine those figures into a supposedly precise casino-wide total.
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s FY2026 annual report lists Ameristar’s gaming space at 59,460 square feet. Treat that as a dated regulator-reported footprint, not a measure of how many games will be available during your visit.
Slots and video poker
Advertised slot denominations run from $0.01 to $100.00. Denomination is not the same as total wager: a penny machine can require considerably more than a penny per spin, especially when a bonus feature or progressive jackpot requires a qualifying bet.
I would plan around a spending limit rather than a particular machine title. Cabinets change, and the supplied research does not establish a current video-poker inventory or its pay tables. If video poker is your main reason to visit, ask about the game you want before traveling, then inspect its displayed payouts before playing.
A guest’s winning or losing session does not establish whether machines are loose or tight. A jackpot display does not tell you what your next spin will do, either.
Table games and the baccarat room
The advertised lineup includes blackjack, roulette, EZ Pai Gow, Blazing 7’s Blackjack Progressive, craps, and baccarat, plus a dedicated high-limit table area.
The baccarat room is the most distinctive part of the published mix. On the casino’s third floor, it is described as having 11 games with limits up to $25,000.00, plus no-commission and handheld games. That upper limit says nothing about the minimum wager on a particular visit.
Check the rules as carefully as the minimum-bet sign. At blackjack, ask about the blackjack payout. At baccarat, understand the no-commission rules. Optional side bets are separate wagers, not admission tickets to the main game.
Is there a live poker room?
The supplied research does not establish whether a live poker room is operating. That is not a confirmed closure. Call specifically about cash games, tournaments, and hours before making a poker-focused trip. EZ Pai Gow and other poker-related house games are not substitutes for player-versus-player cash poker.
Sportsbook location and hours
The property’s Sportsbook page describes a retail venue inside the pavilion, with a giant video wall, food service, table reservations, and 23 betting kiosks.
- Betting kiosks: Advertised as available 24 hours daily.
- Staffed counter, Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Staffed counter, Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Round-the-clock kiosks do not mean round-the-clock teller service or establish casino-wide operating hours.
I like the combination of betting, food, and game viewing. Still, reserving a table and placing a wager are separate tasks. For a major event, check seating before assuming you can settle in for the afternoon.
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s sportsbook contacts directory identifies the retail venue as The Sportsbook at Ameristar East Chicago. Mobile-app promotions do not establish who operates the physical counter. Keep paper tickets secure, and ask about redemption if you will leave before your event finishes.
Hotel rooms, check-in, and fees
Ameristar advertises 288 hotel rooms. Its room descriptions list deluxe king rooms, deluxe rooms with two queen beds, and accessible guest rooms. Both standard deluxe categories are advertised as exceeding 500 square feet.
Listed amenities include mini refrigerators, coffee service, safes, guestroom and lobby Wi-Fi, a business center, a gift/sundries shop, and a 24-hour fitness center. Those are useful overnight basics. the published information does not establish a pool or spa, so I would not book this as a swimming-and-spa getaway.
The hotel policies publish check-in from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and checkout at 11 a.m. Contact the hotel before planning an arrival outside that window.
Guests must be at least 21 to rent a room and stay. Bring valid state- or federally issued identification and a valid credit card in the reservation holder’s name. Room-type requests are not guaranteed.
Hotel cost comparison: look beyond the room rate
Gamboool’s supplied compilation combines public hotel policies, dining schedules, and menu prices with documented calculations. It is not a firsthand stay, restaurant test, or representative guest survey.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Hotel: Room tax and per-stay deposit | Published room tax is 12% per room per night, and the listed room deposit is $50.00 per stay. |
| Hotel: Nightly amenity fee and payment options | The amenity fee is $10.00 per room per night. PENN Cash can settle the fee at checkout, but applicable tax still requires cash or credit. |
| Hotel reservations: Online versus phone and front-desk booking fees | Phone and front-desk reservations carry a $10.00 service fee unless the guest is Owners Club or Elite; direct-online reservations do not carry that service fee. |
| Hotel: Arrival and departure windows | Check-in runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., checkout is at 11 a.m., and late checkout is subject to an additional charge. |
| Hotel: Minimum hotel age and identification | Guests must be at least 21 to rent a room and stay in the hotel, with valid state- or federally issued identification required at check-in. |
| Hotel reservations: Cancellation deadline and paid versus complimentary no-show charges | Reservations not cancelled at least 48 hours before arrival incur a one-night stay plus tax charge, or a $50.00 charge for PENN Play complimentary reservations. |
| Hotel: Card authorization versus final charges | The hotel holds the anticipated amount owed plus estimated incidentals; release can occur after checkout and depends on the card issuer. |
| Hotel: Pets versus service animals | Pets are prohibited, with an exception for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| Hotel: Smoking in a nonsmoking room | Smoking in a nonsmoking room triggers a $250.00 cleaning fee. |
| Best Rate Guarantee: Comparable reservation requirements | A competing rate must match the itinerary and reservation terms; consecutive-night comparisons use each night’s rate rather than the average stay price. |
| Accessible guest rooms: Published bathroom accessibility feature | The accessible-room description lists a roll-in shower with a bench. |
| Burger Brothers: Weekday versus weekend availability | Closed Monday through Thursday; open Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., with breakfast items available during the late-night portion of service. |
| Red Lotus Asian Kitchen: Daily dining hours | Listed as open daily from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., providing an evening option on days when Burger Brothers is closed. |
| Bugatti’s Steakhouse: Published dinner schedule | Listed dinner service is Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Club 38: Guest allowance by PENN Play tier | Owners Club members may bring two guests; Elite and Preferred members may each bring one guest. |
| The Sportsbook at Ameristar East Chicago: Staffed counter versus kiosk availability | The counter opens earlier on weekends and closes at 10 p.m. daily; kiosks are available around the clock. |
| The Sportsbook restaurant: Traditional bone-in wing portion prices | The menu lists six wings for $14.00 and twelve wings for $19.00. |
| The Sportsbook restaurant: Base burger price and included side | The Classic All American BYOB burger is listed at $20.00, and the burger section specifies fries are included. |
| The Sportsbook restaurant: Steak entrée price and accompaniments | The ten-ounce grilled New York strip is listed at $32.00 with steak butter, grilled asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and a baked potato. |
| Baccarat Room: Published game count, limits, and variations | The third-floor Baccarat Room advertises 11 games, limits up to $25,000.00, side bets, no-commission games, and handheld games; the passage does not supply detailed payout rules. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Room tax on an illustrative $150.00 nightly rate | $18.00 | Allow for room tax beyond the advertised rate; this calculation excludes the amenity fee and any other charges. |
| Amenity fees for an illustrative two-night stay | $20.00 before any applicable fee tax | The amenity fee grows with the stay length, so include it when comparing complete reservation prices. |
| Booking-channel fee difference for a guest without a tier exemption | $10.00 per reservation | Direct-online booking avoids this service fee; Owners Club and Elite guests are separately exempt from the phone and front-desk fee. |
| Illustrative Sportsbook burger meal subtotal for two | $40.00 before tax, tips, drinks, and paid modifications | Use the base burger subtotal as a meal-budget starting point, not an all-in restaurant bill. |
| Six-wing order menu cost per wing | $2.33 per wing before tax and tips | Compare this unit cost with the larger order when deciding whether to share. |
| Twelve-wing order menu cost per wing | $1.58 per wing before tax and tips | The larger order has a lower menu cost per wing, but only offers practical value if your group wants the extra food. |
| Sportsbook steak entrée versus base burger price difference | $12.00 before tax, tips, drinks, and modifications | The burger is the lower-priced choice; compare the included sides and your appetite rather than treating the meals as equivalent. |
Research references: ameristareastchicago.com 1, ameristareastchicago.com 2, ameristareastchicago.com 3, ameristareastchicago.com 4, ameristareastchicago.com 5.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-12. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
- Nightly amenity fee: $10.00 per room. An illustrative two-night stay adds $20.00 before any applicable fee tax.
- Room tax: The published rate is 12%. On an assumed $150.00 nightly room rate, room tax alone would be $18.00. This is a budgeting example, not a rate quote or an all-in total.
- Reservation fee: Direct-online booking avoids the listed $10.00 phone or front-desk reservation fee. Owners Club and Elite members are separately exempt.
- Deposit and card hold: The listed $50.00 per-stay room deposit and authorization for anticipated charges plus incidentals are not fixed, nonrefundable fees. A hold can nevertheless tie up available funds after checkout, depending on the issuer.
I would compare identical room types, dates, and cancellation terms, then choose the complete price rather than the most attractive headline.
The terms list a no-show charge for reservations not cancelled at least 48 hours before arrival: one night’s stay plus tax, or $50.00 for PENN Play complimentary reservations. Read your booking’s terms rather than assuming a comp has no cancellation consequences.
Restaurants and bars: more choices on weekends
The most useful comparison here is weekday versus weekend. The property’s dining schedules list both Bugatti’s and Burger Brothers as closed Monday through Thursday.
| Restaurant | Published schedule | Practical takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Bugatti’s Steak and Pasta | Friday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Sit-down steak and seafood option; reservations encouraged |
| Burger Brothers | Friday through Sunday, 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. | Casual burgers; breakfast items listed from midnight to 3 a.m. |
| Red Lotus Asian Kitchen | Daily, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Evening Asian dining in the baccarat room |
| The Sportsbook restaurant | Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to midnight | Published daily breakfast and daytime dining option |
My takeaway: weekends offer more room to improvise. On a weekday, settle the meal plan before a long gambling session. Several restaurant names do not necessarily mean several kitchens are open at lunch.
Official pages disagree about the Sportsbook’s weekday late-night to-go start time and some bar hours. Confirm those details if late-night food or drinks matter to your plans. Generic buffet wording on the dining page does not establish an operating buffet.
Sportsbook menu-budget examples
The supplied menu prices provide planning anchors, not a verdict on food quality:
- Base burger meal: The Classic All American BYOB burger with fries is listed at $20.00. Two diners ordering one each would have a $40.00 food subtotal before tax, tips, drinks, and paid modifications.
- Wings for sharing: Six traditional bone-in wings at $14.00 work out to about $2.33 each. Twelve at $19.00 work out to about $1.58 each. The larger order offers useful value only if your group wants the extra food.
- Steak versus burger: The ten-ounce New York strip entrée is listed at $32.00, or $12.00 more than the base burger, with different accompaniments.
No documented meal or guest-review synthesis supports a taste verdict here.
Club 38 is a restricted PENN Play lounge, not a general-public restaurant. Published access includes Owners Club, Elite, and Preferred members and their guests. Owners Club members may bring two guests; Elite and Preferred members may each bring one. Its listed schedule is weekend-only.
Amenities and entertainment limitations
The casino, restaurants, sportsbook, and attached hotel are the reasons I would consider Ameristar. The fitness center and business center make an overnight stay more practical, but the supplied research does not establish a current live-entertainment schedule or a substantial lineup of non-gambling attractions.
If your group wants a show, pool time, or activities away from gambling, establish those plans separately before choosing this property.
Directions, parking, smoking, and accessibility
The property’s visit page gives the address as 777 Ameristar Boulevard. The Indiana Gaming Commission’s casino directory uses 777 Ameristar Drive. Both identify East Chicago, IN 46312. Search by the property name, and check that your navigation pin matches the casino.
Official directions use IN-912 exit 5C, signed for Jeorse Park, Pastrick Marina, and Ameristar Casino, followed by Aldis Street into the property. From the Chicago area, allow for traffic rather than relying on a fixed drive-time estimate.
The City of East Chicago’s property listing describes a covered parking garage. It does not establish current parking charges or the route from your space to hotel check-in.
The supplied record does not establish parking charges, valet availability, EV charging, or airport shuttle service. Call before relying on those services, and ask where hotel guests should unload luggage.
Smoking and accessible rooms
Smoking and nonsmoking hotel rooms are advertised. That does not establish the casino-floor policy. If smoke exposure is a deciding factor, ask about gaming areas and the route between your room and restaurants. Smoking in a nonsmoking room carries a published $250.00 cleaning fee.
Accessible-room descriptions include roll-in showers with benches, grab bars, widened doors, lowered controls, and closed-captioned televisions. Explain the configuration you need before booking. A room description is not a full property accessibility assessment.
PENN Play rewards
Ameristar participates in PENN Play, as described on its current homepage. Existing members should check their actual room and dining offers before paying the public rate.
The amenity fee can be settled with PENN Cash under the published terms, but applicable tax still requires cash or credit. Lounge access and booking-fee exemptions depend on tier, so membership alone does not guarantee every benefit.
I would use rewards to improve a trip I already wanted to take, not increase my gambling budget to chase a room offer or lounge meal. The rewards app, social casino, and real-money sportsbook are different products with different rules.
Strengths, drawbacks, and guest-feedback limitations
My editorial assessment is straightforward: the attached hotel, advertised room space, dedicated baccarat room, and sportsbook are meaningful strengths. The nightly hotel fee, limited check-in window, weekday restaurant closures, and conflicting late-night schedules are meaningful planning drawbacks.
No identifiable customer-review collection or firsthand reports were supplied. There is therefore no supported recurring-review assessment of cleanliness, staff service, noise, room condition, or restaurant quality. I am not assigning a rating or treating older unattributed quotations as guest evidence.
Who Ameristar Casino East Chicago is best for
- Casino-focused overnight visitors: Staying on-site keeps the main parts of the evening together.
- Baccarat players: The dedicated room stands out in the advertised gaming mix.
- Sports bettors who want food and screens: The pavilion venue combines those uses, subject to seating and service schedules.
- PENN Play members: Eligible offers and tier benefits may improve the trip’s value.
It is a weaker fit for a pool-and-spa vacation, a family resort stay, or a guaranteed live poker game without calling first. For a short gambling stop, I would skip the room unless it solves a transportation or overnight-planning problem.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ameristar Casino East Chicago have a hotel?
Yes. It advertises 288 rooms, including deluxe king, two-queen, and accessible categories. Guests must be at least 21 to rent a room and stay.
Is the sportsbook open all night?
Betting kiosks are advertised as available 24 hours daily. The staffed counter closes at 10 p.m. and opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m. on weekends.
Does the hotel charge a resort fee?
The property calls it an amenity fee: $10.00 per room, per night, before any applicable tax. A separate $10.00 phone or front-desk reservation fee applies to guests without an exemption; direct-online booking avoids that reservation fee.
Does Ameristar East Chicago have a poker room?
Current live poker-room status is not established by the supplied research. Call about cash games and tournaments before making a poker-focused trip.
Are all restaurants open daily?
No. Bugatti’s and Burger Brothers have published Friday-through-Sunday schedules. Red Lotus is listed daily in the evening, and the Sportsbook provides published daily breakfast and daytime service.
Is the casino smoke-free?
The supplied sources do not establish the casino-floor policy. Smoking and nonsmoking hotel rooms are advertised; confirm gaming arrangements separately.
Does the hotel allow pets?
The published policy prohibits pets, with an exception for service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sources and research note
Specific property, regulator, and municipal sources are linked once at their relevant uses above. The existing official website link is also retained.
Editorial note: This guide uses the supplied research record collected October 12, 2026, and Gamboool’s supplied compilation and calculations. It is not a firsthand visit, customer-review survey, or independently fact-checked article. Counts, schedules, menu prices, and policies can change. Illustrative rates, stay lengths, and meal orders are labeled as assumptions. Ready for user editorial review; publication is a separate action.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.