Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino
Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino is a Boyd Gaming casino resort on the Illinois River in East Peoria, Illinois.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino is a casino resort situated on the Illinois River in East Peoria, Illinois, near the Peoria metropolitan area. The property combines a riverboat casino, hotel accommodation, restaurants, and sports-wagering services, and is one of the established gaming venues serving central Illinois. Its name refers to the former Paradise tavern in East Peoria, giving the property a local rather than nationally standardized brand identity. The casino emerged after Illinois enacted the Riverboat Gambling Act in February 1990. That legislation made Illinois the second state in the United States to legalize riverboat gambling and prompted competing campaigns in Peoria and East Peoria to secure one of the state's initial casino licenses. The East Peoria Riverboat Corporation was formed with Dale Burklund as president, while Burklund also owned the land on which the present complex was developed. The Greater Peoria Riverboat Corporation invested approximately $34 million in the project. The venture reflected the period's riverboat model, in which casinos were associated with vessels and, initially, with scheduled cruising on navigable waterways. Par-A-Dice began operations on November 20, 1991, in Peoria. The original operation used the leased Spirit of Peoria while the permanent East Peoria facilities were being prepared. The casino moved across the Illinois River to East Peoria on May 18, 1993, and its current vessel entered service in June 1994. Early performance demonstrated strong local demand: in its third week, the casino reportedly recorded $660,093 in revenue from 17,160 passengers. During its first years, the vessel cruised the Illinois River as many as ten times per day. A major ownership transition occurred on April 29, 1996, when Boyd Gaming acquired Par-A-Dice for $163 million in cash. The property consequently became part of Boyd's regional casino portfolio, while retaining its local name and market positioning. In June 1999, Illinois removed the requirement that riverboat casinos leave their docks, allowing Par-A-Dice to operate as a permanently docked casino rather than as a primarily cruising attraction. A Coast Guard requirement led the vessel to make a short morning departure again in June 2010, its first such movement in approximately eleven years. Today, the casino provides more than 26,000 square feet of gaming space, with more than 1,000 slot and video-poker machines and 21 table games. The table-game offering includes blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and Texas hold 'em poker. The property also operates a 220-room hotel and a food-and-beverage program that includes William B's Steakhouse, which opened in February 2023 after Boyd's Steakhouse ceased operations. In addition to casino gaming, Par-A-Dice has participated in Illinois sports betting through a FanDuel Sportsbook relationship beginning in 2020 and a BetMGM partnership announced in 2022. The property operates in a competitive Illinois gaming environment. The legalization of storefront video gaming in 2012 expanded the number of gambling locations available to consumers and placed pressure on the traditional casino model. Par-A-Dice has responded within the scope of its established resort format by maintaining a broad gaming floor, hotel facilities, dining, and regulated sports wagering. Its present identity is therefore that of a regional destination casino under Boyd Gaming rather than a standalone river-excursion business.
History
Par-A-Dice developed during the first major expansion of legalized riverboat gambling in Illinois. The Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act was enacted in February 1990, making Illinois the second U.S. state to authorize riverboat casinos. The legislation generated competition between Peoria and neighboring East Peoria, both of which sought to host a licensed casino. The East Peoria Riverboat Corporation was established to pursue the opportunity, with Dale Burklund serving as president and providing a connection to the proposed site through his ownership of the underlying property. Jim Jumer, who owned Jumer's Castle Lodge in Peoria, was among the other applicants for a license. The Greater Peoria Riverboat Corporation invested approximately $34 million in the Par-A-Dice project. The name was adapted from the old Paradise tavern in East Peoria. The casino opened in Peoria on November 20, 1991. Because the permanent East Peoria facilities were not yet ready, the initial operation used the leased Spirit of Peoria. The casino moved across the river to East Peoria on May 18, 1993. Its current vessel was placed into service in June 1994. In its early operating period, the vessel made multiple daily cruises, at one stage sailing on the Illinois River ten times per day. Reported early traffic included 17,160 passengers and $660,093 in revenue during the casino's third week of operation. Boyd Gaming acquired the property from its local investors on April 29, 1996, paying $163 million in cash. The transaction established the long-term ownership structure under which Par-A-Dice became a Boyd regional casino. A significant regulatory change followed in June 1999, when Illinois removed the requirement for riverboat casinos to leave their docks. Par-A-Dice consequently ceased routine cruising and operated primarily as a permanently docked casino. In June 2010, the vessel made a short morning trip again in response to a new annual U.S. Coast Guard requirement, marking its first departure in roughly eleven years. The property evolved from a vessel-centered gambling attraction into a full casino resort. Its current complex includes more than 26,000 square feet of gaming space, more than 1,000 slot and video-poker machines, and 21 table games. Blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and Texas hold 'em poker are among the listed table-game offerings. The associated hotel has 220 rooms, allowing the property to serve both local patrons and overnight visitors. Dining has also changed over time: Boyd's Steakhouse operated at the property until 2023, when William B's Steakhouse opened in February. Par-A-Dice expanded beyond traditional casino gaming as Illinois introduced new forms of regulated gambling. Storefront video gaming became legal in 2012, increasing competition for established casinos by distributing gaming terminals across a much wider network of locations. The property later entered sports betting, partnering with FanDuel Sportsbook in 2020 and BetMGM in 2022. These additions broadened its wagering offer while preserving the Par-A-Dice name and its role as a central Illinois destination. The brand remains an active Boyd Gaming property in East Peoria.
- 2023
William B's Steakhouse opens
[1]William B's Steakhouse opened in February after the former Boyd's Steakhouse operation ended.
- 2022
BetMGM partnership added
[1]The casino partnered with BetMGM to participate in the Illinois sports-betting market.
- 2020
FanDuel sportsbook relationship begins
[1]Par-A-Dice partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook as part of its expansion into sports wagering.
- 2012
Storefront gaming is legalized in Illinois
[1]The spread of storefront video gaming increased competitive pressure on traditional casino properties such as Par-A-Dice.
- 1999
Routine cruising ends
[1]After Illinois eliminated the requirement for riverboat casinos to leave their docks, Par-A-Dice stopped regular cruising.
- 1996
Boyd Gaming becomes owner
[1]Boyd Gaming acquired Par-A-Dice for $163 million in cash.
- 1994
Current vessel enters service
[1]The vessel associated with the present operation was placed into service in June.
- 1993
Operation relocates to East Peoria
[1]Par-A-Dice moved to its current East Peoria location on May 18.
- 1991
Par-A-Dice opens in Peoria
[1]The casino opened on November 20, 1991, initially using the leased Spirit of Peoria.
- 1990
Illinois authorizes riverboat gambling
[1]Illinois enacted the Riverboat Gambling Act, creating the regulatory setting for the Par-A-Dice project and other early state casinos.
Products and positioning
A regional casino resort serving central Illinois, combining dockside riverboat gaming with hotel accommodation, dining, and regulated sports betting under Boyd Gaming ownership.
Casino gaming · 1991
Par-A-Dice Casino
The central gaming operation occupies more than 26,000 square feet and includes more than 1,000 slot and video-poker machines. Its 21 table games include blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and Texas hold 'em poker. The casino began as a cruising riverboat operation but has primarily functioned as a dockside casino since Illinois ended mandatory cruising in 1999.
Hotel accommodation
Par-A-Dice Hotel
The hotel component provides 220 rooms connected with the casino resort. It extends the property beyond local gaming by offering overnight accommodation for visitors to the Peoria-area market and guests using the resort's dining and entertainment facilities.
Sports betting · 2020
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook became a sports-betting partner of Par-A-Dice in 2020. The relationship added regulated sports wagering to the property's traditional casino offer as Illinois developed its sports-betting market.
Sports betting · 2022
BetMGM Sportsbook
Par-A-Dice partnered with BetMGM in 2022 to enter an additional sports-betting arrangement in Illinois. The partnership represents the property's effort to broaden its wagering services beyond slots and table games.
Restaurant · 2023
William B's Steakhouse
William B's Steakhouse is the resort's current named steakhouse concept. It opened in February 2023 after Boyd's Steakhouse, the previous steakhouse operation at Par-A-Dice, ceased operating.
Brand decisions
2023
Replacement of the steakhouse conceptOtherBackground
Boyd's Steakhouse operated at the resort until 2023.
Action taken
William B's Steakhouse opened in February 2023.
Aftermath
The resort continued offering a named steakhouse while updating its dining identity.
2022
Additional sportsbook partnership with BetMGMProduct launchBackground
The property continued developing its sports-wagering presence in Illinois.
Action taken
Par-A-Dice partnered with BetMGM.
Aftermath
The casino added another branded sports-betting relationship to its portfolio.
2020
Expansion into sports betting with FanDuelProduct launchBackground
Illinois's regulated sports-betting market created an opportunity for established casinos to add wagering products.
Action taken
Par-A-Dice partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Aftermath
Sports betting became an additional wagering category alongside the casino's existing gaming floor.
1999
Transition to a permanently docked casinoStrategyBackground
Illinois removed the requirement that riverboat casinos leave their docks.
Action taken
Par-A-Dice stopped routine river cruises and operated primarily as a dockside casino.
Aftermath
The property became more dependent on its stationary casino, hotel, dining, and other resort amenities than on scheduled vessel excursions.
1996
Sale to Boyd GamingM&ABackground
Par-A-Dice had been developed and operated by local investors through the Greater Peoria Riverboat Corporation.
Action taken
Boyd Gaming acquired the casino for $163 million in cash on April 29, 1996.
Aftermath
The property became part of Boyd Gaming's regional casino portfolio while continuing to operate under the Par-A-Dice name.
Acquisition price. $163 million (April 29, 1996)
Recent events
- 2023
William B's Steakhouse opens[1]
Product launch
William B's Steakhouse opened at the resort in February 2023, replacing the former Boyd's Steakhouse dining concept.
- 2022
Par-A-Dice partners with BetMGM[1]
Product launch
The property entered an additional Illinois sports-betting relationship with BetMGM.
- 2020
Par-A-Dice adds sports betting through FanDuel[1]
Product launch
The casino began partnering with FanDuel Sportsbook as Illinois developed its regulated sports-betting market.
- 1996
Boyd Gaming acquires Par-A-Dice[1]
M&A
Boyd Gaming purchased the property for $163 million in cash, bringing the locally developed casino into a national regional-gaming portfolio.
- 1993
Casino moves to East Peoria[1]
Other
Par-A-Dice moved across the Illinois River from Peoria to its current East Peoria location on May 18, 1993.
- 1991
Par-A-Dice opens in Peoria[1]
Other
The casino began operations on November 20, 1991, initially operating in Peoria while its permanent East Peoria facilities were being prepared.
Sources2 sources
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