Rivers Casino emphasizes team bonding

For employees at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, working in an environment that’s bustling with activity and excitement is more than just fun and games. The workplace culture creates a positive, productive atmosphere that draws the team closer together.

“Everything we do is supported by our four fundamentals as a casino: fun, service, integrity and respect,” said Corey Wise, senior vice president and general manager of Rivers Casino. “That is shown through things we do through employment, how we hire, how we recruit and how we treat our team members here. And at the end of a day, we are a casino. We do want to have fun.”

Rivers is ranked No. 6 among large employers in the Chicago Tribune’s 2021 list of Top Workplaces, as measured by consultancy Energage in Exton, Pennsylvania.

The 147,000-square-foot facility houses over 1,000 of the newest slot machines on the market, along with over 70 table games, numerous dining options, a multipurpose sports bar, a nightclub and meeting space. The casino, the state’s busiest, launched its BetRivers sportsbook in March 2020 and is in the midst of an expansion that will increase the number of gaming positions.

The company offers a competitive benefits package that includes health care, dental, life and disability insurance and immediate 401(k) vesting. Lunch meals at the employee dining room only cost a dollar.

“We wanted people to get their sustenance and be well taken care of when they are here, and our team members take great advantage of that benefit,” Wise said. “All levels eat together in our employee dining room.”

Tuition reimbursement has benefited employees over the years. And for employees who like to work out regularly, the company will pay for gym memberships.

The company’s workplace culture has had a big impact on Lily Dining’s overall job satisfaction and, in the long term, her career path.

She started out in 2012 as a food and beverage supervisor and was able to transfer to her current cocktail server position in 2018. That move has allowed Dining to direct more energy toward her teenage daughter, who has a disability.

“The managers are very flexible and will work with us,” she said. “There’s a point where you don’t want to bring in your personal life, but at the same time you can talk to them and just explain. The door is always open.”

Dining added that Rivers shows appreciation for a job well done. She said, “If I go above and beyond, managers will come up to me and say ‘good job, a guest complimented you.’ Paperwork goes to HR and they put out a huge email to all the managers so they know who did a good job. And they see you in the hallway and say congratulations. Word gets around.”

Rivers takes a fun approach to team building. The company’s 10-year anniversary was celebrated with a series of activities, including Rubik’s Cube contests, recognition awards and family photo opportunities.

The theme “come on, get happy” reflected the company’s appreciation for the team members.

“We consider Rivers Casino a big family,” said Christine Rury, vice president of human resources. “Always top of mind is behavioral health and their mental well-being.”

Rivers’ Fun Committee consists of managers, supervisors and team members. The group’s quest is simple: create fun events for employees.

“They come up with some creative ideas when they are planning the events,” Rury said. “It might be a pet-rock decorating contest or just something to keep people engaged and have fun. And the ideas are from our team members, what they want to do.”

Free shuttle buses are available for commuting employees. “They make it very easy for people who don’t have cars,” Dining said.

Pasquale Marino takes pride in working as a table games supervisor at the bustling casino.

“What I love about my job is I get to interact with my team members and guests,” he said. “I’m a very good listener, and that goes a long way in the business of a casino.”

Working in such a positive atmosphere motivates him to perform to his highest ability.

“You’ve got to have a great positive attitude,” Marino said. “If you have a positive attitude in the casino, you are going to attract a lot of positive vibes from everywhere. People are just jumping up for joy when they hit a jackpot.”

He added, “When someone has just hit a nice number on the roulette table, it is just great to see them having such a good time. And that’s what we’re here for, making sure that our guests are having a great time.”

Devin Maddox, vice president and general counsel at Rivers, said the organization recognizes that charity starts at home.

Rivers helps employees bear the cost of sending their children to college by providing a scholarship program. The Rivers Casino Foundation aids employees and their immediate family members. So far, over $4 million in scholarships has been given to team members.

“A lot of our team members are so happy that a big weight is off their shoulder in regards to the amount of money that Rivers Casino gives,” said Marino, who plans to put in an application for his daughter. “It’s a tremendous benefit that the company has for our employees.”

Rivers strives to live up to its commitment to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce.

“What we want to do is make sure each and every team member feels appreciated and accepted for who they are as individuals,” said Maddox, who also spearheads the diversity, equity and inclusion task force and the Rivers Casino Charitable Foundation. “We recognize them, we celebrate them, we honor them and their contributions based on their uniqueness, their background, their culture, their experiences in life.”

The company partnered with the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago to donate money for their Black History program.

“We had volunteers from the casino, our team members, go there to help usher and support those programs,” Maddox said.

The company worked with the Center on Halsted to celebrate LBGQT pride by having team members help serve food to senior citizens. Rivers also celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Women’s History month.

Maddox said, “Those are just some of the things we’ve done to recognize diversity here.”

The Rivers charitable foundation also donates over $1 million a year to nonprofit organizations in the Chicago area.

One wouldn’t expect anything less from a company whose slogan is winning together.