Grand Victoria still evolving after 10 years

By Tom O'Konowitz
Daily Herald Staff Writer

For Al and Minnie Kamradt of Roselle, Sundays wouldn't be the same without church and a trip to the casino. At least twice a week, and almost always after weekly worship, the retired couple heads to Elgin's Grand Victoria Casino for a continental breakfast and, of course, gambling. The Kamradts have visited other Illinois casinos and more in Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa, but the Grand Victoria has been their favorite since it opened 10 years ago today. They credit the variety of games, the free admission, friendly staff, complimentary valet and, of course, the hundreds of dollars the casino has given them for

Gary Gordon, 58, of Schaumburg, plays blackjack at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, which remains the most popular casino in Illinois.

being VIP players. Some other Illinois casinos charge for parking and admission, and not all are as generous with their comps.

Grand Victoria officials declined to say just what perks they offer their VIPs, but the Kamradts say they've been given enough cash to buy a television and a suit.

"They're pretty generous with their comps," Al said.

What's offered at Grand Victoria Gambling 22 hours each day 1,072 slot machines 41 table games 41,000 square feet of gambling space 1,600 employees No admission or parking fees

The Kamradts are not alone in favoring the Grand Victoria, considering nearly 2.8 million people visit it every year. The second busiest Illinois riverboat, Harrah's Casino in Joliet, saw 2.38 million visitors in 2003. And several times readers of a popular gambling magazine have ranked it the best riverboat in the country. Adam Fine, editor-in-chief of Las Vegas-based Casino Player magazine, says the reasons are pretty obvious.

"Grand Victoria, of all the riverboats, provides the most authentic gaming experience," Fine said, noting it's one of the biggest with most of its games on one floor. "What struck me when I visited it was that it really felt like a Las Vegas casino. It was a very comfortable experience - I felt much more at home than I did at any other riverboat in the area."

At its anniversary, the Grand Victoria is one of the most spacious and luxurious riverboats in the region.

The recently redone Hollywood Casino in Aurora has 53,000 square feet of gambling space compared to the Grand Victoria's 41,000 square feet.

Visitors first enter a large pavilion with a 55-foot-high atrium, pass by a clock tower honoring the one that stood atop the Elgin National Watch Co. for decades and several eateries, including a buffet, a steakhouse, a snack bar and sports bar.

An aroma therapy system pumps the enticing fragrance of coconut spice into the air.

A movie theater and visitors bureau office that once were housed in the pavilion since have shut down.

Aboard the riverboat, which is 400-feet long and 114-feet wide, guests are greeted by classy surroundings and a design aimed at mimicking the traditional casino feel. Guests have more than 1,200 gambling positions from which to choose.

That includes 1,072 slot machines and 41 table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, three card poker and craps. The poker tables are the newest at the Grand Victoria.

Open 22 hours a day from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., the Grand Victoria boasts the ability for players to now use a card instead of tokens and new weekend entertainment.

The newest slot games replace old ones frequently, and there is more video gambling on the riverboat today than a decade ago, and often introducing new promotions, such as this month's $500,000 Cash Extravaganza, meant to celebrate the casino's anniversary by giving out jackpots of up to $10,000 each.

"You can always expect Grand Victoria Casino to implement improvements and enhancements to our property and product to benefit our customers," marketing director Michelle Bell said in a written response to Daily Herald questions.

Casino Player magazine readers this year decided the Grand Victoria offers the best blackjack, roulette and valet parking in the Chicago region, including much of Illinois and Indiana. Strictly Slots magazine awarded it first place for the Chicago region in the categories of luckiest slots, best slot hosts, best cocktail service, best reel slots, best $5 slots, best quarter slots, best high-end slot lounge and best gourmet restaurant for Buckinghams Steakhouse.