Argosy Casino Alton celebrated its 30th year on the riverfront Friday.
More than 450 passengers were on board that first night — Sept. 24, 1991 — when the Alton Belle Casino riverboat opened. Former state Rep. Jim McPike, D-Alton, pulled the first lever of a slot machine and said, “The Belle will breathe new life into Alton.”
Since then the casino has taken a few deep breaths of its own. It has had name and ownership changes, introduced new games and gambling options, and handled not one but two historic Mississippi River floods.
“We’ve come a long way in 30 years,” said Teresa Jones, a 30-year employee of the casino.
