When it first opened, a common refrain around Metropolis was that it will never stay.

Story continues below

But on Thursday, Feb. 23, “the boat” and riverboat gambling marked 30 years at mile marker 944 on the Ohio River. From its beginnings as Players Riverboat Casino to its current status as Harrah’s Metropolis Casino & Hotel, there’s been a lot of water under the bridge since that 1993 opening, and Sherry Wessel has seen almost all of it.

Harrah’s Metropolis will celebrate its 30th anniversary throughout the year.

“We have additional funding to be sharing with nonprofits this year in honor of the 30th. I’m excited about it,” said Wessel, the operation’s senior vice president and general manager.