Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
The Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa is a large casino serving patrons in Missouri and the surrounding area. It offers more than 60,000 square feet of gambling space and thousands of games to play. Part of that space is devoted to a private high-limit room, which offers slots and table games to players desiring a little more privacy and to play for higher stakes.
The Argosy Casino sits along a bend of the Missouri River in Riverside, a suburb of Kansas City. The venue is located in the western portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area at (roughly) the southeast corner of Missouri Route 9 and Interstate 635. It is easily accessible to Kansas City residents via either of those thoroughfares or from the Kansas side of the river via the US-69 Missouri River Bridge.
Along with the casino, Argosy offers patrons lodging options, dining, and a spa location for relaxing. You must be 21 or older to play the games at the Argosy Casino.
Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa details
- Address: 777 NW Argosy Casino Parkway, Riverside, MO 64150
- Operator: Penn National Gaming
- Phone: 816-746-3100
- Hours: 24 hours a day
- Casino games: Slots, video poker, table games
- Sportsbook: No
- Poker room: No
Casino games at Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
While Argosy Casino is not the largest gambling facility in Missouri, it is certainly not a one-room operation, either. There are plenty of games to play and plenty of things to do. There is also plenty of casino competition nearby, as both Harrah’s and Bally’s are only a few miles south on the Missouri River.
The chief draws for players to Argosy are its setting and its refinements. The casino is situated in an aesthetically pleasing location. However, the list of available games is notable as well, even if there aren’t quite as many as you’ll find at some of the other casinos in Missouri. Here’s a sample of what games you’ll find.
Slot machines
There are more slot machines at Argosy than any other type of game, as is the case at most casinos. In fact, company literature suggests that there are more than 1,500 machines, and filings with the Missouri Gaming Commission certify that at least 1,100 of them are in service.
There are hundreds of penny slots available, but you can also bet as much as $25 per spin, and there are more than 100 machines with $1 denominations. Here are some of the top slots you may encounter:
- Double Diamond
- Double Easy Money
- Golden Chariots
- Great Moai
- Lock it Link: Huff N’ Puff
- Triple Cash
Argosy also offers video poker machines and electronic table games. In other words, you can find plenty of ways to play roulette or craps without having to wait for anyone to make up their minds.
Table games
Along with the many slot machines, Argosy is also home to numerous table games. There are more than two dozen available, and some of them are more esoteric choices than you’ll find at other casinos. Naturally, you can play some version of the following games most of the time:
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Mini-Baccarat
- Pai Gow Poker
- Roulette
However, you can also take a swing at several other, rarer table games. In those cases, we strongly recommend that you either watch the game for a few minutes to figure out how to play it or ask the dealer and/or pit boss for some instructions. These games aren’t necessarily to be avoided, but it’s a good idea to know what you’re betting before you have money on the line. Here are some examples:
- Cajun Stud Poker
- DJ Wild Poker
- Fortune 7 (baccarat)
- No Craps Craps
- World Tour Poker
Several of these games are available in the high-limit room. If you want to play at higher stakes and are concerned about placing wagers of that size on the casino floor, simply ask for directions to the salon.
Unfortunately, there is no live poker room at the Argosy. If you prefer to play poker, your closest options are Harrah’s Kansas City or Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, across the border in Kansas. Each of those locations is about 20 minutes away, depending on the traffic.
Free-to-play games at MyChoice Casino
If you do not want to travel to Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa in Riverside, you can still take part in some of the slots, table games, keno, and video poker from the comfort of your home. MyChoice Casino is the social casino site from the owner of the Argosy, Penn National Gaming.
You can play at this social casino without spending a dime. Each day you log in, you will receive an increasing number of tokens that you can use to play any game on the site. Popular slot titles on MyChoice Casino include China Shores, Jumping Jack Cash, and Big Prize Bubblegum. There are also options for playing roulette, blackjack, baccarat, keno, and 11 types of video poker.
It is possible to purchase coins for play on MyChoice Casino. It is also possible to sign up for a myChoice Rewards account if you like. However, there is no conversion or redemption of coins that you win on MyChoice Casino for tier credits or MyChoice Rewards points.
Is sports betting coming to Argosy Casino?
The Missouri General Assembly has considered legislation to authorize MO sports betting but has yet to pass any. However, if Missouri does manage to legalize sports betting, Argosy Casino figures to be a location for a sportsbook.
Parent company Penn National Gaming has already launched its Barstool Sportsbook app in multiple states across the country. Should sports betting come to Missouri, Penn National would likely be eager to launch a sportsbook at Argosy, as well.
Amenities at Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
Along with all of the gambling options at Argosy Casino, there are also plenty of options for the members of your group who don’t want to spend time on the casino floor. Obviously, you can take advantage of the hotel at Argosy if you need a place to rest. There are rooms with one king bed, two queen beds, and suites.
There are also several dining options at the Argosy Casino in Kansas City. There are five restaurants, including The Journey: Wood-Fired Steaks (a fine dining establishment), 99 Hops House, and Zoe’s Coffee Shop. There are additional food options for high rollers in the VIP lounge, provided you are a guest of the casino.
In addition to food, you can also find opportunities to see music events through the Boozy Beats Concert Series. Argosy also has space for meetings and weddings.
MyChoice Rewards
Because Argosy Casino is part of Penn National Gaming, players who frequent the Riverside location are eligible to take part in Penn National’s loyalty program, MyChoice Rewards.
This program allows you to earn points for your play at any Penn National location and convert those points into hotel stays, food coupons, and slot play. You can even use your status within the program to receive cruises on Norwegian Cruise Lines, guaranteed comped hotel rooms, or a $500 annual travel reimbursement to a Penn National location.
Like most rewards programs, MyChoice Rewards has multiple tiers:
- Choice
- Advantage
- Preferred
- Elite
- Owners Club
At the highest levels, the rewards can be quite impressive. Elite and Owners Club members receive a complimentary multi-night stay at a Penn National location every year, complete with a comped hotel room, hundreds of dollars in restaurant credits, and money for playing slots. There are even options to lease luxury vehicles for an entire year.
It is free to join myChoice Rewards. Upgrading your status is probably not a good reason to play on its own, but getting a bit of the VIP treatment along the way can be a nice added benefit to your time at Argosy Casino.
Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa history
Argosy Casino first opened for business in June 1994 as the first riverboat casino to debut in the Kansas City area. It operated as the Argosy V until Penn National Gaming purchased it. Given how often casino properties can change hands, its corporate history has been remarkably stable.
Like all Missouri riverboat casinos, Argosy began as an on-water vessel in one of Missouri’s main waterways. The land-based pavilion, replete with food options and parking, did not open until 1996. Management renovated the casino floor in 2003 and later added the hotel in 2005, the same year Penn National bought the property.
Since 2005, Argosy Casino has been a steady fixture of the Kansas City casino scene. Although its offerings are not terribly groundbreaking, the Mediterranean-themed property still holds enough draw to bring in millions of dollars each month.