The muffled jangles of the rolling dice and the mechanistic hum of the revolving slot machines accompanied by an array of invitingly bright lights draw Andrew Kelley to riverboat casinos at least twice a month.

Just the thought of having a chance of winning some money is thrilling, Kelley, a senior in forestry from Harrisburg, said. But I only go when I have a little extra cash.

His favorite of all, Players Casino in Metropolis, has 20,000 square feet of gaming, including 44 table games and more than 700 video poker and slot machines.

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For two years, the slot machines have been Kelley’s favorite game ever since he won $1,200.

It allowed me to spend a little extra cash, he said. I bought my girlfriend an engagement ring. I seem to be pretty lucky on the slot machines.

Kim Lang, media coordinator for the Players Casino, said the slot machines are the most popular among the different features of the riverboat.

Everyone likes the slots because you just put a coin in and get the results right away, Lang said. You sit back, relax and let the machine do all the work. And it’s fun.

The Players Casino, which has a cruise that stretches eight acres along the Ohio River, also offers entertainment. Magicians and jugglers, as well as celebrities such as Wayne Newton, the Neville Brothers and Tanya Tucker have taken the cruise.

Peter Zemitzsch, consultant for the Players Casino in St. Louis, said the riverboat in Metropolis is in the next level of riverboat development and is adding another bar and grill and a lounge.

But Zemitzsch said his St. Louis boat also has much to offer. He said since the March opening of the St. Louis Players Casino, visitors have been able to experience something a little different than a simple cruise.

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It is very different from the other casino because this boat doesn’t move, Zemitzsch said. People tend to like that because it allows them to come and go as they please.

About 3 million people have boarded the riverboat that is equipped with a 300-room hotel.

With the world’s largest collection of living coral reef in a 3,000 gallon aquarium sitting in the middle of the casino, a 20-foot tall waterfall and an interactive game with surrounding palm trees called Hurricane Zone, the riverboat carries a tropical island theme.

It’s a great success, Zemitzsch said. It’s like a mini-vacation on an island. It is pretty dramatic and more like Las Vegas than most riverboats.

Accommodating nearly 4,000 people daily for six years, the Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria offers fun 24 hours a day.

It has been so popular over the years, said Michael Facenda, the marketing director for the casino. And it’s better than going bowling or to the movies.

The casino has numerous games, including Black Jack, Craps, Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Mini-Baccarat and more than 1,000 slot machines.

The casino also has the largest slot jackpot in Illinois, which currently is more than $500,000.

Facenda said people gamble at the riverboat because they get out of the house for a chance to win a few dollars. He remembers giving one gambler the largest check ever from the Par-A-Dice Casino.

From only a few tokens, this 22-year-old college student won $652,000, Facenda said. I actually handed him the check. The excitement level of a person who wins $1,000 to a greater amount is about the same. People enjoy winning, so they come here.

Because there are no limits on cash winnings, Facenda said gambling problems tend to arise.

It is an adult form of entertainment, Facenda said. It is just like drugs. If you don’t know how to stop, you will lose control.

Zemitzsch said he witnesses several gambling addictions at the Players Casino. He said that if people would learn self-control, losing money would not be a problem.

It’s amazing how winning attracts so many people, he said. There are always people who have an addiction problem. But for 99 percent of people, it is an exciting and affordable form of entertainment. People just have to control themselves.

Kelley said he controls his gambling because he has never lost a large amount of money.

You can cash checks and they (casinos) have ATM’s, so I can see how people lose all their money, he said. The most I’ve ever lost is about a hundred bucks. But, people should just lick their wounds and go home.

For entertainment, casinos are the place to go, Kelley said. He said he would rather spend his money in hopes of winning more than to waste it on other forms of entertainment.

Usually people spend about $15 to $20 on drinks, and I would rather go gamble to win more money, Kelley said. People need to go because it is so much fun. That’s how I justify it.

Players Paradise in Metropolis:Take Rt. 13 east to I-57 south. Take a left on Highway 24 heading southeast and a right on U.S. 45 heading west.

Players Paradise in St. Louis:Go north on U.S. 51. Go northwest on Highway 15. Head west on I-64 and get off the ramp and turn right on South Vandeventer Avenue heading north. Then take a left on Laclede Avenue.

Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria:Take I-55 north to I-155 north to I-74 west. Exit on 95B. Drive 1/2 mile to Blackjack Boulevard and turn left.