Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming double down on education

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Congratulations, Class of 2025. Commencement season is here, with colleges and universities across the U.S. celebrating new graduates and their achievements.

But with the rewards of a college degree often come the long-term burdens of student debt. Higher education analysts estimate it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years to repay student loans, depending on the amount borrowed and the repayment plan.

To help lighten that load, Rush Street Gaming is offering a head start — with no strings attached. Eligible full-time Team Members at Rivers Casino with qualifying student loans can receive up to $1,000 per year toward their student debt, fully paid by the company. Unlike other programs that require employee contributions, this is entirely a benefit — essentially free money toward their loans.

"Education is invaluable, but debt can be stressful," says Dawn Reynolds Pettit, chief human resources officer of Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino. "We’re proud to help Team Members crush those college loans, achieve their financial goals sooner and invest in their future. As an industry leader in offering this benefit, we’re committed to helping our Team Members make their student loan debt a thing of the past."

More than 100 Team Members signed up for Rivers Casino’s student debt repayment program within a week of its launch, and enrollment has steadily continued.

New Bill Keena Scholarship Supports Rivers Casino Team Members and Their Families
In addition to student debt repayment, Rivers Casino has introduced the Bill Keena Honorary Scholarship Program, named in recognition of the company’s recently retired longtime chief operating officer.

The Keena Scholarship supports Team Members in managerial roles or below — and their dependents — who plan to pursue higher education at a college or vocational school. The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest provider of scholarships and other education support services for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals.

The Keena Scholarship is an addition to the robust scholarships already offered by Rivers Casinos, which collectively have awarded over $7 million to more than 500 students to date.

For many recipients, the scholarships have been a game changer. One shared, "It eases my mind going into the school year with less stress." Another noted, "It pushes me to work harder this upcoming semester, challenge myself and accomplish all of my goals." A third recipient expressed, "This scholarship feels like an extension of the gratitude I receive every day from my team for my work and dedication. The support has made me so excited to continue growing my career here."

"Bill Keena remains a staunch advocate for Rivers and Rush Street Team Members, supporting both their personal goals and professional growth," said Tim Drehkoff, CEO of Rush Street Gaming and Rivers Casino. "This scholarship honors Bill’s legacy and our commitment to Team Members. We’re proud to offer this scholarship alongside the others available to our Team Members and their families. Our mission is to support the growth and enrichment of lives, careers and communities."

Tuition Assistance and Paid Dealer School Training
Part- and full-time Team Members at Rivers Casino are eligible for up to $5,000 in annual tuition assistance. This benefit supports those pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies and may cover tuition, fees and books.

In addition, candidates accepted into Rivers Casino’s Table Games Dealer School receive training and certification at no cost. Other career-building opportunities include on-the-job training, job transfers and internal promotions.

All Rivers Casino locations, including The Landing Hotel, Riversuites and Rush Street’s corporate office, are proud to offer these ongoing education benefits, along with 401(k) programs with employer matching, comprehensive and affordable health insurance, competitive wages with market-based increases, and more.