This was achieved by installing water bladders underneath the building. Illinois law requires that gambling floors be over water, but does not require that they be located on a navigable river.

In 2014, Harrah's was given permission from the Illinois Gaming Board to move its gaming floor from its riverboat to the property's convention center. The property became part of Harrah's Entertainment (later Caesars Entertainment) with its 2000 acquisition of Players International. It opened in 1993 as Players Island, a joint venture between Players International and show business impresario Merv Griffin as one of the state's first casinos. Harrah's Metropolis is a riverboat casino located on the Ohio River in Metropolis, Illinois.