If you're playing slots at the Rivers Casino on a Steelers game day, be prepared to drop at least $50. And that's just in the parking garage.

The casino is planning to charge $50 to park in its massive 3,800-space garage during Steelers games and other big events at Heinz Field. That is expected to start Thursday with the Steelers' first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.

On game days, customers at the casino, which is located near the stadium, must bet at least $80 in order to get the fee waived. If someone bets less than $80, he or she still must pay the full $50 parking fee.

By comparison, reserved parking in lots near Heinz Field is $30 for Steelers regular season games and $40 for playoff games. Cash parking in non-reserved lots is $25 a game.

Casino officials said yesterday they set a $50 fee for Steelers and University of Pittsburgh football games and other big events at Heinz Field in an effort to preserve spaces for their patrons.

"This will ensure that people who come to plays slots will have access to our facility," Rivers spokesman Dan Fee said. "From our perspective, there are a limited number of days during which this will be an issue. Our goal has to be to make sure our patrons have an enjoyable time and get to the casino."

Casino officials said they do not believe asking players to bet at least $80 on game days to get free parking is unrealistic. Christie Barron, vice president of marketing, said that over a six-hour period most people will bet at least that much on slot machines.

She said any free play awarded by the casino counts toward the $80. The casino will keep track of the betting through player cards issued to customers.

"It's a very doable number for someone to receive complimentary parking," she said.

Rivers officials said they intend to re-evaluate the fee and the amount of wagering required to get free parking after the first preseason game.

"We're going to experiment and see what works," Chief Executive Officer Greg Carlin said. "The goal is that our customers, our players, they shouldn't have to pay for parking. But if you're going to the Steeler game and you want to use our lot, then you should have to pay."

On other days in August, parking will be free. After that, the casino likely will charge a daily fee to prevent parking from being gobbled up by commuters. At the same time, it wants to find a way to give free parking to customers, Mr. Carlin said.

The casino completed the last of two test runs yesterday evening and likely will get the go ahead today from the state Gaming Control Board for its noon grand opening tomorrow.