riverboat casino locations

A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

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Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.” To: “Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions like 1xbet India online casino, are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

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5 Top Mississippi Riverboat Casinos of Louisiana

• Bojan Lipovic
• March 12, 2021

The mighty Mississippi River is the jugular vein of the Unites States, connecting its northern and southern parts.  The river is also renowned for its legendary riverboat casinos that used to traverse its banks from Minnesota to Louisiana.

The Mississippi River represents one of the most important topographic features in North America.  In its entirety, it zigzags through ten states and covers an impressive distance of 2,320 miles.  The river birthed some significant settlements along its winding flow, including St Paul, St Louis, Baton Rouge, La Crosse and New Orleans, all of which were once directly connected by stately riverboats that traversed the Mississippi.

However, these riverboats were more than just modes of transport, with many of them housing plush apartments and glitzy casinos, since gambling on land was strictly forbidden at the time.  As a result, the legend of riverboat casinos was born, the allure of which lives on to this very day.

Back in the 19 th century, the slow-cruising riverboats attracted a colourful spectre of guests, as they lazily steamed down the river and the bayou waterways.  While the Louisiana riverboats no longer cruise along the Mississippi on gambling adventures, you can still relive the experience of floating casinos by embarking on one of Louisiana’s moored riverboat gambling houses.

Here are the top five riverboat casinos of Louisiana that you should not miss:

1. Isle of Capri Casino

The Isle of Capri Casino has been moored in Louisiana’s Lake Charles, where it still floats amidst its former grandeur.  The boat is decked with 11 poker tables, 34 tables with other games and an impressive 1,175 slots.

For those searching for gastronomical delights, restaurants like Otis Steakhouse, Lone Wolf Express, Farmer’s Pick Buffet and Henry’s Bar & Grill offer a sumptuous mixture of Cajun, creole and French colonial cuisines.  And, after a good dinner, what better way to end your evening than by listening to a performance of good old Louisiana swamp pop.

2. Treasure Chest Casino

To find the Treasure Chest Casino riverboat, head off to the pristine waters of Lake Pontchartrain.  The lake shares its shores with New Orleans itself, so you can enjoy the Big Easy while raiding your treasure chest on the lake.

The Treasure Chest Casino is a classic riverboat oozing old-world charm, with plush interiors, jazz bands and good chow. The gaming floor, which is open until 5 am each morning, houses 36 tables that include blackjack, roulette, craps and the ever-present Mississippi stud poker.

3 Sam’s Town

Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino riverboat is moored on the banks of the Red River in Shreveport.  The boat follows an Old West theme, complementing the Southern charm of its host city.  The riverboat itself forms part of a larger casino complex, so you can pick and choose your gambling flavours.

There’re craps, baccarat, roulette and poker tables, as well as progressive slots that are open 24 hours a day.  And, when it’s time to sink your teeth into some good grub, William B Steakhouse or Smokey Joe Café are there to cater to your craving.

4. Amelia Belle

Amelia Belle is a grand old lady of the river, exuding glitz and glamour across its four floors.  This classy ship is docked in the bayou town of Amelia and offers a good selection of Texas hold’em, Mississippi stud and 3-card pokers.  For food and drinks, pay a visit to the Bayou Café or the renowned all-you-can-eat Cajun Buffet.

5. Hollywood Casino

There’s no shortage of Hollywoods in the US, with the best-known ones located in California and Florida.  Not surprisingly, there’s a Hollywood in Louisiana, too, moored on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in Baton Rouge.  The boat is peppered with over a thousand slot machines, as well as dozens of table games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, 3-card-poker and Cajun stud poker.

The Hollywood Casino riverboat combines Hollywood’s allure with Las Vegas’s ostentatiousness, all mixed with a Southern flair. To tantalise your tastebuds, indulge at the Epic Buffet, grab a Cajun snack at the Take Two Deli, or hobnob at the Celebrity Grill. And there’s the champagne brunch each Sunday, or the monthly Jazz lunch, to celebrate the sights and sounds of the Big Easy and the birthplace of cool.

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Besides polishing his SEO skills, Bojan has a penchant for creative writing. With over half a decade of experience in the online gambling industry under his belt, his written take on the latest news from the Canadian and global gambling industries is an indispensable source of information for the CASINOenquirer team. Bojan’s primary goal is to ensure that players get a superior experience through the top-notch content that he shares.

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Indiana Riverboat Casinos

Riverboat Casinos in Indiana offer players a one of a kind unique gambling experience.

Indiana, like many other states, has recently expanded its gambling laws.  The Hoosier State has a rich history of gambling, with Indiana horse racing dating back to the 1800s. In Indiana, sports betting is legal, and residents can download mobile sports betting apps to wager on their favorite teams and sports on the go. For example, BetRivers Indiana is one of the online gambling sites currently available in the Hoosier State. As well as betting on sport, Indiana residents can now participate in casino gambling, but only at sweeps casinos.

In terms of casino gaming, there is also legislation that Sen. Jon Ford has introduced to bring new Indiana casino laws to fruition. The Indiana legislature accepted the proposals. Ford predicts that online casinos could bring in between $45-60 million  worth of tax revenue every year. For now, players can only access sweepstakes casinos in Indiana , with sites like Chumba Casino , Pulsz , BetRivers.net , and games like LuckyLand paving the way. These sites will still offer your favorite casino game, but you will be playing for virtual currency instead of real money.

The legalization of iGaming would build on the revenue generated by current land-based casinos in Indiana . Indiana gambling law authorizes ten land-based or riverboat casinos on the Ohio River or Lake Michigan, one physical casino in French Lick, and racinos at the two horse tracks in the state.

The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all gambling activity in the state. Whether you are playing at Caesars Indiana, Indiana Grand, or a table game at an online casino, you are gambling in a safe environment. This is the case for a land based casino and an online site.

This page covers everything you need to know about Riverboat casinos in Indiana. Whether you love slot machines, classic table games, or you fancy yourself as a pro at poker, these riverboat casino locations provide all of that and more.

Indiana’s Riverboat Casinos Background

Legal gambling in Indiana began in 1988 when voters approved a state lottery. The first. Consequently, the first lottery tickets went on sale in October the following year. The momentum for casinos in Indiana grew, and the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act passed in 1993. This opened up the possibility for the construction of ten riverboat casinos, the first of which opened in 1995.

Recently, the largest riverboat casino in the world set sail for a new home. The  Caesars Southern Indiana,  formerly known as the Horseshoe Southern Indiana riverboat casino, moved locations to Alabama. The casino called the riverboat its home for over 20 years; however, in 2015, Indiana passed a law permitting riverboat casinos to move from the water to land-based properties.

Players in Indiana can now access games of chance at a mixture of tribal, land-based, and riverboat casinos in addition to playing slots at horse tracks. You don’t need to travel to Las Vegas to enjoy live dealers or the latest slot machine. You can experience all of that in Central and Northwest Indiana. You are eligible to play the lottery at track events if you are 18; however, the legal gambling age in Indiana to visit a casino is 21 .

Ohio River Casinos

If you are looking for a Cincinnati riverboat casino, unfortunately, riverboat gambling is illegal in the Buckeye State. However, neighboring Indiana is has a thriving casino resort scene. Some of the most prominent riverboat casinos on the Ohio River are a short drive from Cincinnati.

Belterra Casino Indiana

The Belterra is the leading gambling boat in Indiana, boasting two floors of the newest and most entertaining slot machines and table games. With the addition of side bets, whether you are gambling in Indianapolis, Louisville, or Cincinnati, players tend to choose Belterra more often than not.

Some of the games include  Three Card Poker  and  Caribbean Stud . In addition to the numerous games and entertainment, the Belterra Hotel and Resort offers spa treatments, golf, and indoor shopping. If you want a break from the buzz of the casino floor, the full-service spa provides numerous treatments to recharge your batteries.

When you visit Belterra, you will discover retail sports betting courtesy of the FanDuel sportsbook among the 42,000 square feet of gaming space.

Hollywood Casino Barge

The Hollywood Casino was formerly known as Argosy Casino. This riverboat gambling facility and hotel is located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It boasts 270,000 square feet of fun and entertainment, including  150,000 square feet of gaming space. There are 88  table games to choose from, in addition to 41 poker tables. The casino has one of the best poker rooms in Indiana .

If slots are more your thing, there are over 3,000 titles for you to play at your pleasure. Make sure you check the casino schedule to see what is in store regarding entertainment. The Hollywood casino lives up to its name, bringing in several entertainment acts every night. The onsite hotel provides luxury accommodation and includes restaurants such as the Final Cut Steakhouse.

Sports betting fans can also place bets via the retail sportsbook located in the casino, provided by the Barstool Sportsbook .

Grand Victoria Casino & Resort

The Rising Star Casino Resort is known for its excellent links golf course. This beautifully designed course features panoramic views of the Ohio River Valley . If you want some gambling action, the live casino floor has over 1,000 slot machines comprising fun themed reels. Additionally, the resort has over 200 hotel rooms, including suites, complete with an indoor pool.

If you want to relax after a day of gambling, the Grand Theatre offers superb entertainment, with favorites such as David Cassidy and Huey Lewis and the News having performed there.

Caesars sportsbook is available for players in the casino looking to wager on their favorite sports and team.

Lake Michigan Casinos

The Ameristar Casino Hotel is one of the most convenient land-based properties in Indiana. It is 25 miles from Chicago and close to Interstate highways. Additionally, if you are a Chicago resident, you can take advantage of a free shuttle bus service that runs from the city center. If you are a fan of Baccarat, you are in luck, as the Ameristar has a room dedicated to the game.

Ameristar is part of the Pinnacle Entertainment group. Consequently, the casino has a private club for high rollers with free food and drink.

Another Lake Michigan casino,  the Majestic Star Casino , features numerous quirky slots, including video poker penny slots and table games. Additionally, there is a dedicated poker room that sponsors daily tournaments and promotions. There is no hotel connected to the Majestic Star; however, there is a connected shuttle bus service.

The Horseshoe Hammond similarly does not have a dedicated casino hotel but does have a free shuttle bus service. This land-based property has stunning lake view suites spanning more than 1000 square feet. The gaming floor contains slots, table games, and poker rooms.

There is something very nostalgic about stepping on to a riverboat casino. No need for the bright lights and towering buildings of Vegas, Indiana riverboat casinos provide a one of a kind gambling experience for all who visit.

List of Indiana Riverboat Casinos

Below is a list of the riverboat casinos available in Indiana:

• Beltrerra Casino Resort
• Caesars Southern Indiana
• Grand Victoria Casino Resort
• Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg
• Ameristar East Chicago
• Horseshoe Casino
• Bally’s Evansville (Formerly Tropicana Evansville)
• Blue Chip Casino
• Grand Victoria Casino

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How Riverboat Gambling Became Riverboat Gaming

Kevin has been involved in the gambling industry since the ‘80s. From winning tournaments to casino management, he’s ultimately done it all. Throughout the years, he’s written for various iGaming publications on topics such as the legal landscape of online casinos and strategies behind winning. His favorite game is blackjack.

Cash-strapped states across the South and Midwest in the late eighties and early nineties were desperate for a new source of cash revenue that didn’t raise taxes. Gambling seemed like an easy way out, but it was going to be a hard sell to dubious voters.

But what if they used the allure of the old riverboat gambling myths and the promise of using the riverboat casinos to keep the gambling scourge at arm’s length from impacted communities? Could they sell this new, sanitized riverboat gaming to their constituents?

The Evolution of Gaming on America’s Rivers

We will explore the history of riverboat gaming in America from the early 19th century right into the 21st. We will discuss how it morphed and was delicately managed to become a product that a broad number of people could support a few decades ago, before starting another slow decline, and we take a closer look at some of its few bright remaining stars.

• ⛴ The History of Riverboat Gambling
• ⛴ The Beginnings of Riverboat Gaming
• ⛴ A Few of the Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining
• ⛴ Conclusion

The History of Riverboat Gambling

The first steamboat to make the trip down the Ohio and then the Mississippi was aptly named New Orleans, and she made her inaugural trip in 1811. For the next 100 years, these boats would define commerce along the nation’s mighty rivers. And with commerce comes con men.

The huge sums of money that came from moving much of the fledgling nation’s goods up and down the rivers would prove to be a powerful temptation. While much of the gambling that soon developed on these long, slow trips along the river was legal, many of the men who came to play were on the wrong side of the law .

Not even two decades into the new steamboat trade and there were articles in the Eastern papers about the con men, card sharps, and confidence scams being run on every bumpkin that set foot on a boat. In 1835, the townsfolk in Vicksburg had had enough; they lynched 5 of the “professional gamblers” and burned every Faro table in town, which was stated to be in the dozens.

Much like the frontiersman who preceded them and the Wild West lawmen who would come later, these sharply dressed, supremely confident riverboat gamblers who plied their way on the steamboats of the Mississippi using only their luck and some “skills” they’d picked up along the way were the subject of many salacious headlines and stories in their day. Despite their many obvious flaws, an almost reverence was bestowed on them as archetypical American heroes.

The Beginnings Of Riverboat Gaming

The hay day of the Riverboat gambler started to fade in the 1860s during the Civil War, and then with the advent of railroads, they were soon all but forgotten. But in the early 1990s, states desperate for tax revenue and looking at the success of Las Vegas and Atlantic City decided to retest the waters of riverboat gambling.

This time, it was a way of introducing limited casino operations only along the waterways of the State’s rivers, selling it to their constituents as a diversion and pastime. Thus, the term riverboat gaming was needed . This was to be entertainment and frivolity, none of those card sharps and hustlers from the good ole days. So, a new term was coined.

Iowa led the riverboat race with the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf in April 1991. But riverboat gaming would soon come to Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana , and other states along the Mississippi and other large rivers like the Missouri and Ohio and even the Fox and Red Rivers.

Used mainly as a stalking horse for the eventual opening of land-based casinos in most of these states, many gamblers found the cramped quarters, the limited selection of slots and tables, and most egregious of all, the ability to only embark or disembark while the boat was at the pier, to be a let down from the Las Vegas style experience that they had been promised.

In Iowa, the first land-based casinos made an appearance in just three years. In every State, some accommodations were made , from no longer having to cruise the dangerous rivers to being allowed to move on to barges over the river to being able to move to land as long as you were adjacent to the river. This was a push generally called dock-side gaming, which meant that the actual return of elegant paddle wheelers with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines prowling the Mississippi again lasted less than a decade.

Dock-side gaming was far safer and allowed gamblers to come and go as they pleased , which drove casino revenues much higher. Also, the ability in some states to move either onto barges or land-based casinos adjacent to piers saw some spectacular casinos get built that could finally meet the promise of a Las Vegas experience.

A Few Of The Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining

If you are going to visit one of the grand old ladies of the river, we think that you should start with the actual riverboats that once traveled the Mississippi, and of these, the Amelia Belle is one of the most iconic .

Situated about an hour and a half outside New Orleans, deep in Cajun Country, this beautiful riverboat gambling hall has over 30,000 square feet of gaming space , 800 slots, and a dozen table games. Before she was damaged during Hurricane Katrina, she sailed up the river from the port of New Orleans several times a day in the mid-90s, but she now sits permanently in Bayou Bouef, her expedition days behind her.

Since Louisiana has kept its premise of at least gambling on a boat, even if its moored in a giant pool or cemented to the dock, longer than most other of the original riverboat casino states, it’s no wonder we can find most of the truly breathtaking and best riverboat casinos there.

Another of the must-see gambling boats sits on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Chosen for its 20-minute proximity to the Texas border and only two and a half hours drive from Dallas, Shreveport was once a thriving riverboat gambling town and one of the country’s premier riverboat casino locations. But the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, which sit only an hour outside of Dallas to the North, have taken some of their business.

Still, there are several other riverboats operating in Shreveport, but what we think makes the Sam’s Town Property, one of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana , is that they’ve turned a 30,000-square-foot gaming boat into a destination resort. They have a 500+ room hotel directly adjacent and tied into the property with four restaurants including a really nice steak house and lots of other amenities. The boat itself has over 1000 slots and more than 27 table games.

One of the best riverboat casinos outside of Louisiana is the Grand Victoria in Elgin, Illinois. Built back in 1995, she was spared the dangers of cruising the Fox River in 1999, when Illinois was one of the last states to end their riverboat gaming rules that required the boats to leave their docks. Today, this 30,000-foot boat has room for 1100 slots and almost 30 tables and even sports an onboard buffet and three other restaurants. She is one of the prettier examples of the early 1990s boats that you will see as well, and it is well worth your time to get a good vantage point and take in her lines.

While both the age of riverboat gamblers and its more recent short-lived renaissance of riverboat gaming are now a thing of the past, the allure of cruising the mighty Mississippi while making your living playing cards and shooting dice will probably live on into the distant future. There is something about the water flowing past and the land slipping by out the window that just seems to call for a quick hand of poker or a spin on the roulette wheel.

It’s a call back to a time when the men and women who traveled these waterways were used to risking everything in order to follow their dreams. Get out there and check out some of those boats, wander the decks, play a hand or two of blackjack, and contemplate that river streaming by while you still have a chance to see a dying American breed , the last of the riverboat casinos.

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The Legacy and Historical Influence of Riverboat Casinos in the United States

Welcome aboard as we set sail into the captivating world of riverboat casinos in the United States . On this page, we’ll walk you through their legal status and historical implications, explore the where, what, and why of these floating gaming venues, and finally, take a close look at the modern condition of riverboat gambling.

As we explore the ins and outs of this unique chapter in American gaming history, we’ll also take a glance at if riverboat casinos have left a mark on the WV online gambling scene and gambling in the US in general.

• Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling
• Boat Casinos Regulation in Various States
• History of Riverboat Gambling
• Popular Riverboat Casinos

The Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling

Historically, casino boats were allowed in many states, mostly those with access to the Mississippi River. Today, only six states still allow this form of gambling:

Mississippi

Gambling boats are essentially floating casinos operating on designated waterways . They offer a wide variety of gambling activities just like land-based casinos, including slots , table games , and poker .

Each state with legal riverboat gambling has its own regulatory body responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. These regulations typically address aspects such as gambling activities allowed, revenue sharing with the state, security measures, responsible gambling practices, and environmental considerations.

While sharing similarities with land-based casinos, riverboat casinos face additional regulations due to their unique setting, such as:

• Licensing requirements . Land-based casinos typically have more stringent licensing requirements than riverboat casinos. For instance, land-based casinos may be required to undergo a more rigorous background check and financial audit process compared to riverboat casinos;
• Location restrictions . There are usually fewer restrictions on riverboat casino locations than on those of the brick-and-mortar venues. For instance, land-based casinos might not be allowed to operate in certain areas, such as residential neighborhoods or near schools. Riverboat casinos, in turn, are more flexible when it comes to location, as they can be moored on rivers that flow through various areas;
• Taxation . The taxation of land-based casinos and riverboat casinos can vary depending on the state. In some cases, land-based casinos may be subject to higher tax rates than riverboat casinos;
• Building codes . Land-based casinos are typically required to meet more stringent building codes than riverboat casinos. This is because land-based casinos are permanent structures, while riverboat casinos are considered temporary structures;
• Inspection and enforcement . Land-based casinos usually undergo more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of regulations compared to riverboat casinos.

Generally, the regulation of land-based casinos tends to be more strict and comprehensive than the regulation of any casino on the Mississippi River . The reason is likely that land-based casinos are considered to have a greater impact on the surrounding community , both in terms of economic benefits and social costs.

State-by-State Riverboat Gambling Regulations

As of 2024, it’s legal to run and visit a riverboat casino in six states. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Here, riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River , the Illinois River , and the Des Plaines River . The casinos must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and be accessible to the public by land or water . Riverboat casinos in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board .

In Indiana, boat casinos can operate on the Ohio River , the Indiana Harbor , and the Patoka Lake Reservoir . They must be located at least 600 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Indiana are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission .

In this state, it’s legal for riverboat casinos to operate on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River . They must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission .

A riverboat casino in Louisiana is allowed to operate on the Mississippi River , the Red River , and the Gulf of Mexico as long as they are located at least 300 feet from the shore . The casinos here are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board .

Obviously, a riverboat casino in Mississippi can be located on the Mississippi River at least 300 feet from the shore . Boat casinos in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission .

Last but not least, Missouri riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River at least 300 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Missouri are regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission .

Brief History of Riverboat Casinos

Explore the history of riverboat casinos in the United States, tracing their origins, development, and impact on both the gambling industry and American culture.

19th Century: The Origins of Riverboat Gambling

The roots of riverboat gambling can be traced back to the 19th century when steamboats were the primary mode of transportation along the Mississippi River. As passengers went on long journeys, gambling became a popular pastime to pass the time. While gambling activities were generally illegal on land at that time, boats provided a loophole, as they were considered to be outside of state jurisdiction.

Early 20th Century: Decline and Revival

The invention of railroads in the early 20th century led to a logical decline in riverboat travel, and respectively, riverboat gambling. However, the 1970s saw a reappearance of interest in riverboat casinos, primarily because of the push to revitalize urban areas.

1990s: Expansion and Legalization

The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for riverboat casinos. Several states legalized riverboat gambling, and the industry expanded rapidly. By the late 1990s, there were over 150 riverboat casinos operating in the United States.

2005: Hurricane Katrina and Its Devastating Blow

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm severely impacted the boat casino industry in Mississippi and Louisiana, with several casinos suffering significant damage or complete destruction.

Late 2010s: Post-Katrina Recovery and Adaptation

The consequences of Hurricane Katrina brought significant changes to the riverboat casino industry. While some casinos managed to rebuild and reopen, others had to close permanently. The industry also faced increased competition from brick-and-mortar casinos, which were gaining popularity at that time.

Today: A Mature Industry

Today, a casino boat remains a popular form of entertainment in the United States. However, the industry has matured and consolidated, with the number of riverboat casinos decreasing in recent years. Despite these changes, riverboat casinos continue to be an important economic driver in many regions.

Popular Riverboat Casinos in the US

Now that we know all the theory about riverboat gambling, let’s get to practice and take a look at the most popular water casinos in the United States.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois

Located along the beautiful Fox River, The Grand Victoria Casino is a home (or rather a boat) of true gaming elegance. Known as the largest riverboat casino in Illinois, it boasts an impressive 65,000 square feet of gaming space including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a steakhouse, a buffet, and a concert venue.

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg – Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Ameristar Casino Vicksburg is one of the oldest and most crowded riverboat casinos in Mississippi with over 50,000 square feet of gaming space . The wide choice of slots, table games, and poker tables is complemented by all kinds of entertainments, from the flavors of a diverse buffet to comedy clubs and nightclubs.

Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City, Louisiana

The Horseshoe Casino is one of the largest riverboat casinos in Louisiana and one of the most popular. It features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space , including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, so players can choose between a steakhouse, a buffet, a concert venue, and others.

Sam’s Town Casino – Shreveport, Louisiana

Sam’s Town Casino is a popular destination for all kinds of gaming enthusiasts in and out of state. With a gaming space of over 34,000 square feet , this casino offers an intimate yet exhilarating experience. Beyond the slots, table games, and poker room, Sam’s Town welcomes gamers to savor a culinary journey with a steakhouse, a buffet, and a unique entertainment experience at the in-house bowling alley.

What is the Diamond Lady casino boat?

The Diamond Lady Riverboat Casino was a paddlewheel riverboat casino that operated on the Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa, from 1991 to 2008. In 2021, the Diamond Lady sank during a severe winter storm. It was later raised and brought to shore, where it remains today. The future of the Diamond Lady is uncertain, but it is possible that it will be restored and reopened as a casino or museum.

Why do casinos have to be on water in the US?

Casinos in the US don’t necessarily have to be on the water, but there are some casinos that are. This practice originated when gambling laws were more restrictive on land, and the association of riverboat gambling with waterborne transportation became a legal requirement in some states.

Why are casinos on the water so popular?

Riverboat casinos are popular for their unique charm and historical allure. The on-water setting offers players a distinctive and memorable gaming experience, contributing to the popularity of these establishments. Additionally, the regulations associated with riverboat gambling create a controlled and regulated environment that appeals to both operators and players.

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Suppose you want a gambling experience that perfectly blends the pleasure of traditional gaming with the fun of a riverboat tour. In that case, you should be playing in a riverboat casino and   online casinos .

Riverboat casinos are floating establishments in the river that offer all the perks of land-based casino in Singapore . They are primarily found in the United States, along the Mississippi River and its side streams, and along the Gulf Coast.

Best Riverboat Casinos

Originally, several states authorized these casinos to limit the areas where casinos could be established while also enabling gambling across different areas. Though riverboats were hardly taken away from the dock when these casinos were originally built, there are now several states where riverboat casinos sail along the river. Therefore, if you are prone to seasickness, an anchored riverboat casino might be a perfect fit for you. 

Today, there are a slew of riverboat casinos worldwide, with the Mississippi river housing the most impressive ones. Though it may seem like floating casinos do not have all the features of a land-based casino, they do provide some luxuries that make up for all the Vegas style amenities that they lack. 

As far as variety in games is concerned, riverboat casinos offer the same variety in gaming as a land-based casino while also allowing customers to relish their gambling experience more with exquisite scenery gliding beside them. Here’s a list of some of the best riverboat casinos in the world: 

The Star of Fortune, Buenos Aires

This Buenos Aires riverboat casino is one the most striking gambling spots in the world. It’s more commonly known by its nickname, The Star of Fortune. This casino has some very luxurious bars and restaurants with a wide range of cuisines. With over 150 tables and more than seven hundred games including various slot machines, roulette, and blackjack, you can have the most remarkable gambling experience on this riverboat. The Star of Fortune should be your first pick if you’re looking for an amazing riverboat cruise accompanied by one of the best gaming experiences of your life. 

Mississippi Belle II, USA

This river-dwelling casino based in Iowa is much more than just a gambling spot. It offers so many recreations for children which makes it a perfect place to visit with family. From poker and blackjack to roulette and craps, you’ll find all kinds of gaming opportunities in this riverboat casino. It offers many amazing amenities like delicatessens, restaurants, and a large activity center for children.

Hollywood Casino, USA

Hollywood Casino is particularly famous for its slot games. It offers a wide range of games including 3-Card poker, 21 + 3 blackjack, Royal Match 21, Cajun Stud and many others. Besides its miscellaneous games collection, it has many special amenities like a wide range of buffets to choose from, amazing restaurants, and live music. 

Treasure Chest Casino, USA

If you want to have an extraordinary gambling experience accompanied by other entertainments, Treasure Chest casino, Louisiana is an ideal spot for you. It has an all-you-can-eat buffet which is one of the most attractive amenities of the place. The most unique feature of this Louisiana-based casino is its big prize giveaways. Besides its various amenities, it has around 36 table games including Mississippi Stud, Pai Gow, mini-baccarat, craps, roulette, and blackjack. For free spins and up to €250 in bonuses, visit platincasino.com/ie/book-of-the-princess.html

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What Are Riverboat Casinos & Do They Have to be Sailing For You to Gamble?

October 5, 2022

If you’ve watched films such as Maverick , starring famed anti-semite Mel Gibson, or TV shows like Ozark , you will know at least a passing amount about riverboat casinos. They often look like something out of a Mark Twain novel, powered by steam and paddles and are suggestive of a bygone era when you see them floating on the water. In the modern era, of course, they are filled with bright and flashy slot machines that make a lot of noise and ensure that you won’t be expecting Twain to walk around the corner.

The idea behind riverboat casinos was that it would limit the areas in which casinos could be constructed, enabling gambling but keeping it to specifically designated areas. The fact that the boats were seldom taken away from the dock, or even ever taken away in some cases, didn’t change the point that the legal fiction was able to be sold by various authorities. In essence, there is no difference between a riverboat casino and a permanent one on land, with the exception being that boat casinos can get licences to operate where land ones can’t.

The History of the Riverboat Casino

You can’t understand the history of riverboat casinos without first having a sense of the history of riverboats in general. Paddlewheel riverboats were introduced to the Mississippi River and some of its tributaries as a way of transporting passengers and goods during the 19th century. By the 20th century, however, rail had largely taken over as the quickest and cheapest way to get things around the country, meaning that the paddlewheel riverboats needed to be re-invented as something else entirely. This was when they began to be used as floating casinos.

Entertainment for Long Voyages

Of course, gambling and sailing has a long history. Voyages by sea are long and tedious, with ships in the past lacking the entertainment options that you would expect to find nowadays. So it is that sailors and passengers would often engage in games of chance whilst taking part in a long voyage. As life in the United States of America reached a degree of normality in the wake of the American Civil War, riverboats began to be used as a way of enticing gamblers to places where they would otherwise have nowhere to go.

Legal Loopholes

States had widely prohibited gambling in the US by the start of the 20th century, which is why those looking to gamble sought legal loopholes. States began to approve the use of riverboats, especially in ones that had frontage along the Mississippi. It was for this reason that the likes of Illinois, Louisiana, Indiana, Missouri and Mississippi itself began to allow a limited number of riverboat casinos to be opened, attracting gamblers that wouldn’t be allowed to place a legal bet on land in those same states, save for on Native American Reserves.

City of Traverse

The first riverboat casino, the City of Traverse , set sail on Lake Michigan in 1904. The Big Muddy, as the Mississippi River was known, bordered several different states, which made it something of a legal grey area. It was for this reason that Senator Lyndon Johnson helped to draft the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act in 1951. That made it a crime to transport gambling decides over state lines, unless it was legal at the destination. It didn’t stop all riverboat casinos, but it made it trickier for some of them.

What Riverboat Casinos Offer

As with casinos on land, riverboat casinos offer different things to customers based on numerous different factors. If a riverboat casino has discovered that very few people in the area enjoy playing poker, for example, then they are going to be unlikely to actively offer a poker room. Similarly, if it is discovered that people heading to one riverboat casino aren’t playing slots, then slot machines will be limited in number. As with land-based casinos, it is the customer that dictates what is and isn’t offered by a riverboat casino, wherever it is located.

That being said, there are some things that you can expect to enjoy at most riverboat casinos. Table games are always popular at such venues, meaning that the likes of roulette, craps and blackjack are commonplace. Equally, slots are usually good money makers for any casino, so a floor that is dedicated to such electronic forms of gambling isn’t unusual. Whilst card rooms for poker games and so on aren’t always found, they also aren’t unusual. In short, if you want to do something specific, it’s worth finding out if the riverboat casino you’re heading to offers it before you get there.

Do They Have to Be Sailing for You to Gamble?

Now that we know a little bit more about riverboat casino and their origin, it is worth asking the question about whether or not they need to be gambling in order for you to be able to place a bet. The short answer is: it depends. Each state has its own rules and regulations around how riverboat casinos have to work, which includes whether or not they need to be sailing for betting to be legal. In the majority of cases, the rule of law states that the casino has to be ‘solely over and in contact with the surface’ of the river it is on.

What this means, in essence, is that the main bulk of the riverboat casino has to be in the water. It can be connected to land by something like a bridge, but it would need to be able to sail away if required to do so by the licensee. To put it another way, in most states, it couldn’t be a building built on the docks or on the side of the river in order to be a legally licensed casino. Instead, it needs to be in a situation where the majority of the vessel is in the water and only a method of getting on board is allowed to be on the nearby land.

The Curious Case of the Potomac River

The interesting thing about riverboat casinos is that they regularly end up being in fascinating situations. This is perhaps best demonstrated by the tale of the Potomac River, which is on the state border of Maryland and Virginia. In the middle of the 20th century, there were several riverboat casinos docked off the coast of Virginia, even though gambling wasn’t legal there. The border between the two states isn’t the middle of the river, but rather at the low water mark on the Virginia side of it, confusing things.

The result of the state border being where it is is that, with the exception of a small part of the river that is in the District of Columbia, the majority of the river is technically in Maryland. For this reason, punters could drive to Virginia and park there before walking onto a riverboat casino, at which point they had crosses state lines and were in Maryland. They were then able to gamble entirely legally, all whilst within virtual touching distance of a state where it would have been illegal to have been doing exactly the same thing.

The Riverboat Casinos That Pushed Their Luck

In 1994, it was decided by voters in Missouri to allow ‘games of chance’ to take place on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River. Four years later and the state Gaming Commission believed that just three of the 16 such casinos operating in the river were ‘clearly on the main river channel’. As several casinos had actually been located on riverboats that were in an area with water that was adjacent to the river, such as a lock, it was felt by those that were against gambling in the state that they should be shutdown.

By that point, however, the state had realised just how much was being brought in thanks to tax on the $652 million industry. The state was entirely unwilling to give up the revenues being generated by the riverboat casinos, so over a period of time the rules were relaxed. It got to the point that casinos were allowed to be built on stilts, with the only proviso being that they had to be over water that was navigable. This meant an end to the practice of ‘ Boats in Moats ’ that the area had become quietly quite famous for.

When Hurricane Katrina hit the US in 2005, many of the riverboat casinos were destroyed entirely. The casinos themselves, as well as the hotels and restaurants that adjoined them, were left devastated. What resulted was a decision from many states to change their regulation on the matter, allowing casinos to be built on land as long as they were within certain geographical limits close to a navigable waterway. Since the hurricanes the majority of Mississippi’s riverboat casinos have been rebuilt with far more solid foundations.

Riverboat Casinos & Native Americans

It might seem strange, but those that love riverboat casinos actually owe a debt of thanks to Native Americans. Towards the end of the 1980s, the case of California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians ended up in front of the Supreme Court. The state of California believed that the games of poker and bingo that were taking place on the land of the Cabazon Band of Native Americans violated state law. The Native Americans, unsurprisingly, disagreed, believing that tribal land fell under civil regulatory laws, not the lawful jurisdiction of the state.

The Supreme Court found that California’s state lottery meant that gambling was not prohibited as a criminal act, meaning that the authority to regulate any gambling actives on tribal lands fell outside the powers that were granted by the Public Law 280 ruling. This had lasting impact for Native Americans around the sovereignty of their land, including the fact that states could not impose regulations on reservation gaming. Instead, gambling in Native American land could only be questioned if it was in a state where gambling was considered criminal according to the state laws.

This led to an explosion of legalised gambling in states throughout America. The result of this was that states wanted to get in on the act, hoping to open casinos that would allow them to make money whilst limiting the influence of organised crime. The result of this was that riverboat casinos sprang up in places where the geography allowed it, ensuring that most of the new venues owed a lot to the Native Americans that had pursued the right that they believed they had to gamble legally on their own land.

Curious Things About Riverboat Casinos

There are numerous different facts about riverboat casinos that are interesting and worth knowing. For example, many historians believe that vigilantes would take the law into their own hands when cheats were found to be operating on riverboat casinos. In 1835, a group of five such cheats were lynched in Vicksburg in the state of Mississippi after having been discovered. Also, when riverboat gambling was first legalised in Louisiana, any vessels operating out of the state had to look like a 19th century paddleboat.

By 2018, there were 63 riverboat casinos operating across the six states where it was legal for them to do so. That year, Illinois took $382.5 million in state tax, whilst it was $152.1 million in Missouri. In terms of examples of riverboat casinos, there is perhaps none as impressive as the American Empress, which is diesel-powered and stands at 360 feet in length. As well as the casino on board, there are also artefacts from the Gold Rush, Russia and Native Alaska, making it a floating museum, as well as a casino.

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777 Wild Rose Drive Clinton, IA 52732

Wild Rose Clinton dates back to the earliest days of riverboat gaming in Iowa. Once a cruising vessel, Wild Rose Clinton unites the charm of riverboat gaming with the thrill and amenities of a casino resort.

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Riverboat casinos – why does the casino have to be on a boat?

A riverboat casino is exactly what it sounds like: a casino on a riverboat. These exist in several US states, through which the Mississippi River flows. There are also some along the Gulf Coast. A few states allowed this type of casino to limit the areas where casinos could be built without outlawing gambling . The riverboats were rarely moved away from the port, if ever.

History of riverboat casinos

Riverboats with paddlewheels had long been used on the Mississippi and its tributaries to transport cargo and people. After they were largely displaced by railroads, they became more popular for short trips, up to a few hours long, than as transport from one riverfront town to another. They were also a way to enjoy live music and dancing and find a cool place to relax, away from the scorching urban heat.

On riverboats, gambling was far from uncommon

There were card games, slot machines , and more. When states approved riverboat casinos in the late 20 th century, and land-based gaming was generally prohibited, these casinos had to be located on ships. In some areas, gambling was legal only when the boat was not docked, as in the traditional trips. Riverboat casinos were allowed in states like Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri. In Illinois, they were also allowed in the Chicago metropolitan area, which is connected to the Mississippi River via the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. There are three ‘riverboat’ casinos in harbors along Lake Michigan in Indiana.

A curious event

A situation on the border between Virginia and Maryland led to an unusual event on the Potomac River around 1950. The border is at the low water mark on the Virginia side, not in the middle of the river. In fact, the whole river is practically in Maryland with the exception of a few small areas in the District of Columbia. Due to this, there were several riverboat casinos docked off of the Virginia shoreline in the middle of the 20 th century. At this time, gambling was not legal in Virginia, but it was legal in parts of Maryland. Considering that the river was in Maryland, people could park in Virginia and walk across a pier, thereby crossing the border between the states.

Developments in the 90s

In 1994, Missouri changed its state constitution to authorize “games of chance” on the two rivers running through the state: the Mississippi and the Missouri. Four years later, just three of the 16 operations comprising Missouri’s riverboat gambling industry, already worth more than $600 million, were clearly on the main river channel according to the state’s gambling watchdog, the Gaming Commission. The supreme court of the state had ruled that riverboats had to be “solely over and in contact with the surface” of the rivers.

A number of operators had been located on riverboats in an area with water by a navigable waterway or a moat, due to which they were referred to as “boats in moats.” The state legislatures were not inclined to waive the high revenues gambling generated. With time, they let casinos be constructed on stilts, but they had to be located over navigable water.

Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath

After Hurricane Katrina destroyed most riverboat casinos in 2005 along with their associated facilities of restaurants, hotels, and more in southern states, a number of them amended their constitutions or changed their legislation. They allowed casinos to be constructed on land near a navigable waterway. Most of the riverboat casinos on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast have been rebuilt on beachfronts with stable foundations after the hurricane.

The future of riverboat casinos

Riverboat casinos will always be a popular form of entertainment along the Mississippi. People can enjoy playing in these historic paddleboat gaming hubs in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi as this mighty river flows across many different state lines. It is the second-longest river in North America, flowing out from its estuary in Lake Itasca, Minnesota through the heart of the country and flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Its total length is 2,350 miles.

The mighty river was the center of economic activity in the 19th century south. This geographical region was famous for the paddle steamers that used to cruise up and down the Mississippi long before online casinos existed.

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