Iowa legalized riverboat casinos in 1991. Their popularity has risen dramatically since then. The initial riverboat casino gambling was restricted to $5.00 bets with a maximum loss limit of $200.00 per cruise passenger. Slowly, riverboat casinos moved to Mississippi and Illinois. There were no restrictions and the casinos were open all day. Missouri was the last state to allow riverboat casinos in 1994.
Six states have riverboat casinos. They are legal: Illinois, Iowa (India), Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri. These riverboat casinos look like the grand old riverboats, but they rarely leave the dockside and stay at the shore. For example, Mississippi riverboat casinos need to be docked permanently with gangplanks running from the shore to their casino. Riverboat casinos are also known as “boats on Moats”, large barges with casinos on deck and can float on the river. Most riverboat casinos are located on the Missouri, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Illinois is the only exception. They can also be found on the Des Plaines and Ohio rivers. Each state has its restrictions regarding riverboat casinos. These include the number allowed, types allowed, admission fees, hours spent cruising and allowed gambling time.
Riverboat casinos offer a wide range of games, including craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots. There is also frequent entertainment, such as dinner and dancing and featured performers and shows. Argosy VI, Indiana, has 2,300 slots and 80 tables for more than 4,000 people. The Grand Victoria Casino, Illinois, and Ameristar Casino, Missouri. In Iowa, there is the Mississippi Belle II. Mississippi’s most popular riverboat casino is the Tunica Queen. It features afternoon and evening gambling cruises. L’Auberge du Lac, Louisiana’s newest riverboat casino, is a single-level deck with 30,000 feet of gambling space. It features 60 table games and 1,600 slots machines. The Treasure Chest is another well-known riverboat casino located in Louisiana. It features 1,000 slot machines as well as a variety of poker games.
Riverboat casinos bring millions to each state’s economy and provide thousands of jobs. Even though riverboat casinos are often affected by natural disasters, developers and individuals can help speed up reconstruction and reopening. In addition, riverboat casinos have a bright future because of their accessibility, low prices, and affordable entertainment.
