Iowa became the first state to establish riverboat casinos in 1991, and their popularity has skyrocketed since then. At initially, riverboat casino gambling was restricted to $5.00 bets with a maximum loss of $200.00 per cruise passenger. Riverboat casinos eventually made their way to Illinois and Mississippi, where there were no age restrictions and casinos were open 24 hours a day. Missouri was the latest state to establish riverboat casinos, with the introduction of riverboat casinos in 1994.
Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri are among the six states that allow riverboat casinos. They have the appearance of majestic riverboats from the past, although they rarely leave the dockside. Riverboat casinos on the Mississippi must be permanently moored, with gangplanks connecting the shore to the casino. Riverboat casinos, sometimes known as “boats on moats,” are enormous barges with casinos on deck that float in pools alongside the river. With the exception of Illinois, which authorizes riverboat casinos on the Des Plaines, Ohio, and Illinois rivers, the majority of riverboat casinos operate on the Missouri, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers. The number of riverboat casinos authorized, the sorts of games allowed, entry fees, the number of hours spent cruising, and the length of gaming time allowed are all set by each state.
Riverboat casinos provide a wide range of games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, slots, and video poker, as well as live entertainment, supper, and dance. The Argosy VI in Indiana, which has 2,300 slots and 80 table games for nearly 4,000 passengers; the Grand Victoria Casino in Illinois; the Ameristar Casino in Missouri, which has the world’s biggest floating casino floor; and the Mississippi Belle II in Iowa are all prominent riverboat casinos. In Mississippi, the Tunica Queen, a three-deck riverboat casino that offers afternoon and nighttime gaming excursions, is immensely popular. L’Auberge du Lac, a single-level deck with 30,000 square feet of gaming area, 60 table games, and 1,600 slot machines, is one of the newest riverboat casinos in Louisiana. The Treasure Chest is another well-known riverboat casino in Louisiana, with 1,000 slot machines and a variety of card games.
Riverboat casinos generate millions of dollars in income for each state’s economy, as well as thousands of jobs. Despite the fact that natural catastrophes strike riverboat casinos every year, gaming developers and people help to speed up the restoration and reopening process. Because of its accessibility, fair costs, and low-cost entertainment, riverboat casinos have a bright future.