riverboat gambling origin

History of Riverboat Gambling on the Mississippi

The South has always been at least somewhat friendly to gambling due to the rise of the riverboat in the early 1900s. Games of chance were kept on the water so that anti-gambling laws wouldn’t apply. Games like poker and roulette took place on grand riverboats, even if the ship never left the dock.

This tradition was greatly reduced when the railroad became the main way to transport both goods and people, but some riverboats remain in the South today. In Mississippi and Louisiana, especially, retired steamboats are now used for river cruising and for gambling in places like Vicksburg.

Online casinos are one of the latest innovations in the casino industry. Since the rise of technological advancements, they are solid competitors to U.S.-based land-based casinos. Many gambling restrictions still remain in the South and across the ocean. For example, every casino in the UK gets licensed by the UK Gambling Commission.

The regulations of the U.S. online casino market have led to developers existing who only get associated with U.S. casinos and are not available at UK-based gaming sites. Some famous developers for the U.S. market are RealTime Gaming, Relax Gaming, Rival Gaming, Elk Studios and Betsoft.

But for those players who want the old-time experience of dressing up and boarding a grand steamboat, the South has plenty for them. Just look along the Mississippi River from Missouri to Louisiana. According to Visit Mississippi , the first steamboat to travel the Mississippi River was the New Orleans, whose October 1811 maiden voyage began in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The New Orleans stopped in Natchez in December 1811 before continuing to its final port in New Orleans.

Wealthy Southerners could afford to travel by steamboat, and some were ornately decorated in the Victorian style. The riverboat casinos that remain today continue that grand tradition, with music playing onboard, restaurants available to players and even live entertainment offered regularly.

So, if you want to step back in time and experience the old South by river—without all the outlaws and pirates —consider a riverboat cruise or evening of gaming.

SHARE THIS STORY:

Eco-conscious travel, the wild history of, related articles.

3 Must-Visit Histori

6 Creative Trips Thr

Best Photo Spots in

No comments, leave a comment cancel reply.

• CRUISE TIPS
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Virgin Voyages
• Windstar Cruises
• Travel Deals
• CRUISE SHIP TRACKER
• Port Webcams

There are various areas of the world that just seem synonymous with gambling. When people hear the name Las Vegas they picture gambling of a flashy, mass entertainment proportion. Macau ’ s gambling culture brings a real Asian flavour to gambling, with many inevitably comparing it to Vegas. Monte Carlo delivers gambling connotations of wealth and prestige. Obviously, it is not just physical areas where gambling has a strong presence, with the web and mobile space being  dominated by PartyCasino  and other big names in the industry.

Another, yet somewhat less spectacular, sight that can only be associated with gambling is the steam propelled riverboat of certain states in the USA. How did these iconic vessels come to be known for hosting casinos, and what is the current status of riverboat casinos today?

On Water, But Not Land

There is a network of rivers that penetrate inland from the Gulf of Mexico up through the United States,  most famously the Mississippi River . In the 19 th  Century the rivers provided a fantastic way to transport goods from town to town up and down the bodies of water. This in turn became a popular method of passenger transport, with travellers using the boat to socialise. One of the most popular forms of entertainment at the time was gambling, and therefore this pastime became highly popular aboard the vessels.

There were also, and still are today, laws that prohibited gambling on land. However, the proprietor s  of these boats took advantage of the loophole not extending these laws to establishments on water. Even today,  riverboats are still to be found on the Mississippi  and is still considered one of the best for cruises. Certain rivers acted as state lines, so it was sometimes argued that the gamblers could not be classified as being in one state or another while steaming down a river.

Railroads and War

As mentioned, the riverboats were first and foremost a means of transportation and enjoyed such success due to it being the quickest and most reliable means of travel and delivery of goods. However, when railroads started to spread across the country, they opened up new routes that got people around in a more direct manner. The trains also cut days off travel and therefore started to overtake the riverboats in popularity.

Around the same time the  American Civil War  broke out, a period where much of the fighting was done in the Southern States which defied the laws laid out by the North. This meant that riverboat entertainment almost came to a complete end.

The Riverboats of Today

Unlike the boats of old, which used to set off on long journeys to various destinations, the vessels of now mostly remain docked and very seldom actually take to the open waters. However, one will still be able to undergo the traditional experience that thousands enjoyed before casinos became what we are familiar with today.

• #RiverCruise

Related Articles

How to rent a car on cruise stops, travel experts recommend the top adults-only cruises, 3 best slots to accompany your cruise adventures.

Popular Categories

• Oceans 1532
• Cruise News 1300
• Carnival Cruise Line 340
• Cruise Tips 338
• River Cruises 228
• Royal Caribbean 174

© Copyright 2024 - Cruise Addicts

• Affiliate Disclaimer
• Privacy Policy

• Golden Nugget
• Online Slots
• Online Baccarat
• Online Blackjack
• Online Roulette
• Casino Guides
• Destinations

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.

Most Recent

Join our subscription list to get access to new bonus offers, online casino reviews, and industry news all in one newsletter!

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Best Riverboat Casinos

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert . Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

If you were to close your eyes and imagine a riverboat casino, your mind will probably conjure up an image that would look like something straight out of a Mark Twain novel. Riverboats are represented in pop culture as paddlewheel steamboats that float around languidly, while the cacophony of laughter and excited hoots make their way through the air.

However, riverboat casinos are far more advanced than once thought out to be, offering a unique experience to tourists and seasoned gamblers. In this guide, we’ll take a trip down the river and explore the origins, history and current state of the best riverboat casinos in the USA. All aboard!

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Rise of the Riverboat Casinos

If only it was easy to point out a go-to destination for the best riverboat casinos. Riverboat gambling goes back a long way through American history. To see a complete picture of riverboat gambling today, we need to first ride down the cruise ship of history to discover the origins of riverboat gambling . Meanwhile, if you are located in any state with legal online gambling, you can play at any of the best online casinos in the US . Read on till the end of this guide to take your pick on the best riverboat casino locations.

• 📖 History of riverboat gambling
• ⛵ Riverboat gambling economies
• 🧐 Fun Facts
• 💰 Riverboat Casinos Today

History of Riverboat Gambling in the USA

When riverboat gaming first took the USA by storm, paddlewheel riverboats had long been used on the Mississippi River as a means of passenger and freight transportation. With the advent of the railways, riverboats saw their utility decline and started to be viewed as entertainment and leisure vessels by the public.

Boat cruises were popular for their live music and dancing, but also as a way to escape the crowded cities across the US. As these boats became entertainment hubs, gambling gained popularity on board . Initially, gambling was limited to card and table games, but slot machines were eventually added to most riverboats. Nowadays, players in states with legal online gambling can enjoy the best real money online casinos . For example, if they are within the state of New Jersey, they can enjoy the best online casinos in NJ without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

As the Mississippi River served as the border of several states, it created the perfect legal gray area. In 1903, several states simultaneously softened their stance on gambling due to the economic potential that it offered. Thus began the golden era of riverboat gambling . The first casinos were required to be located on ships that would have to sail away from the dock. In some parts, gambling was only allowed once the ship was sailing.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Era

The administration under Lyndon. B Johnson placed significant restrictions on what riverboat casinos could legally do. In 1951, the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act was passed, which made the transportation of gambling devices across state borders illegal. This placed limitations on how riverboats could operate.

Riverboat casinos were first approved by state lawmakers in the late 20th century by those states which prohibited gambling on land. In the 1980s, lawmakers had the vision to revive the golden era of riverboat gambling. Several states simultaneously introduced laws that permitted gambling on water vessels, creating the framework under which they still operate today. Iowa was the first state to fully legalize riverboat gambling . Apart from Iowa, Riverboat gambling is legal in Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Missouri too.

Riverboat Casino Economies

In 2010, there were 10 operational riverboat casinos. This number might pale in comparison to the number of land casinos in the United States, but riverboat gambling saw a massive boom during the 2010s. In 2018, there were 63 riverboat casinos in operation across the legal states. This spike in growth suggests that riverboat casinos have a distinct appeal, separate from that of land-based casinos.

Riverboats make massive contributions to local economies, as all winnings are taxed by the state. Before you start playing, make sure to acquaint yourself with the gambling commission of the state in which you are planning on playing. In Iowa, if you win over $1,200, you’ll be paying an eye-watering 15% as tax to the state and 5% to the local community, whereas in Iowa, the tax rate stands at a little over 5%.

Proponents of riverboat casinos frequently argue that these floating casinos increase employment rates in the communities where the boats are docked. To support the requirements of large floating casinos, communities are engaged in the development of restaurants, shopping, accommodation, recreation, and other hospitality facilities to capitalize on the spending power of visiting tourists .

Since state legislatures were never willing to give up on the revenues generated by casinos. In a unique ruling in 1998, courts had stated that boats had to be “solely over and in contact with the surface” of rivers, thereby eliminating the need for actual floating vessels. Over time, the rules were amended to allow the construction of casinos on stilts , with the caveat that they had to be located in navigable water.

Fun Facts About Riverboat Casinos

Before we get into the list of top riverboat gambling destinations, we would like to share a few fun historical facts and trivia that you might find interesting. These facts might even make good conversation starters should you get down to maritime gaming.

When riverboat gambling was legalized for the first time in the late 1980s, different states put forward varying cosmetic requirements . In an inconvenience to casino owners, all Louisiana riverboat casinos were required to be constructed exactly like the 19th-century paddlewheel steamboats, for reasons unknown. To run a legal riverboat casino in Indiana, vessels had to have a minimum length of 150 feet and a minimum carrying capacity of 500 passengers.

There have also been violent incidents associated with riverboat gambling. As riverboat casinos operated on the water, it was often thought that they were somehow exempt from the laws of the land. Historians have discovered several instances of individuals punishing cheaters and thieves by taking the law into their own hands. in 1835, five gamblers were lynched in Vicksburg Mississippi when they were caught cheating.

Some of the biggest reforms to riverboat gambling were brought on – unfortunately – by Hurricane Katrina. Before 2005, most riverboat casinos only allowed gambling when the vessel was sailing. However, this was not realistic all year round, as boats could not leave their docks in unpredictable weather . After Katrina, most state laws dictate that riverboat casinos need to be docked for safety.

Riverboat Casinos Today

The Mississippi River region is still the hotbed of all riverboat gambling in the United States. Today, there are over 20 riverboat casinos that gamblers can choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the best riverboat casinos today. In order to make this list, the casinos that we evaluated have had to meet stringent requirements of variety, novelty, hospitality, and service.

The Amelia Belle, Louisiana

One of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana that we recommend are owned by Boyd Gaming, the casino giant from Paradise Nevada. The Amelia Belle is located in Amelia Louisiana , between Houma and Morgan City, built on the edge of the water in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway.

The Amelia Belle could easily be considered one of the beautiful casinos in this guide. Spread out over four stories, it sports a turn-of-the-century look and appears stunning when illuminated at night. The Amelia Belle has over 800 slot machines and 15 table games .

The Amelia Belle recently added dining options to feed the hunger of visiting gamblers. If you are visiting, drop by the Bayou Cafe on the first floor to grab a quick bite. The Amelia Belle is open 24×7 on the weekends and you can expect games like Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker, and Electronic Roulette.

Grand Victoria Casino, Illinois

The El Dorado Resorts-owned Grand Victoria Casino is located on the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois. The Grand Victoria stands out from the other top riverboat casinos in this guide as it has an abundance of restaurants on board . Before we look into their gastronomical offerings, let’s examine gambling aboard the Grand Victoria.

The Grand Victoria offers a gambling experience unmatched by others in the area. With a casino floor that covers 29850 square feet , you could spend hours at the Grand Victoria without going through everything that’s on offer. The casino even has a High Limit Room for big bettors.

Within the casino, you’ll find 1000 of the most popular slot machines and video poker games. You can also try your hand at 29 Vegas-style table games, a poker room, a lounge, and seasonal entertainment venues . There are also several well-established hotels near Grand Victoria, in case you want to make your excursion a multi-day affair.

While most riverboat casinos were slow to catch up to fine dining experiences, the Grand Victoria is ahead of the curve. You can indulge yourself at four restaurants on board named Buckinghams Steakhouse and Lounge, Indulge Show Kitchen Buffer, Crave Deli and Prime Burger house.

Casino Queen Marquette

Casino Queen Marquette is a smaller riverboat casino owned by CQ Holdings. Thanks to its small size and limited capacity, Queen Marquette offers a more exclusive and personalized experience in comparison to other top riverboat casinos. Located next to a 31-acre site, the casino has a marina, an enclosed dining pavilion on the first floor, and an entertainment center on the second floor.

Since it is a small and quaint casino, you will only find 8 live tables at Queen Marquette. This is balanced out with the provision of 566 slot machines and video poker games . Some of the games you can look forward to playing at Queen Marquette are Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, Blackjack and Fusion Roulette.

Ameristar Casino MIssissippi

The Ameristar Casino is located on the banks of the famed Mississippi River. It is conveniently located on the Mississippi-Louisiana border just off Interstate 20. The casino is part of a much larger complex featuring a hotel, three restaurants, a blues bar, a cabaret, and a full-service RV Park.

The Ameristar Casino has 70,000 square feet of the casino floor. You can enjoy games at 27 tables or 1571 gaming machines. There are also 10 live-action poker tables. The casino has been designed to retain the atmosphere of a 19th-century gambling boat .

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve had your eyes glued to the screen till the end of this guide, you know exactly where to go to find an authentic riverboat gambling experience in the USA>. Apart from the casino boats mentioned in this guide, there are several others that are worth looking into. However, we can guarantee that you will have a fabulous experience playing at the casinos that we have covered in this guide.

Is riverboat gambling legal in the USA?

How many riverboat casinos are operational in the usa, which is the best riverboat gambling facility in america, what games are available at the best riverboat casinos, what additional facilities are available at riverboat casinos.

• Terms & Conditions

A former photographer, Jonathan has written extensively about the gambling industry over the last few years. Though perfectly happy chatting at a gaming trade show or lounging in the casino, his favorite place is on a motorcycle with his trusty hound, Yol...

• Riverboat Gambling: A Taste of the Past /

Riverboat Gambling: A Taste of the Past

• September 24, 2020 04:34PM
• September 24, 2020

Introduction: Riverboat Gambling

Have you ever been riverboat gambling? We’ve all seen the old photos of these majestic looking paddle steamers making their way up the Mississippi River. In fact, it’s probably considered an image that pretty much sums up the golden age of the Wild West, once it was tamed. But things have moved on a bit since those days of gun-toting cowboys and Stetsons. Though gambling may have advanced in some areas, like the internet, it doesn’t necessarily follow that this holds true of every state in the US. For example, did you know that some states still require that all gambling takes place on a riverboat? Sounds crazy…so let’s have a look.

The Wild Midwest

The origins of riverboat gambling are pretty straightforwards. As the West was expanding, many merchants had to travel considerable distances in order to both maintain and find new business. Back in the 1800s, they made use of the extensive waterways that zigzagged across the eastern seaboard to the mid-west. so traveling by boat was the norm. Unfortunately, this form of travel is also exceedingly time-consuming.

Essentially we had a bunch of rich folks, with lots of time on their hands, and all stuck on a boat. So it’s no surprise that riverboat gambling quickly became the best method to pass the time. And of course, the smell of easy money brought professional gamblers to the party. Soon any number of shady characters could be found gambling on these boats. But laws were changing, and many states were actively outlawing all forms of gambling. At the same time, there were a great many people complaining about the card sharps. Soon lynch mobs sprung up to dish out “justice” to card cheats. It was all getting out of hand.

Riverboat Gambling: Caught In The Middle

So, with the police on one shore and the lynch mob on the other, it’s no surprise that riverboat gambling felt a lot safer whilst remaining on the waterways. These boats gave an opportunity to the very best card sharps to practice their trade with impunity. But times were a-changing, and it was only a matter of time for things to change thanks to the introduction of the railroads. Overnight, the riverboats became redundant for traveling purposes. But the story doesn’t end here.

States are always on the lookout for means of raising their own taxes. And all states were looking westwards and seeing the sheer amounts of cash pouring into the coffers of the State of Nevada, thanks to it’s relaxing of gambling laws allowing all types of jackpot games . And so, it only natural that they too, wanted some of that action. So states that were on the Mississippi River began to think again about utilizing those paddle steamers as floating gambling casinos. This would create an important source of additional state revenues. So, with the stroke of a pan, laws were changed and those boats were recommissioned. Well not quite.

Modern Riverboat Gambling Casinos

The thing is that though they might be called riverboat gambling casinos, the “boat” bit can be a bit misleading. Often they really have nothing in common with a real boat. Most of them are just floating structures, which happen to be parked on the waterway. They do appear to be floating, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they were not built up from the river bed itself. When these new riverboats first appeared, it was when the idea of gambling once again was starting to take it’s first baby steps. As a result, gambling laws were extremely restrictive. Most boats had a $5 betting limit and there were rules as to how much a guest was allowed to lose on a single trip.

But the 1990s saw a major change in gambling laws. Things became more relaxed and as a result, revenues increased for casinos, which in turn led to states gaining more as well. As of today, riverboat gambling casinos to win the jackpot operate in 6 states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois. But that doesn’t mean that they all follow the same laws. For example, in Louisiana, all casinos must actually look like the old river paddleboat steamers and have their own engines. Then again, not all river states have even joined the gambling party. So Kentucky, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Minnesota have no river casinos at all. It’s really strange that voters wouldn’t want the extra income that gambling brings.

Riverboat Gambling: Boosting Local Economies and State Budgets

It goes without saying that riverboat gambling had has a positive impact on both local level and state budgets. For example, in Indiana, all casinos have to pay a 20% state tax. Of this, 15% goes to the state and the other 5% remains in the local community. Just so there’s no doubting the numbers involved, this translates to a staggering $400 million to the state and $80 million locally. In fact, more tax money flows into the state from riverboat gambling, than from any other source. And it, not only tax money that’s important. These huge floating monstrosities need workers. They need to hire dealers, waitresses, accountants and security, and more.

And the vast majority of these workers are going to be people who live locally. As a direct result, this increases the amounts of money going into local communities, as workers are spending salaries in shops and stores where they live.

King Billy Casino Welcome Bonus

151% match bonus up to €500 + 51 bonus spins, when winstar came to thackerville.

A great example of this effect would be what happened in Thackerville. This was a quiet backwater of a town with few inhabitants and just the river flowing slowly by. it’s the type of young that young people look forwards to escaping from as soon as high school is over. But then WinStar World Casino decided to plonk a massive riverboat gambling casino there. Before you could say “bingo”, Thackerville was suddenly on the map. The casino started to instantly pull thousands of tourists in from all over the adjoining states. Not only that, but it created literally thousands of jobs. The town had gone from being a sleepy village into a bustling town in less time than to spin a roulette wheel.

Our Favorite Riverboat Casinos

Sam’s town – shreveport, la.

This casino is familiar to all gamblers who go to Las Vegas. In fact, it’s been a gambling institution for many years now. It’s situated on the shores of the muddy Mississippi River. It has all the luxuries you’d expect from a historic casino in Vegas. There’s a spa for relaxing in after a hard day at the slots. These, by the way, are all joined together to create a local progressive jackpot of around $80,000.

Casino Queen Marquette – Marquette, IA

If you’re not a high roller, but want the high roller experience, then look no further than the Casino Queen. This is a relatively small casino floating on the Mississippi. There are just 8 gaming tables, which is tiny when you think of even the smallest venue in Las Vegas. But what they lack in table games, they certainly make up for with jackpot slots machines. There are a staggering 1,100 machines to choose from. But the main feature that makes the Casino Queen so outstanding, is the staff. You’ll be hard pushed to find a more courteous and helpful staff as they have there. The level of service is second to none.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, IL

Just a short 40-mile drive going west out of Chicago, and there you’ll find the Grand Victoria Casino Elgin. A medium-sized venture, it has 36 games tables. And a whopping 1,000 slot machines to help increase your jackpot winning chances . But the casino isn’t just famous as a riverboat gambling venue. The owners place great emphasis on giving back to the community via various outreach programs. In fact, this being the highest-grossing casino in the state, it still manages to give away a huge part of it’s profits to the surrounding communities. So, if you happen to be playing there, be happy in the knowledge that part of your losses is going to good causes.

Conclusion: Riverboat Gambling

By their very nature, riverboat casinos can’t compete when it comes to the level of luxury found in land-based casinos. But what they don’t have in glitz, they certainly make up for with charm. And that’s a timeless old-world charm that’s hard to duplicate. Though these river paddle boats don’t actually move (thought here are some that do), there’s still a decidedly old fashioned feeling from gambling on the river. We suggest that they’re great to visit and play in, if nothing but for the change and the experience from your regular land-based casinos. You’ll be glad that you did.

Click here to visit King Billy Casino for fun-filled games!

About the Author

// More From jonathan

How To Find Gambling Success With Development Philosophies

The Top Most Exciting Horse Racing-Themed Slot Games

A Complete Guide To The Tour De France

Can Adult-Centred Las Vegas Ever Be Family Friendly?

Japan’s First Casino Get The Go Ahead In Osaka

A Complete Guide To Winning The Lottery Online

// Recommended by Experts

1xBET Sportsbook

King Billy Casino

20Bet Sportsbook

Tsars Casino

Bet365 Casino

// latest promotions.

Enjoy Euromillions at LottoKings: Win up to €130 Million

Australia’s Powerball at Wintrillions: Win up to $40 Million

Join Powerball at theLotter: Win $735 Million

Bounty Hunter Series at Betsafe Casino: Win Up to €250,000

Wheel of Chance at Everygame Casino: $100.00 Plus 50 FS

A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

• MEET THE TEAM
• PRIVACY POLICY
• TERMS OF USE

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.

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.

Team JST work with our sponsors, shop vendors, and many more to create informative and engaging content.

Jetset Times in your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy.

What To Consider When Choosing A Hotel In Las Vegas

Great Ways To Make Money Online In 2024

The Best Games To Play On Your Halloween-Themed Vacation

The Synergy Of Artificial Intelligence And Digital Art

6 Tips To Pack Your Products While Traveling

This Week In Illinois History: Riverboat Gambling Comes To Illinois (Feb. 7, 1991)

Illinoisans have bet on horseracing since 1927, purchased Lottery tickets since 1974 and gambled for non-profit charities since 1986.

But on Feb. 7, 1990, Gov. James Thompson signed the Riverboat Gambling Act , laying odds on economic development and tourism.

With a blackjack table as a desk, the signing ceremony took place at the Peoria Boatworks. A steamboat blasted its whistle while a calliope played “ Happy Days are Here Again .”

The newly created Illinois Gaming Board granted 10 licenses, giving preferential treatment to economically depressed areas outside the Chicago area. Riverboat casinos could operate only on water and gambling was permitted only after the boats left the dock.

The first license went to Alton, which launched Illinois’ first riverboat casino, the Alton Belle, on Sept. 10, 1991. The three-deck, 600-passenger boat held 296 slot machines and 22 gambling tables.

In the first year, riverboat gambling brought in $8 million in tax revenue. The next year, it raked in $54 million, surpassing horseracing revenue.

On May 21, 1999, Gov. George Ryan signed a new Riverboat Gambling Act, which allowed gambling to continue on riverboats while they remained dockside. The new law, however, allowed an easy work-around. Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, for example, dug a shallow pit on dry land, filled it with water, and built a casino over it.

Riverboat gambling tax revenue peaked at $699 million in 2005.

In June 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation allowing Illinois’ 10 riverboat casinos to move operations to dry land, effectively tapping out this brief and quirky footnote to our state history.

Legends of America

Traveling through american history, destinations & legends since 2003., gambling in the old west.

Depiction of Faro in Tonopah, Nevada, in 1905

Whether on a riverboat atop the Mighty Mississippi River or in the smoky dimness of a mining camp saloon , a lucky draw could turn a broken man into a winner. In the days of the frontier  west , poker was king with the mustachioed likes of Wild Bill Hickok , Doc Holliday , “ Canada” Bill Jones , Wyatt Earp , Bat Masterson , and hundreds of others.

In the old west towns of Deadwood , Dodge City , Tombstone , and Virginia City , gamblers played with their back to the wall and their guns at their sides, as dealers dealt games with names such as Chuck-A-Luck, Three Card Monte, High Dice, and Faro , by far the favorite in the wild west saloons.

The exact origin of poker is unknown, but many have speculated that it originated from the 16th-century Persian card game called As Nas. Played with a 25-card deck containing five suits, the rules were similar to today’s Five Card Stud. Others are of the opinion that it was invented by the Chinese in 900 A.D. In all likelihood, the game derived from elements of various gambling diversions that have been around from the beginning of time.

Poker in the United States was first widely played in New Orleans by French settlers playing a card game that involved bluffing and betting called Poque in the early 1800s. This old poker game was similar to the “draw poker” game today. New Orleans evolved as America’s first gambling city as riverboat men, plantation owners, and farmers avidly pursued the betting sport.

John Davis opened the first American gambling casino in New Orleans around 1822. The club, open 24 hours a day, provided gourmet food, liquor, roulette wheels, Faro tables, poker, and other games. Davis also made certain that painted ladies were never far away. Dozens of imitators soon followed, making the gaming dens the primary attraction of New Orleans. The city’s status as an international port and its thriving gambling industry created a new profession called the card “sharper.”

Professional gamblers and cheats gathered in a waterfront area known as “the swamp,” an area even the police were afraid to frequent, and any gambler lucky enough to win stood a good chance of losing his earnings to thieves outside of the gambling rooms and saloons.

Gambling was outlawed in the rest of the huge Louisiana territory in 1811, but New Orleans continued to enjoy the prosperity brought by gambling for more than 100 years. Though the law was passed for the entire Louisiana Purchase, it was obviously not enforced, and casinos and gambling began to spread.

As commerce developed on the waterways, gambling traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, then westward via covered wagons, and later on the railroad. The first written reference in the United States came from Jonathan H. Greer in 1834 when he referred to the amusement as the “cheating game.”

Some of the first gambling dens outside of New Orleans were started in river towns that were popular with both travelers and professional gamblers. It was here that many “sharpers” preyed on these transient people, with their pockets filled with their life savings, on the way to the new frontier. The dishonest gamblers also often ran confidence games and other con artist businesses in order to gaff the unwary pioneers. A host of companies specialized in manufacturing and selling card cheating devices. One riverboat gambler named George Devol was so proud of his ability to slip a stacked deck into a game that he once used four of them in one poker hand, dealing four aces to each of his four opponents.

It was professional gamblers who were largely responsible for the poker boom. Considering themselves as entrepreneurs, they took advantage of America’s growing obsession with gambling. Though they had a high opinion of themselves, the public viewed them with disdain, considering them as contributing nothing to society. This viewpoint was often warranted in many cases, as a large number of professional gamblers often cheated in order to win. To be successful, professional gamblers had to have irresistible personalities in order to attract men to play with them. Often dressing in dandy clothes, their success depended partly on chance and partly on skill, sometimes on sleight of hand, and in the Old West , their shooting abilities. By the 1830s, citizens began to blame professional gamblers for any and every crime in the area, and gambling itself began to be attacked.

James Bowie

It was during these riverboat gambling heydays that an interesting story occurred in 1832. On a Mississippi steamboat, four men were playing poker, three of which were professional gamblers, and the fourth, a hapless traveler from Natchez. Soon, the young, naïve man had lost all his money to the rigged game. Devastated, the Natchez man planned to throw himself into the river; however, an observer prevented his suicide attempt and then joined the card game with the “sharps.” In the middle of a high-stakes hand, the stranger caught one of the professionals cheating and pulled a knife on the gambler, yelling, “Show your hand! If it contains more than five cards, I shall kill you!” Six cards fell to the table when he twisted the cheater’s wrist. Immediately, the stranger took the $70,000 pot, returning $50,000 to the Natchez man and keeping $20,000 for his trouble. Shocked, the Natchez man stuttered, “Who the devil are you, anyway?” to which the stranger responded, “I am James Bowie .”

Anxious citizens of these river port towns grew increasingly wary of the confidence men that were multiplying so quickly. In Vicksburg, Mississippi , the citizens’ rage had become so increased by 1835 that a vigilante group lynched five cardsharps. Soon after this, many of the gamblers moved onto the riverboats, benefiting from the transient riverboat lifestyle.

After the Civil War , America pushed its boundaries West , where the frontier was born of speculators, travelers, and miners. These hardy pioneers had high risk-taking characteristics, making any gambling situation a popular pastime for these rough-and-tumble men of the frontier. In virtually every mining camp and prairie town, a poker table could soon be found in each saloon, surrounded by prospectors, lawmen , cowboys , railroad workers, soldiers , and outlaws for a chance to tempt fortune and fate.

During the California Gold Rush of 1849, gambling houses sprouted up all over northern California , offering a wide array of gaming tables, musicians, and pretty women to entertain the gamblers as they played. At this time, dance halls began to appear and spread throughout later settlements. While these saloons usually offered games of chance, their chief attraction was dancing. The customer generally paid 75¢ to $1.00 for a ticket to dance, with the proceeds being split between the dance hall girl and the saloon owner. After the dance, the girl would steer the gentleman to the bar, where she would make an additional commission from selling a drink.

A popular girl would average 50 dances a night, sometimes making more a night than a working man could make in a month. Dance hall girls made enough money that it was very rare for them to double as a prostitute. In fact, many former “ soiled doves ” found they could make more money as a dance hall girl.

As the Gold Rush gained momentum, San Francisco replaced New Orleans as the United States’ gambling center. Over 100 thriving saloons and brothels met the sailors and fortune-seeking travelers as they disembarked at the San Francisco harbor and stumbled into the infamous Barbary Coast Waterfront District.

Playing Poker

Faro was by far the most popular and prolific game played in Old West saloons, followed by Brag, Three-card-monte, and dice games such as High-low, Chuck-a-luck, and Grand hazard. During this time, gambling also began inviting more diversity, including Hispanics, blacks, Chinese, and women in the games. Three of this time’s more famous women gamblers were Calamity Jane , Poker Alice , and Madame Mustache .

Before long, many of the Old West mining camps, such as Deadwood , Leadville , and Tombstone , became as well known for gunfights over card games than they did for their wealth of gold and silver ore. Professional gamblers such as Doc Holliday and Wild Bill Hickok learned early to hone their six-shooter skills at the same pace as their gambling abilities. Taking swift action upon the green cloth became part of the gamblers’ code – shoot first and ask questions later.

One such occasion that clearly showed the quick and violent code was when Doc Holliday was dealing Faro to a local bully named Ed Bailey in Fort Griffin , Texas . Bailey was unimpressed with Doc’s reputation, and in an attempt to irritate him, he kept picking up the discards and looking at them. Peeking at the discards was strictly prohibited by the rules of Western Poker, a violation that could force the player to forfeit the pot.

Though Holliday warned Bailey twice, the bully ignored him and picked up the discards again. This time, Doc raked in the pot without showing his hand or saying a word. Bailey immediately brought out his pistol from under the table, but Doc’s lethal knife slashed the man across the stomach before the man could pull the trigger. With blood spilled everywhere, Bailey lay sprawled out dead across the table.

Inevitably, there were liquored-up miners and cowboys who would shoot up the saloons and sometimes the poker winner when they were angered by their losses. Even Wild Bill Hickok, mostly known for his heroics and prowess with a six-shooter, took advantage of those abilities when faced with a loss in Deadwood, South Dakota . Shortly before midnight, after a night of drinking and gambling, Hickok was playing a two-handed game with a man named McDonald when the stakes began to increase with every card dealt.

When the hand was complete and the middle of the table piled high with money, McDonald showed his hand, displaying three jacks. To this, Hickok responded, “I have a full house – aces over sixes,” then threw his hand face down upon the table. However, when McDonald picked up Hickok’s hand, he exclaimed, “I see only two aces and one six.” Wasting no time, Wild Bill drew his six-shooter with his right hand and replied, “Here’s my other six.” Then he flashed a bowie knife with his left hand, stating, “And here’s my one spot.” McDonald immediately backed down, saying coolly, “That hand is good. Take the pot.”

By the end of the 19th century, gambling had spread like wildfire through the many mining camps, multiplying as the gold and silver hunters spread across the West, searching for new strikes. At this time, states and cities started to take advantage of these growing ventures by taxing gambling dens and raising money for their communities.

During the late 1800s, many towns and states across the western frontier began to enact new laws against gambling. Attempting to gain new levels of respectability, the laws primarily targeted the “professional gambler” more than gaming in general. Some types of gambling were made illegal, while limits were established on others. Initially, anti-gaming laws were weak and had little real effect on gambling, as they were difficult to enforce, establishments simply introduced new variants, and penalties were light.

Faro gambling card game about 1900.

However, the laws were gradually strengthened,; ironically, Nevada was one of the first states in the West to make gambling illegal in 1909. Other states soon followed suit, and true to the worst fears of the Puritans, gangsters combined liquor and gambling in the cities of New York, Cleveland, and Chicago during the 1920s.

By the time the Hoover Dam was constructed in 1931, Nevada relaxed its gambling laws, and casinos once more began to flourish. By 1939, there were six casinos and 16 saloons in Las Vegas . As automobile traffic increased and people began to travel more for leisure, Las Vegas began to boom into the gambling Mecca it is today.

Over the years, poker has evolved through legitimate casinos and backroom games to its many present variations. Over the last decades, several states have reintroduced gambling in limited formats, and the fastest-growing gambling opportunity today doesn’t even require you to leave your home as you log onto your computer to tempt the fates. Carefully regulated by gaming laws, poker is now the most popular card game in the world.

© Kathy Alexander / Legends of America , updated October 2023.

“If you’re playing a poker game and you look around the table and can’t tell who the sucker is, it’s you.” – – Paul Newman

Playing Faro

Faro or “Bucking the Tiger”

Frontier Gambler

George Devol – Card Sharp of the Old West

Saloons of the Wild West

Scoundrels of the Old West

See our Gamblin’ In the Old West Photo Gallery HERE!

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

OnlineGamblingWebsites.com

Just another WordPress site

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.

Encyclopedia Dubuque

www.encyclopediadubuque.org

"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.” Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN

Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.

RIVERBOAT GAMBLING

RIVERBOAT GAMBLING. In March 1989 the Excursion Gambling Boat Act was passed by the Iowa Legislature. This law allowed limited, low-stakes casino gambling on Iowa's rivers and lakes beginning April 1, 1991. Iowa became the fourth state to adopt non-Indian, commercial casino gambling preceded by Nevada (1931), New Jersey (1976), and South Dakota (1988) and the first state to introduce riverboat gambling. While the legislation was promoted as economic development, the regulatory nature of the legislation was designed to maintain the wholesome image of Iowa. There was a $5 minimum wager and a $200 loss limit per excursion. Only 30% of the boat's square footage could be devoted to the casino, sailing was mandated rather than dockside gambling, and sections of the boat had to be devoted to persons under 21 years of age and to Iowa arts and crafts. Riverboats were chosen over land-based casinos because it was thought they would provide the greatest economic stimulus for surrounding businesses.

Dubuque interests were quick to capitalize on the new legislation. In 1990 The DUBUQUE RACING ASSOCIATION was first applicant approved to operate a river gambling boat in the state of Iowa. Robert KEHL had the DUBUQUE CASINO BELLE constructed and quickly moved to the ICE HARBOR . The Dubuque Casino Belle made her maiden voyage on April 1st 1991. From April 1, 1991, to March 31, 1992, Dubuque Casino Belle Inc. sold single-price admission tickets to the riverboat that entitled a patron to:

Tickets were $39.95 for a dinner cruise and $29.95 for a lunch or brunch cruise. During 1990 season, more than 250,000 people cruised with Roberts River Rides.

In the first year of riverboat operation, the Dubuque Racing Association prepaid, in its entirety, Ice Harbor improvement financing in excess of $4 million. (1) This resulted in the DRA remaining Iowa’s only nonprofit, debt-free pari-mutuel and riverboat licensee.

In 1991, Iowa's riverboats earned $63.8 million from 2.1 million visitors. In 1992 the revenue increased to $70.5 million and 2.2 million guests.

The success of riverboat gambling led to the construction of four new lodging facilities with 350 rooms, new restaurants, shopping facilities and tourist amenities in Dubuque. The DRA also pledged a large portion of its profits from the boat to the city. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992 the city received about $333,000. (2) In 1992 the city and county applied money raised from gambling to the general fund rather than target it to specific projects. (3)

The success of Iowa riverboats brought quick competition from surrounding states. In January 1990 the Illinois Legislature passed the Riverboat Gambling Act, and boats began operating from Illinois on September 11, 1991. The first boats at Alton and Peoria were distant enough not to affect the Iowa market, but in 1992 Illinois boats operating with less regulation opened in Rock Island and East Dubuque.

Kehl announced on August 24, 1992 that he had sold the Dubuque Casino Belle. He cited reasons for the sale including gambling restrictions in Iowa, his health, and the attractiveness of the offer which was $5 million more than $12 million he had originally paid for the boat. (4) The sale of the Casino Belle forced hotel operators to contact groups and associations that had booked rooms about other possibilities including the DUBUQUE GREYHOUND PARK AND CASINO or gambling on the Silver Eagle docked in East Dubuque, Illinois. (5) The decision to sell the boat did not surprise gambling regulators. Chuck Patton, riverboat gambling director of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, was quoted as saying gambling operators in other states with no limits soon discovered that it took two years to build a top of the line quality boat. It was easier to buy one. (6)

The potential financial impact on Dubuque shook the DRA. The contract that existed with the Kehls was researched and in October the DRA and its attorney met to consider legal action. When the Kehls announced the sale of the Casino Belle, they still had a year left on their three year contract to supply a gambling boat in Dubuque. The DRA had sixty days to match the $17 million offer, but chose not to do so. (7) In November the DRA announced that it would hold the Kehls responsible for any financial damages it (the DRA) sustained after the boat left Dubuque. The contract had called for the Kehls to make a minimum payment of $500,000 to the DRA. The admission payment had been eliminated during the second year of the contract, but was to be reinstated in the third year unless the contract was renegotiated. The Kehls, according to the contract, were also to pay the DRA a percentage of the gaming revenue (12.5% of the first $5 million and 15% of revenue exceeding $5 million). (8) Efforts were immediately started to look for a new boat that could be brought to Dubuque.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission chose to consider the issue of the Belle's sale at it meeting in December, 1992. The Commission was required to approve all contracts over $50,000 entered into by its licensees. The primary concern, however, was not about the sale but about the integrity of the boat's buyers. (9) The questions were resolved and on February 3, 1993 the Commission officially approved the sale.

Soon after the Casino Belle sale, the DRA began a search for an alternate boat. By February the choices were reduced to two possibilities: the Greater Dubuque Riverboat Entertainment Company headed by Joseph ZWACK and another composed primarily of Kehl's children. The DRA selected the GDREC as the new boat operator. (10) Zwack stated that his group's proposal was based on a sound business plan and that if it did not purchase its boat, it would have a lease option to purchase. (11)

On March 15, 1993 the DRA received a proposal from Bob Kehl to continue operating a riverboat in Dubuque. According to the offer, the Dubuque Casino Belle would remain in Dubuque after April 1st when it was scheduled to leave. The Belle would be replaced by the Quad City Queen once renovations were complete probably in May. The Queen would continue to operate in Dubuque until April 1, 1994 which would complete the third year of Kehl's contract with the DRA. The offer contained an option to extend the contract for a number of years. DRA officials said that it would not accept the offer because it already had a contract with GDREC. (12)

The GDREC’s boat, the Andrew Fletcher, was a paddle-wheeler berthed in New York City's East River. Refurbishing included removing the paddle-wheel from the 185-foot, three-deck, 800-passenger boat and refitting it with a diesel engine. The boat was to sail to the Gulf Coast where a propulsion engine and gambling equipment would be installed. (13) In June, 1993 a contest was held to rename the boat with 2,000 people submitting names. Joe Mulgrew, of Dubuque, was the first to submit the winning name--"Diamond Jo" won $500. It was also announced at the time that the boat would not arrive as planned by August. (14)

In April of 1993, the Belle departed the Ice Harbor, after being sold to St. Charles Riverfront Station which moved the boat south to eventually start up a Missouri gaming operation. (15)

GDREC began negotiations with the Kehls to buy or lease the Portside building and to purchase the Quad City Queen, a small riverboat casino. GDREC wanted a place to dock the Diamond Jo when it arrived in September and to use the Quad City Queen until the new boat arrived. The Diamond Jo would not be ready for cruises until the end of October. The Kehls notified GDREC that the Queen had been sold and GDREC began negotiations with the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY for docking space. (16) The Kehls did not respond to an offer to lease space in The Portside. GDREC approached the historical society about leasing about half of the main floor of the society's portion of the building and some additional space underneath. Another option was to construct a building. (17)

On August 10, 1993 the GDREC gave the DRA $10,000 representing the money it owed for the first eight days the Diamond Jo did not meet its original projected start-up date of August 1. The GDREC was obligated to pay $1,250 for each day the boat was late. The money was to go to the city and county to make up for the lost revenue they would have had from the casino. (18) On August 26th the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved contracts with the GDREC including $1.9 million for renovations of the boat. The organization's boat had been to three different different shipyards in Louisiana before settling at Bollinger Quick Repair Shipyard Inc. The contract stipulated an October 29th arrival in Dubuque with a $3,000 per day bonus, up to ten days, if it arrived early and a similar amount for ten days if it were late. (19)

On October 8, 1993 DRA officials announced that they had voted unanimously to file a breach of contract lawsuit against the Dubuque Casino Belle, Inc. The Association noted that it had a three-year contract (April 1, 1991 to March 31, 1994) with Kehl and the Dubuque Casino Belle and that Kehl had breached the contract by not providing the DRA with a gambling boat during the 1993-94 season. The original contract stated that Kehl guaranteed the DRA at least $1 million annually if the Casino Belle ho competition from floating casinos in Jo Daviess County, Illinois or Grant County, Wisconsin. This was reduced to $83,333 for every month competition was present in those counties (20)

On October 23, 1993 GDREC announced that design changes to their boat would result in arrival delays. Officials stated their hopes that the boat could leave Louisiana the second week of November. In other matters, the GDREC announced that it would lease the Queen of Hearts excursion boat from Moline, Illinois for $10,500 per month as a boarding and ticketing facility. (21)

The announcement in late November, 1993 that the GDREC boat would not be able to leave the Louisiana boatyard in November prompted action from the DRA. The association's board directed staff to investigate the possibility of hiring an expert to report on construction progress. The action resulted in hiring Arthur Darden Inc., a naval architect and marine engineering firm. A company representative would visit the construction site once every two weeks for a day until the GDREC boat was certified. (22)

On January 28, 1994 a judge ruled against the involvement of the city and county in the suit of the DRA against the Kehls. Both governments had tried to support the claim, but the judge ruled they had not been legally damaged. (23)

After months of negotiations, GDREC officials signed a lease with Portside owners, Bob and Ruth Kehl. The two-year lease was to begin March 1, 1994. Certain issues remained unsettled. In its lawsuit against the Kehls, DRA said it should not have to abide by a clause in its operating agreement requiring it to buy Portside. (24)

Despite the poor performance and then closing of three of Iowa's riverboats, legislation to relax gambling regulation repeatedly failed. Riverboat gambling according to many had been successful in promoting tourism and was never intended to become an industry. Despite setbacks, pressure continued from riverboat owners to lift betting/loss limits and space restrictions. These people were joined by parimutuel racetrack owners who wanted slot machines and even Iowans who favored less restriction. Concerns about the effects of gambling eventually led the Iowa House to only approve the new legislation by a 51-49 vote. Before gambling laws could be eased, local approval was required in counties where riverboats and racetracks were operated.

In May 1994 Dubuque County residents had to vote on two important local issues. Voters were to decide whether they wanted riverboat gambling without betting limits and if they wanted slot machines at Dubuque Greyhound Park. The Committee to Save Jobs in Dubuque County estimated that it would spend $90,000 on supporting the measures by the time of the election. (25) The election resulted in passage of both measures. Gambling without betting limits passed unofficially by 80% with slot machines at the track passing by 74%. (26) The 'Save Job' campaign later reported that it had spent nearly $129,000. (27)

The new law passed by the Iowa Legislature gave passengers more time to gamble but less time to cruise the river. The law reduced the number of cruises to a minimum of 100 annually with each at least two hours. The Diamond Jo would be open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Monday through Friday with permission to remain open until 4:00 a.m. The boat would operate twenty-four hours daily on Saturday and Sunday. (28)

Refurbished for a capacity of 700 people, the "Diamond Jo" became operational May 18, 1994. Just days later, the GDREC operators were facing a threat to their license and what they called a hostile takeover bid by a Las Vegas company. Two former owners claimed they had the right to sell their shares to United Gaming Inc., of Las Vegas. A lawyer for the company claimed the two men could sue GDREC if they were not allowed to make the sale. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission asked GDREC and its manager, Joe Zwack, to appear at a June 21st meeting to show why the license for the boat should not be revoked or suspended citing twelve apparent violations of the law including failure to disclose ownership transfers and misleading the commission about completion of the boat. (29)

All of the investors of GDREC were invited to a reception hosted by United Gaming on June 1, 1994. The company proposed investing $28 million in GDREC which included acquiring 80.1% of its shares. United Games claimed to have the option of purchasing 16 shares from individual shareholders and 37 shares on which former owners Bill Alfredo and John Schegan claimed to have options. In June of 1993, Zwack had given Alfredo an option to purchase ten shares and Alfredo later transferred seven of those to Schegan. None of the agreements were submitted to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for approval. GDREC disputed Alfredo and Schegan controlling these shares because they were not licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Some investors picketed the reception and carried signs like "No U-Games 4 Dubuque." (30) The charm offensive quickly turned as on June 3, 1994 United Games sued GDREC and Zwack claiming mismanagement. (31) In reaction, thirty-seven "passive" investors each paid $31 to be included in a half-page advertisement in the Telegraph Herald opposing the Las Vegas company. The advertisement asked citizens to write the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission about their support of the local operation. (32) On June 5, 1994 United Games announced it was claiming two-thirds ownership of Riverboat Management Company formed by the original three investors in the company that operated the Dubuque Diamond Jo Casino. (33)

In late June, 1994 the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission rejected a contract between the boat and Riverboat Management Company, the organization originally formed by Zwack, Alfredo and Schegan to manage the boat for the passive investors. The contract had never been brought to the commission and Riverboat Management had never been licensed. The commission then approved a plan to have the Dubuque Racing Association manage the Dubuque Diamond Jo Casino and rejected options contracts unless or until Alfredo and Schegan were found suitable for licensing. Zwack, who wanted to return to his private law practice, was replaced by the racing association management team. (34)

On June 28th it was announced that Schegan was suitable for licensing for the limited purpose of transferring five units of stock to a licensed entity within 90 days. The commission unanimously ruled that Alfredo had not demonstrated suitablity for licensure or for control of option interests. The commission, however, stated that it did not have the power to determine any legal rights that Alfredo might have or whether the options were in compliance with the riverboat company's operating agreement. If a court ruled that Alfredo did have control of any ownership while the Diamond Jo was licensed, the company would be in violation of Iowa law. The commission would then open a license revocation hearing. (35)

With less than a week on the job, Bruce Wentworth, the racing association' general manager announced hospitality training and alcohol awareness training for employees had been arranged along with an internal audit of strengths and weaknesses of the boat's operation. (36)

In early October 1995, GDREC replaced the original Diamond Jo with a larger 1,500-passenger, 305-foot vessel, which was placed in operation at Dubuque’s Ice Harbor.

In July 1999 Peninsula Gaming purchased the Diamond Jo Casino. Peninsula Gaming continued to operate the vessel.

1. Webber, Steve. "Kehl Writes Another Chapter," Telegraph Herald , August 24, 1992, p. 1

2. Hanson, Lynn and Webber, Steve. "City Officials Find Belle Rumors True," Telegraph Herald , August 24, 1992, p. 10A

3. Arnold, Bill and Japsen, Bruce. "Wanted: 1 Revenue Riverboat," Telegraph Herald , August 26, 1992, p. 1.

4. Bergstrom, Kathy. "DRA Offer Could Keep Boat Here," Telegraph Herald , August 24, 1992, p. 1

5. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Belle Decision Leaves Rough Wake," Telegraph Herald , August 25, 1992, p. 1

6. Webber, Steve and Bergstrom, Kathy. "Gambling Regulators Not Shocked by Kehl Announcement," Telegraph Herald , August 25, 1992, p. 4A.

7. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Belle Suit Discussed by DRA," Telegraph Herald , October 30, 1992, p. 1

8. Bergstrom, Kathy. "DRA: Belle Responsible for Damages," Telegraph Herald , November 18, 1992, p. 1

9. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Gaming Panel to Consider Casino Belle Sale," Telegraph Herald , December 12, 1992, p. 3A

10. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Kehl Family Bypassed for Casino Newcomers," Telegraph Herald, February 4, 1993, p. 1

11. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Zwack: Plan Sound," Telegraph Herald , February 5, 1993, p. 3A

12. Bergstrom, Kathy. "DRA Rejects Boat Proposal by Kehl," Telegraph Herald , March 18, 1993, p. 1

13. Webber, Steve. "Casino License Approved--With Strings," Telegraph Herald , March 19, 1993, p. 1

14. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Casino to Arrive Late," Telegraph Herald , June 7, 1993, p. 1

15. Bergstrom, Kathy. "DRA Reviews Contract," Telegraph Herald , August 25, 1992, p. 1

16. Dickel, Dean. "Zwack Group Can't Use Queen as Interim Boat," Telegraph Herald , June 28, 1993, p. 3A

17. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Riverboat Group Seeks Ticketing Facility," Telegraph Herald , September 22, 1993, p. 2

18. "Diamond Jo Pays No-Show Penalty," Telegraph Herald , August 11, 1993, p. 1

19. "Racing Panel OKs Diamond Jo Contracts," Telegraph Herald , August 27, 1993, p. 3A

20. Webber, Steve. "DRA Votes to Sue Casino Belle," Telegraph Herald , October 8, 1993, p. 1

21. "Diamond Jo Cruises Pushed to December," Telegraph Herald , October 22, 1993, p. 1

22. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Racing Group Hires Monitor for Riverboat," Telegraph Herald , December 1, 1993, p. 3A

23. Bergstrom, Kathy. "City, County Won't Appeal Belle Ruling," Telegraph Herald , February 22, 1994, p. 2A

24. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Diamond Jo Group to Lease Portside," Telegraph Herald , December 15, 1993, p. 2A

25. Bergstrom, Kathy "Casino Backers to Spend $90,000," Telegraph Herald , May 12, 1994, p. 1

26. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Yes/Yes," Telegraph Herald , May 18, 1994, p. 1

27. Bergstrom, Kathy. " 'Save Jobs' Campaign Costs $129,000," Telegraph Herald , June 7, 1994, p. 3A

28. Bergstrom, Kathy, "Less on River, More at Dock," Telegraph Herald , May 20, 1994, p. 1

29. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Diamond Jo License in Jeopardy," Telegraph Herald , May 27, 1994, p. 1

30. Bergstrom, Kathy. "United Makes Pitch for Shares," Telegraph Herald , June 1, 1994, p. 1

31. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Vegas Firm Sues Diamond Jo," Telegraph Herald , June 3, 1994, p. 1

32. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Investors Counter Boat Bid," Telegraph Herald , June 4, 1994, p. 1

33. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Vegas Firm Claims Part Ownership of Group," Telegraph Herald , June 5, 1994, p. 3A

34. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Diamond Jo Management OK'd," Telegraph Herald, June 21, 1994, p. 1

35. Bergstrom, Kathy. "Gaming Panel Approves Schegan," Telegraph Herald , June 28, 1994, p. 1

36. Bergstrom, Kathy. " 'Keep the Operation Viable,' " Telegraph Herald , June 29, 1994, p. 1

Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino, http://cicotello.com/Pictures%20and%20Information/USA/States/Iowa/Cities/D-L/Dubuque/Dubuque%20Greyhound%20Park%20&%20Casino/Dubuque%20Greyhound%20Park%20and%20Casino.htm

Iowa Tax Law Library Document 03300031

Nichols, Mark W. "History and Deregulation of Riverboat Gambling in Iowa and Illinois," Journal of Gambling Studies , online:www.business.unr.edu/faculty/.../cross%20border%20substitution.pdf

• Kendall C. Day Family Collection

Navigation menu

Page actions.

• View source

Personal tools

• Random Article
• Recent Changes
• What links here
• Related changes
• Special pages
• Printable version
• Permanent link
• Page information

• This page last modified 2 May 2021.
• Copyright Creative Commons BY-NC-SA .
• This page has been accessed 5,291 times.
• Privacy policy
• About Encyclopedia Dubuque

History of Gambling in the United States

Gambling in the United States has a long and storied history. In fact, American colonists were betting on the outcome of events long before the United States of America existed. Despite our puritanical past, many Americans enjoyed games of chance.

Two Cultural Traditions Shape America

In fact, as soon as we stepped off the boats on the East Coast, a dichotomy existed between the new arrivals. Traditional Englishmen enjoyed gambling, so these salty English settlers brought their favorite forms of gaming to the British colonies. These people wanted freedom from the stifling traditional class structure of England, to live life as free men on the own terms.

Another group of Englishmen came to America seeking freedom, but freedom of another kind. The Puritans were a sect of English Protestants who appeared in the 1500’s and tried to remake England as a moralistic, perfect society. Into the 17th century, they continued to struggle to remake England, but by the 1620’s, they realized this was a failure. The Puritans moved to Holland first, and then to the New World. When they came, they wanted to construct a perfect society free of sin.

These two traditions clashed in those days and, in many ways, continue to clash over American culture and politics in the 21st century. Gambling laws make a telling record of these clashes, as the American people have seen periods where they favored more gambling, and then eras when they banned it altogether. But gambling has been a cornerstone of this country from the beginning.

Revolutionary War Raffles

In fact, an independent American government might never have existed, if it were for gambling. When the Continental Congress sent the Declaration of Independence to the King of England and rebelled against his authority in 1776, its politicians had a difficult time funding the War of Independence. Until the French agreed to back the American cause in 1778 after the Battle of Saratoga, the Congress was constantly scraping together funds for the Continental Army led by General Washington. One of the chief ways they raised funds was through raffles. These became key factors in raising the money to continue the war, at least until the French entry into the war allowed the Founding Fathers to borrow funds from the big European banking houses.

Early United States

This open attitude towards gambling continued in the early decades of the USA. Freedom from central government was important to the men who fought for that freedom, so Americans faced little legal repercussions for gambling. Lotteries and raffles were widespread, while games like faro and blackjack were popular among the people. Horse racing, dog racing, and cock fighting were popular. In the early decades of the 1800’s, the American frontier was on the Mississippi River. Settlements were being built along the Mississippi, while old French towns like St. Louis and New Orleans were growing into cities. In these days, riverboat travel was becoming the key to settling the Mississippi River delta. Riverboat gambling became a part of the American culture at the time, and the riverboat gambler entered American folklore.

By the 1830’s, New Orleans became the center for gambling in the United States. Criminal enterprises began to spring up around gaming, and Americans on the frontier began to take justice into their own hands. Riverboat gambling began to get a bad reputation, as the professionals would come to local settlements and take advantage of the farmers. In the decade of the 1830’s, settlers in Mississippi lynched 5 professional gamblers. This proved effective in driving away gaming activities in certain riverside communities, but the period from 1840 to 1860 became the apex of the riverboat gambling lifestyle.

Outlawing the Lotteries

The 1830’s was a decade of reform in the United States. Andrew Jackson came to the presidency as an outsider, the first president not from Virginia or New England. He reformed the American banking system, and people of the country wanted to eliminate corruption in other areas of their society. New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania outlawed lotteries in their states in 1833. By 1840, all U.S. states had outlawed lottery gambling, due to widespread corruption in the result.

Gambling on the Frontier

American in the 19th century was about a frontier going ever westward. By and large, the first settlers to an area were men, and the men of the time enjoyed gambling. A pattern emerged where frontier towns would grow into boom towns, usually over a gold rush or the cattle trade. Saloons would house cards and dice games. When the women arrived at a later stage, they wanted less gambling and less carousing at the saloons. Schools and churches replaced some of the saltier establishments, and reform would come to the region. As reform movements came to the Mississippi River region, new frontiers opened out west. The United States won the rights to California in a war with Mexico from 1845 to 1848. In 1849, as Americans moved into California, gold was discovered. This started a gold rush to Northern California, making San Francisco a major western city. As always, gambling became a major part of the local culture, and San Francisco became the new capital of gambling in America.

The gold rush would end by the mid-1850’s. Over the next decade, Americans began to concern themselves with the issue of slavery. The inclusion of so much territory in the Mexican War brought with a question the country’s leaders couldn’t answer: would that territory be slave-holding or free? As the Civil War was being fought to determine the answer, American investors were building a transcontinental railroad to link east to west. Congress passed the National Railway Act in 1862. Railway companies started on either end and built from what is now the American Midwest and from San Francisco. By 1869, the first of five transcontinental railways linked up.

Old West Saloons

After the Civil War ended in 1865, many Americans were looking to rebuild their shattered lives. For many, settling on the frontier was the best hope. Recently freed slaves could hope for land and new start in the west, where hard work was valued over customs. One-fourth of all cowboys were African-Americans. Northerners tired of living in cramped, increasingly industrial northern cities could hope for free land and a new lifestyle out west. Southerners really by defeat or fearful of losing jobs to freed slaves also could find new land. With railroads making the journey easier, Americans relocated in hundreds of settlements throughout the American west.

Many of these people were traumatized by the war. Placed in a lawless environment in the western expanses, this wave of settlement created what we now know as the Old West. In the Old Western saloons, gambling became a major pastime of cowboys on the cattle trails, local farmers, and workers on the railroads. Faro, which has a strong resemblance to baccarat, was the game of choice. The same pattern played out in the Old West. Professional gamblers gained a bad reputation, and lynching of gamblers began in San Francisco as early as 1856. In the pre-state territories, anti-gambling laws were weak or non-existent. Even when states were formed, the laws were often weak. But as the west became more settled, laws began to be enacted. From 1860 onward, banking games (players versus the house) were outlawed.

Louisiana Lottery

Back in the east, the Louisiana Lottery became the chief gaming company for many states. In 1868, the U.S. Congress approved a 25-year license for the Louisiana Lottery. Because officials were bribed to see the law through, the lottery gained an immediate bad reputation. Still, the license continued through the 1870s and 1880s. Former Confederate generals P.G.T. Beauregard and Jubal Early held the drawings, while Charles T. Howard and John A. Morris collected the profits. The lottery was ended in the early 1890’s, but not before giving lottery gaming a bad reputation in the USA.

Slot Machines

San Francisco saw the invention of the slot machine in the 1890’s. Charles Fey, a German-born immigrant, built the Liberty Bell machine and started placing them in saloons in the early 1900’s. These machines paid out money at first, but laws quickly made this illegal. Instead, the machines contained small prized, gum, or fruit—which is why they often had fruit symbols on the reels (“fruit machines”). By 1910, slot machines were outlawed in many western states and cities. Throughout the next few decades, Charles Fey would continue to try to sell his machines, but it would take a new era of gambling to make them a big success.

Gambling in Nevada

The early 1900’s were a time of reform in the United States. Teddy Roosevelt was a trust buster as president from 1901 to 1909. Women agitated for the right to vote, which was passed in 1920. The temperance movement also was strong in this era, strong enough that Prohibition was passed in 1920. In this era, gambling became an outlawed practice throughout most of the USA.

Nevada, which had legalized gambling up until 1910, had followed the rest of the nation by banning games of chance from 1910 until 1931. When the Depression began, the State of Nevada began having serious trouble raising state funds. In 1931, Nevada lawmakers agreed to legalize gambling. Over the next ten years, investors began to build casinos in the Nevada Desert. When the Hoover Dam was completed in 1936, settlement in that desert became more viable. By the 1940’s, Las Vegas (30 miles from the Hoover Dam) began to see large-scale construction of casinos—often with mob funds.

Las Vegas was built to attract gamblers from the growing city of Los Angeles. In the late 1940’s and 1950’s, Americans were experiencing a new prosperity. After living through the Great Depression and the terrors of World War II, Americans wanted to get back to the business of making money. Though they had a strong work ethic, the new American middle class also wanted to enjoy their fruits of their labor by taking vacations to interesting places. Las Vegas became one of the favorite destinations for such people.

Las Vegas casinos offered all sorts of games, from blackjack and roulette to the increasingly popular poker. Slot machines were a diversion for many, but they didn’t yet have the popularity which would come decades later. Vegas casinos began to sign famous musical acts to put on shows for the tourists, so that men as disparate as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley became associated with Las Vegas.

Reno and Atlantic City

Other gambling destinations sprang up. Reno attracted gamblers from San Francisco and northern California. The legislature of New Jersey passed laws in the late 1970s, opening up the Atlantic City Boardwalk to casino gambling. This would presage big gambling establishments all over the country, in places like Tunica and Gulfport, Mississippi.

Lottery Gambling Returns

Also in the 1970s, U.S. states began to reintroduce lottery gambling. This time, the gaming was run by the state-licensed companies. Often, politicians sold these state lotteries as a chance to raise money for education, though they were really just a way to swell the state’s treasury. These games had the worst odds of any form of gambling, but also offered the biggest prizes. As time passed, the state lotteries began to compete with the multi-state lotteries: Powerball and Mega Millions. These would grow from a small number of states in the multi-state lottery associations until they had up to 43 different states competing. These lottery games saw jackpots in the tens of millions, and sometimes in the hundreds of millions, of dollars. Charitable gambling had a resurgence, too. Charities offered bingo nights, poker nights, and pickles games. These non-profit organizations might include church groups, civic organizations, and police and fire departments.

Pari-Mutuel Wagers

Pari-mutuel wagering also became a big industry. The Kentucky horse racing industry became world famous, as the Kentucky Derby was broadcast to the entire world. This was just a part of a web of racetracks which offered betting on race day. The Triple Crown races including the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Maryland, and the Belmont Stakes near New York City. The Breeders Cup also became a prestigious annual race. These were the races at the pinnacle, but a web of racetracks sprung up across the United States. Thoroughbreds, harness racing, and greyhound tracks all became prevalent. In time, off-track betting was available in certain locations, while the gaming machines were placed at the track, creating “racinos”.

Native American Casinos

A landmark case before the Supreme Court in the late 1980s also paved the way for Indian casinos. In the 19th century, many Native American tribes signed treaties with the United States government. Despite the one-sided nature of these treaties, they were tacit admission by the American government that Indian tribes represented foreign nations.

This meant Native American reservations could be seen as foreign territory, and the Supreme Court confirmed the Indian tribes had legal sovereignty over their reservations. If the local tribe could come to a compact with the U.S. state whose borders they were inside, they could provide legal gambling venues even in states where casino gambling was illegal. Over time, a large network of Indian casinos have appeared across the American landscape. Some of these are among the largest in the world, taking into account casino floor space. The Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut and the Winstar in Oklahoma are among the most notable such establishments.

Online Gambling in the US

Another major innovation was online gambling in the United States. As the mainstream of Americans were joining the Internet, software programmers created ways for people to gamble online. In the mid-1990s, software development companies like Microgaming and Playtech were designing software. Major USA online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms were launching in 1996, 1997, and 1998. The American online gambling community was the largest and most profitable in the early days of the Internet.

This only increased after Chris Moneymaker’s win of the 2003 World Series of Poker. Televised Texas hold’em competitions became a staple of cable television, while the field at the WSOP Main Event swelled from a few hundred players to several thousand. Americans had never found it easier or more exciting to gamble. The online variety of gambling came to an end in 2006, when the U.S. Congress passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Though many Americans continued to gamble online after the UIGEA, the biggest online casinos and poker rooms left the American market.

This might not be a permanent exit. One thing the history of gambling in the United States shows us is the gambling laws are never permanent. Attitudes change as the American culture changes. As the moral framework of the USA evolves, US laws will evolve. The underlying fact is that many Americans love to gamble, even if a large segment of America has an ambivalent attitude to games of chance. This explains an often contradictory set of US gaming laws.

History of US Gambling

This page from the California Library provides a nice history of gambling in the United States. As you might expect from a California-based library, much of the later information focuses on the American Frontier and the Old West, so you won’t see much about the Louisiana Lottery of the 1800’s or the creation of Atlantic City. Still, it provides a nice overview, especially in the early days of American gambling.

History of Las Vegas

If you want to research the storied history of America’s gambling capital, this page from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority offers a history of Las Vegas itself. The timeline is broken down into seven different eras: Up-to-1899, 1900-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-Present. As you can tell, the information is going to deal more with the recent history of Vegas than anything. The timeline is divided into red-letter days instead of detailed paragraphs, so those who prefer to scan should be in luck. This is a good primer for those who want to know the high points of Las Vegas expansion and renovation. Nevada 150 Articles

The Review Journal’s Nevada 150 provides articles and other content covering the 150 year history of Las Vegas. You can learn how earthquakes shaped LV history, or what the early Mormon settlements were like. Or readers can learn how Carson City was connected to the American entertainment industry. Use the internal search engine to research more of Las Vegas’s long history.

Latest Posts

The Best Real Money Fish Games Online: Top Fish Table Casinos 2024

Play Top Lucky Irish Slots Online & Win Your Pot Of Gold

Secrets To Winning On Slot Machines

What Are The Best Online Casino Software Developers?

Best Slots At Las Atlantis Online Casino

Most popular posts.

Low Minimum Deposit Casinos: Start Playing With Only $10

Top Online Bingo Games To Play For Real Money

Popular pages, about legitimatecasino.com.

LegitimateCasino.com reviews Live and Online Gaming Operators to form an unbiased opinion and present it to readers.

LegitimateCasino.com does not offer a service but acts as a resource / informational site.

Online Gaming Legality

Please check that your target operators do indeed have the necessary certifications and / or gaming body approvals.

Legality typically depends on your country of origin, as well as the district or region from where you are accessing the website.

Problem Gaming

Please visit GA if you lose the ability to control your betting patterns online.

Please be honest with yourself and refrain from playing in heightened emotional states.

Guide to Problem Gambling

This content is not available

Get Email Updates from Ballotpedia

First Name *

Please complete the Captcha above

Ballotpedia on Facebook

  Share this page

  Follow Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia on Twitter

Ohio riverboat casino gambling initiative (1996).

Ohio Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Ohio on November 5, 1996 . It was defeated .

• 1 Election results
• 2 Path to the ballot
• 3 External links
• 4 Footnotes
• Election results

Text of measure

Ballot title.

The ballot title for Riverboat Casino Gambling Initiative was as follows:

Path to the ballot

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution . Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Ohio also requires initiative sponsors to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition application. Ohio has a signature distribution requirement , which requires that signatures be gathered from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitioners must gather signatures equal to a minimum of half the total required percentage of the gubernatorial vote in each of the 44 counties. Petitions are allowed to circulate for an indefinite period of time. Signatures are due 125 days prior to the general election that proponents want the initiative on.

• 1996 Measures
• Gambling on the ballot
• 1996 legislative sessions
• Ohio ballot measures
• Ohio ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Cleveland State University Law Library , "Ohio Constitution - Law and History: Table of Proposed Amendments," June 2, 2023
• Ohio 1996 ballot measures
• State ballots, 1996
• State Ballot Measure, November 5, 1996
• Defeated, 1996
• Defeated, November 5, 1996
• Ohio 1996 ballot measures, certified
• Gambling, Ohio
• Gambling, 1996
• Certified, gambling, 1996
• Initiated amendment certified for the 1996 ballot
• Pages using DynamicPageList3 parser function

Ballotpedia features 451,796 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Click here to contact our editorial staff or report an error . For media inquiries, contact us here . Please donate here to support our continued expansion.

Information about voting

• What's on my ballot?
• Where do I vote?
• How do I register to vote?
• How do I request a ballot?
• When do I vote?
• When are polls open?
• Who represents me?

2024 Elections

• Presidential election
• Presidential candidates
• Congressional elections
• Ballot measures
• State executive elections
• State legislative elections
• State judge elections
• Local elections
• School board elections

2025 Elections

• State executives
• State legislatures
• State judges
• Municipal officials
• School boards
• Election legislation tracking
• State trifectas
• State triplexes
• Redistricting
• Pivot counties
• State supreme court partisanship
• Polling indexes

Public Policy

• Administrative state
• Criminal justice policy
• Education policy
• Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
• Unemployment insurance
• Work requirements
• Policy in the states

Information for candidates

• Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey
• How do I run for office?
• How do I update a page?
• Send us candidate contact info

Get Engaged

• Donate to Ballotpedia
• Report an error
• Newsletters
• Ballotpedia podcast
• Ballotpedia Boutique
• Media inquiries
• Premium research services
• 2024 Elections calendar
• 2024 Presidential election
• Biden Administration
• Recall elections
• Ballotpedia News

SITE NAVIGATION

• Ballotpedia's Sample Ballot
• 2024 Congressional elections
• 2024 State executive elections
• 2024 State legislative elections
• 2024 State judge elections
• 2024 Local elections
• 2024 Ballot measures
• Upcoming elections
• 2025 Statewide primary dates
• 2025 State executive elections
• 2025 State legislative elections
• 2025 Local elections
• 2025 Ballot measures
• Party committee fundraising, 2023-2024
• State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2023
• State government trifectas in 2023
• State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2023
• Endorsements in school board elections, 2023
• Partisanship in 2023 United States local elections
• Trends in 2023 ballot measures
• Cabinet officials
• Executive orders and actions
• Key legislation
• Judicial nominations
• White House senior staff
• U.S. President
• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Federal courts
• State government
• Municipal government
• Election policy
• Running for office
• Ballotpedia's weekly podcast
• About Ballotpedia
• Editorial independence
• Job opportunities
• News and events
• Privacy policy
• Disclaimers

© 2001 Matthew Brzezinski

Wakeboard club Istrawake

More then 5000 people have chosen our club for first steps on wakeboard since 2006, services our club offers the folowing services:, wakeboarding.

We have top level wakeboards. Tips and explanations of a professional instructor while riding maintained constantly and included into the price.

For skate and variety lovers.

Wakesurfing

Riding and training on world's top wakesurf towboat.

We wiil show you all interesting places on Istra river.

Tube riding

Carefully and gently or aggressively and extremely. It depends on your wishes.

Aquaskippers

Water kick scooter, up to 30 km/h on the muscular traction.

Boats and water bicycles

For those who like to spend their time in calm.

Videography

Professional extreme video shooting from "Monkeys fun".

Events. Parties, wake camps, trainings.

RECREATION CENTER SERVICES On the territory of our recreation, we offer the following services:

Accommodation

Clean beach

Terraces for barbecues

EQUIPMENT We offer the following equipment:

Best male and female wakeboards, different sizes (from 128 to 145) with good quality open toe bindings from the top manufactures: LiquidForce, HyperLite, Sligshot, CWB, OBRIEN. All equipment is in a good state and renews regulary.

Different sizes, for beginers and skilled riders. Many brands to choose from: LiquidForce, Hyperlite, Ronix, AFrame, Shred Stixx, Inland surfer.

Full and short, all sizes, female and male, good quality. Billabong, Quiksilver, Mystic, Jobe and others, more then 30 items.

Vests and Helmets

Wakeboard vests, all sizes. For everyone, from kids to big people. LiquidForce, Jobe, Billabong, Hyperlite. Helmets and gloves, specially for wakeboard.

Exciting attraction, tubing behind the boat. You can gently shake on the waves or test your nerves on a big speed with sharp turns. You need to book boat for this.

Water kick scooter on the muscular traction. Speed up to 30 km/h on hydrofoil, rider feels flying over the water.

Take sun bath alone, have fishing or arrange mass boat race - you can do all of this, on rowing boats or water bicycles.

All weather place, where you can eat, drink, make party, celebration.

Bayliner 175

Best for first time riding and trying simple tricks.

+7 (903) 102 1322

Beginers level profesional tow boat.

+7 (916) 688 0886

Mastercraft X9

Excellent tow boat with wide wake.

Centurion Elite

Very sharp wake, excellent wakesurf.

Malibu Wakesetter VLX

Good for both wakeboard and wakesurf.

Super Air Nautique 220

Additional ballast, wake switching system.

Centurion Enzo

Hi-class wakeboard and wakesurf, offical world wakesurf championship tow boat.

Mastercraft x45

Biggest boat for a big company

Mastercraft x-star

Legendary towing boat of X Games. World's best boat for wakeboard. Wakesurf wake is also on a excellent level.