US Riverboat Gambling Casinos – How It All Started?
May 5, 2020 Tony ChristopherIn modern time, there are a lot of big and small cruise ships that provide different types of entertainment, including gambling. There is a popular saying: “Whatever floats your boat”, that we believe was taken a bit literally by US players back in the day. About two centuries ago, a new niche was introduced to the US economy. Riverboat gambling became a popular activity for those who wanted to get on an old-fashion flatboat and try their luck. Let’s learn more about riverboat gambling together!
We’re going to share some information on how it all started, how people cruised the Mississippi valley and other interesting details around riverboat casinos. Get your life-vests ready, we’re going on a riverboat ride!
Riverboat Gambling – How It All Started?
Riverboat gambling came as an idea simply out of…boredom. When you’re cruising on a boat, you don’t really have a lot to do besides small talk and sight-seeing. The activity became popular around the 1850s when most, if not all, casino facilities in the US were closed and gambling became illegal.
The first people who started the whole Mississippi riverboat gambling were wealthy merchants and businessmen that were traveling around to make deals and unload whatever they were selling. As there was an easy access to money, this made it easier for the merchant to start gambling in their spare time.
Later, professional players started to get interested and board on such flatboats to try their luck and show their skills. Since then, there are over 50 riverboat casinos in six states, according to stats from 2018.
Requirements and Top Modern-Day Riverboat Casinos
In a nutshell, riverboat gambling is quite an interesting and fun activity. Of course, there are a few requirements that should be followed for a riverboat casino to be safe and suitable for gambling activities. Here are some of the following:
- The boat must be in good shape and have a welcoming appearance.
- On the technical side, boats must be paddlewheel driven partially or completely to appear more authentic.
- The gambling riverboat casino must be able to board a minimum of 500 passengers and be at least 150 feet long.
- Wager limits per bet and per trip must be strictly followed and achieved!
- There are specific restrictions in the conduct of gambling that need to be applied, depending on the riverboat you’re boarding on.
- Like any casino, the riverboat one must also acquire and provide all the licenses and regulations needed.
- There are taxes like in land-based and online casinos. Depending on the law, the tax contribution may vary.
As promised, we’ve prepared a small list of some of the top modern Mississippi riverboat gambling casinos you could board on:
- 1.Grand Victoria Casino – This is a beautiful, 29 850-feet-long casino boat in Elgin, Illinois. The floating casino has been working since 1994 and is owned by Eldorado Resorts since 2018.
- 2.River City Casino – The casino boat is situated in Lemay, Missouri and it guarantees a fantastic casino experience! The boat is 90 000 square foot long and includes different gambling activities such as slot machines and gambling tables.
- 3.Amellia Belle – A popular and remarkable gambling ship that everyone talks about! The ship can be found in Louisiana and is owned by Boyd Gaming. There is a lot to do there – from playing at slot machines to playing poker at one of the many casino tables available.
We hope that our guide was helpful and that we’ve sparked your interest in riverboat gambling. Stay tuned for new interesting articles! Until next time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait! Don’t go yet! Do you have any questions regarding the topic? Is there something that we’ve missed to explain? If so, please refer to our FAQ section here below, where we’ve included popular questions asked by fellow gamblers about riverboat gambling.
🎲 Do River Cruises Have Gambling?
Most river cruises you look up on the Internet do offer gambling as well as other activities. It is not a necessity for small river cruises, but since it is a popular attraction for tourists and natives, it is pretty common that boats have a few slot machines and casino tables available.
🚢 Do Riverboat Casinos Move?
Some riverboats move while you're trying your luck at the floating casino. However, it is not so common nowadays for all riverboat casinos to sail – most of them are static by the coast. When choosing a riverboat casino to visit, make sure it covers the main requirements for riverboat gambling!
⚖️ Why Is Riverboat Gambling Legal?
Back in the day, gambling on land was banned in all the US. At some point, merchants and businessmen started playing out of boredom on their riverboats and slowly the idea of a floating casino came to be. Now, riverboats and cruise ships welcome players from all States to try their luck.
Okay, now you’re free to go! Make sure you check out our blog, where we’ve included a lot of interesting articles. Also, if you would like to learn more about gambling in the USA, head to our dedicated section on the site. There, you will find information about legal gambling age, available online casino sites and more! Until next time!
