{"id":1049,"date":"2020-06-01T11:21:30","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T15:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casino.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/?p=1049"},"modified":"2025-07-23T14:45:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T18:45:58","slug":"riverboat-gambling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/riverboat-gambling\/","title":{"rendered":"<strong>Riverboat Gambling and Entertainment Then and Now<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1240\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4.jpg\" alt=\"A riverboat alongside cityscape at night\" class=\"wp-image-3371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4.jpg 1240w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4-300x48.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4-1024x165.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4-768x124.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4.jpg?w=248 248w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/13055322\/H1-4.jpg?w=496 496w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Riverboat casinos are a popular form of entertainment all along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. As this mighty river flows across many different state lines, you can find these historic paddleboat gaming hubs in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi. Despite the rise of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/casino\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online casino games<\/a><\/strong> and futuristic high-end land-based casino resorts, this piece of gambling history has prevailed. Let\u2019s look at the history of riverboat casinos and where you can find them in America today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-the-mississippi-river\"><strong>Why the Mississippi River?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With so many rivers running through America, why is it that you can\u2019t tell the story of riverboat casinos without the Mississippi River? The Mississippi is the second-longest river in North America. It flows 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, through the center of the US to the Gulf of Mexico. This part of the world was known for the paddle steamers that used to cruise up and down this mighty river. It makes sense that riverboat gambling started here; after all, the river was the center of economic activity in the South in the 19th century.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-quick-history-of-riverboat-gambling\"><strong>A quick history of riverboat gambling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To see where riverboat casinos started, we have to go back to the 1800s, when the Mississippi Valley was the beating heart of the American economy. Back then, the Great River was a watery freeway, connecting traders and communities by river transports that could move faster and haul more loads than wagons and tired old mules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Games of chance were a great way to relieve the boredom of a riverboat commute for passengers and wealthy merchants alike. The mix of money and entertainment soon made gambling the activity of choice on board the old flatboats. Riverboats were a great place to have a party with music and dancing added to the mix. Old Blue was the merriest place in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passengers and merchants enjoyed <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/casino\/c\/tablegames\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">casino table games<\/a><\/strong> like roulette, blackjack and big 6 wheel. Poker was so popular with the French colonists who worked as crew members on Mississippi riverboats that it spread to all corners of the country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-end-of-the-riverboat-era\"><strong>The end of the riverboat era<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Families, trade and the great American novel flourished thanks to the big steam-propelled paddlewheel boats. But steam locomotives and trains would soon enter the market and provide more efficient transportation. The Doubleheader, the Kettle, the Dinky and the Bobtail Haul arrived and these steam locomotives made riverboats seem slow and old-fashioned by comparison. Soon Old Blue became the Big Muddy and the river\u2019s steamboats were no more than a nod to the past. But even though riverboats were no longer a central part of American trade, riverboats would evolve to become an important part of the entertainment and gambling industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-riverboat-gambling-regulations\"><strong>Riverboat gambling regulations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It wasn\u2019t until 1904 that the first riverboat casino, called the City of Traverse, set sail on Lake Michigan. At this time, gambling had started to take shape as an organized commercial operation. Due to the Big Muddy bordering a number of states, it was effectively a juridical gray area. This made gambling on the Great Mississippi a relatively safe bet from a legal point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, in 1951, Senator Lyndon Johnson had a hand in drafting the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act. This made it a crime to transport gambling devices across state lines unless it was allowed in the place you were headed to. It also made it possible for certain types of river vessels and some riverside destinations to continue plying their trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-modern-riverboat-gambling-regulations\"><strong>Modern riverboat gambling regulations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, riverboat gambling is legal in six states. Iowa led the way in 1991; Illinois and Louisiana followed in the same year. Mississippi, Indiana and Missouri legalized the activity in 1993.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These days, if you want to gamble onboard a vessel in waters bordering any of these six states, you\u2019ll need to be 21 years of age or older. Be sure to check out the gambling legislation in the state you\u2019ll be playing in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-impact-of-hurricane-katrina-on-gambling-legislation\"><strong>The impact of Hurricane Katrina on gambling legislation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The year 2005 was not a good one for the Mississippi River and its surrounding communities. Hurricane Katrina destroyed most riverboat casinos, with many Gulf Coast states changing their gambling legislation. This forced riverboat casinos to operate from dry land only. Almost all Gulf Coast riverboat casinos have been rebuilt since, but most remain dockside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-interesting-facts-about-riverboat-casinos\"><strong>Interesting facts about riverboat casinos<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino.jpg\" alt=\"The American Empress, a 360-foot diesel-powered paddle-wheeler riverboat\" class=\"wp-image-1052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino.jpg?w=520 520w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094234\/RiverboatCasino.jpg?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-largest-riverboat-on-the-mississippi\"><strong>The largest riverboat on the Mississippi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The American Empress, a 360ft diesel-powered paddle-wheeler riverboat, is the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi River. This cruise boat, which cruises the Columbia and Snake Rivers, also contains an interesting collection of artifacts and artwork from Native Alaska, the Gold Rush, Russia and the stern-wheeler era (in and around Portland, Oregon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gambling-cheats-suffered-harsh-punishments\"><strong>Gambling cheats suffered harsh punishments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Historians believe that gambling cheats were sometimes hung by vigilantes, who took the law into their own hands. One famous example happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1835, when five gamblers were lynched after they were found to be cheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-riverboat-casinos-had-style-and-size-requirements\"><strong>Riverboat casinos had style and size requirements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When riverboat gambling was legalized in the early 1990s, all Louisiana vessels had to look like 19th-century paddlewheel boats. In Indiana, the law required riverboat gaming houses to be at least 150 ft long and able to accommodate 500 passengers or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-earliest-casinos-had-to-be-in-motion-to-operate\"><strong>The earliest casinos had to be in motion to operate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In most eligible states, players were only allowed to gamble while the vessel was in motion. However, this changed when boats couldn\u2019t leave the shore due to bad weather or for other safety reasons. Now, of course, the opposite is true. Most states require riverboat casinos to stay dockside. This is just another example of how weird gambling laws in the US can be.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-riverboats-are-the-only-casinos-in-some-states\"><strong>Riverboats are the only casinos in some states<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2018, 63 riverboat casinos were operating across six states. More than a sideline, these gaming houses account for the entire commercial casino operation in the states of Illinois and Missouri. By the end of 2018, gambling revenue from boats totaled $382.5 million in state tax in Illinois and $152.1 million in Missouri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-best-riverboats-casinos-to-visit-in-america\"><strong>The best riverboats casinos to visit in America<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1300\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen.jpg\" alt=\"View of the Georgia Queen steamboat, a Savannah Riverboat Cruise tourist attraction on the Savannah River in Georgia\" class=\"wp-image-1051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen.jpg?w=520 520w, https:\/\/roarcdn.fitting-solutions.at\/borgata\/casino\/en\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/28094235\/GeorgiaQueen.jpg?w=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Riverboat casinos are a nostalgic part of American history \u2013 so far no steam locomotive or hurricane has been able to wipe them out. Even though some of the most beautiful abandoned casinos are riverboats, most of them continue to thrive and entertain guests today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, these grand old dames can still be found in cities along the Mississippi. They\u2019re popular destinations for tourists and recreational gamblers who want to experience casino games in a unique setting. Even if you\u2019re a new player who\u2019s still learning how to play craps at a casino, visiting a real riverboat casino should be on your bucket list. Here are some of our favorites in all six of the states where this practice has been legalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-grand-victoria-casino\"><strong>The Grand Victoria Casino<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Elgin, Illinois<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located on the Fox River in Elgin \u2013 around 40 miles west of Chicago \u2013 the Grand Victoria has four restaurants and more than 1,000 slots and video poker machines. The beautiful establishment also offers classics like craps, baccarat, blackjack and roulette casino games.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The casino\u2019s architecture and furnishings capture the beauty and romanticism of the past, but with all the benefits of modern amenities thrown in. The casino is also involved in outreach programs in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-casino-queen-marquette\"><strong>Casino Queen Marquette<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marquette, Iowa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Casino Queen Marquette is one of the smaller options on this list, but this means more personalized service. Across from the Mid-Western town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and moored on the west bank of the Mississippi River itself, the Casino Queen has only eight tables but more than 566 slot machines. Table games that attract the punters here include blackjack, Mississippi Stud and Ultimate Texas Hold\u2019em.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-treasure-chest-casino\"><strong>Treasure Chest Casino<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenner, Louisiana<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in Kenner, which is just outside New Orleans, this lakeside casino on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain captures the riverboat of yesteryear with interiors that are both classic and lavish. There\u2019s plenty to choose from with 36 table games and slot machines. Two dining areas offer a variety of cuisine, including boiled crawfish and steamed crab legs. For entertainment, visit the Treasure Chests Caribbean Showroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-amelia-belle\"><strong>Amelia Belle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Amelia, Louisiana<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This gorgeous riverboat is docked on the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway in southeast Louisiana. It offers a choice of classic casino games, from three-card poker and Mississippi Stud to Ultimate Texas Hold\u2019em and slot machines. You\u2019ll want to save some room for Amelia Belle\u2019s legendary all-you-can-eat Cajun Buffet, which is likely to feature well-known dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and dirty rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hollywood-casino-baton-rouge-nbsp\"><strong>Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Baton Rouge, Louisiana<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This riverboat is moored on the east bank of the Mississippi, right in the center of Baton Rouge. A visit to this boat is like a trip to Hollywood and Las Vegas rolled into one! You have a choice of 1,100 slot machines and a variety of table games at your fingertips. Gamblers who play to win at casinos will be thrilled by the variety of slots available here.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several dining options onboard the Hollywood Casino, including The Celebrity Grill, Epic Buffet and the Take Two Deli. If that\u2019s not enough, there\u2019s also the Movie Tavern, where you can kick back and watch a film or play a round at the nearby \u201clinks-style\u201d Copper Mill golf course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ameristar-casino\"><strong>Ameristar Casino<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vicksburg, Mississippi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Right on the banks of the famed Mississippi, more than 150 miles upstream from Baton Rouge, there\u2019s the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg. This luxurious establishment provides a poker room, caf\u00e9, restaurant and a hotel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also 30 table games, more than 1,400 slot machines and even sports betting kiosks. There\u2019s entertainment for everyone! The building is designed to have the look and feel of a traditional paddle steamer too, which will take you right back to the heyday of shipping along the Big Muddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you want a taste of the old riverboat experience without taking a trip? Celebrate the riverboat casino history with the Riverboat Queen online slot at Borgata Online. Explore many other historic-themed slots or play classic <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/casino\/c\/livedealer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">live dealer casino games<\/a><\/strong> with real croupiers. Borgata Online brings you all the charming features of traditional casinos packed into an innovative modern platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-step-into-the-future-with-online-casino-table-games-at-borgata-online\"><strong>Step into the future with online casino table games at Borgata Online<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Borgata, we bring years of expertise to the table and work with the best developers to bring you the ultimate live casino experience. For something traditional, join a virtual blackjack table to meet our professional online blackjack dealers or play from our extensive selection of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/casino\/c\/slots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online slots<\/a><\/strong>. Whatever your game of choice is, our live dealer casino will bring you the most immersive games on a safe and easy-to-use platform. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/mobileportal\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Register<\/a><\/strong> at Borgata Online and explore our wide array of exciting, real online casino games.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Through the ages, Mississippi riverboat casinos have inspired writers, movie directors, and songsters. These days, the grand old dames are mostly docked. But gamblers still enjoy exchanging an evening of their favorite online casino games for a bit of rollin\u2019 on the river. Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1053,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casino","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Riverboat Gambling &amp; Entertainment Along the Mississippi - Borgata Online<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Did you know you can still play casino games at a historic riverboat casino? Join us as we dive into the history of riverboats &amp; where you can find them today.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.borgataonline.com\/en\/blog\/riverboat-gambling\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Riverboat Gambling and Entertainment Then and Now\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Did you know you can still play casino games at a historic riverboat casino? 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