Riverboat Casino
The World's Largest Riverboat Casino. Asking Price: $6,000,000 This vessel is now available to view in all its glory. This 408-foot (125m) permanent. Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, River City Casino offers a luxury hotel and casino with the best gaming and dining in St. Louis, Missouri. A riverboat casino is a type of casino on a riverboat found in several states in the United States with frontage on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, or along the Gulf Coast. Several states authorized this type of casino in order to enable gambling but limit the areas where casinos could be constructed; it was a type of legal fiction.
Riverboat casinos conjure images of gamblers in pork pie hats, the mighty Mississippi, and Mark Twain smoking corn cob pipes. These pieces of Americana can still be found in cities across the United States and make exciting vacation destinations.
Typically, this style of real money casinos are found along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. States known for their riverboats often border and contain tributaries of the Mississippi, although not all.
Once railroad transportation rose to dominance in the early 20th century, riverboats became entertainment destinations with its live music, dancing, and gambling. The riverboats carried guests on small excursions often leaving and docking every several hours.
Riverboats are known as a type of legal fiction, meaning they were created to limit the areas where gambling establishments could be constructed and often never leave the dock.
1 – The Amelia Belle in Amelia, LA
The first riverboat on the list is from Boyd Gaming, a casino and hospitality company based in Paradise, Nevada. Located in Amelia, Louisiana, between Morgan City and Houma, the Amelia Belle rests in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway.
One of the most beautiful riverboats on my list, this four-story casino has a classic turn of the century look and is impressive when lit up at night. Unique table game offerings include Three-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Mississippi Stud.
Along with your standard fare, the casino has a regular $10,000 giveaway and offers an advertised $777 slots jackpot. Don’t miss their touted Cajun Buffet for classic Louisiana favorites.
2 – The Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Illinois
The Grand Victoria is located on the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois. The destination is a holding of El Dorado Resorts, owners of the Tropicana, and another riverboat casino on my list, the Isle of Capri.
40 miles west of Downtown Chicago, the Grand Victoria boasts four restaurants:
- Buckinghams Steakhouse and Lounge
- Indulge Show Kitchen Buffet
- Crave Deli
- Prime Burgerhouse
The casino contains over 1,100 video poker and slot machines in addition to 36 table games. It is the highest-generating casino in the state of Illinois and is known for its community outreach programs. So, you can take added comfort knowing that your fun is contributing to local toy-collecting programs and not-for-profit organizations.
3 – Casino Queen Marquette in Marquette, Iowa
If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, this is your destination. The Queen Marquette is a smaller riverboat casino operated by CQ Holdings and is located in Marquette, Iowa. Like most of the riverboats on this list, the Queen Marquette rests on the Mississippi River. Across the river, you’ll find the quaint midwestern town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Although the Queen Marquette has only eight tables games, it more than makes up for it with over 566 slot machine games. Table games include blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, 21+3, Fusion Roulette, Shoot to Win Craps, and Fusion Blackjack.
Although most casinos have hosts whose job is to provide personalized service to casino guests, the Queen Marquette puts extra emphasis on this staff. Owing to their smaller size, they tout more focused attention and accommodation in planning your visit.
4 – Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Shreveport, Louisiana
The Sams’s Town name is synonymous with gambling in Las Vegas, but this casino in Shreveport, LA, brings the luxury of Vegas to the South.
All Sam’s slots are progressive, meaning with each play, your chance of winning one of several jackpots becomes greater. A spin of the ol’ triple double stars will win you a jackpot over $90,000.
Along with standard table games, Sam’s Town Shreveport offers variations such as Craps no More, Mini Baccarat, and Let it Ride.
If you’re feeling luxurious, stay in the 760-square-foot Magnolia Suite and dine at the elegant William B’s Steakhouse. Spa Blu offers a variety of spa treatments, including massages, facials, body treatments, manicures, and pedicures. Relax in their dry saunas and steam rooms to unwind after a long day of winning. Check out their entertainment venue, Sam’s Town Live, for great local and national acts.
5 – Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hollywood Casino is located right across the street from the state capitol building on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Hollywood Casino has an extensive Tier Credit program. At the Executive Producer level, customers can enjoy such benefits as personal host service, access to the exclusive Producer’s Lounge, and free sports tickets.
Riverboat Casino Ia
Hollywood Casino has your standard slots, video poker, and traditional table games.
The Hollywood boasts several restaurants, including The Celebrity Grill, Epic Buffet, the Take Two Deli, and more. After that, you can take to the links on the Copper Mill Golf Club.
Copper Mill is a “links-style” course reminiscent of those found in Scotland, with a unique layout that’s a combination of holes with three par 3 holes, three par 4 holes, and three par 5 holes on each nine. You can also take in the latest movies at the Movie Tavern which offers restaurant quality food while you relax and enjoy the show.
6 – Isle of Capri in Lake Charles, Louisiana
The Isle of Capri Casino, located off the aptly-named Lake Charles in Lake Charles, LA, provides a classic casino experience with a wide range of luxury suites.
The casino contains 30 table games, 11 poker tables, and over 1,100 slots. Like many casinos in southwest Louisiana, you’ll find the unique game of Pai Gow based off of the ancient Chinese game of dominoes adopted for a modern card deck.
Restaurants include the steakhouse Otis and Henry’s Bar and Grill, the Farmer’s Pick Buffet, and the diner-style Lone Wolf Express. Check out the lineup of live local entertainment and hear the unique sounds of Louisiana Swamp Pop, a variation of classic zydeco native to southwest Louisiana.
After dinner, relax on the upper deck with a drink, take in the view of the city lights, and watch the locals stroll along the downtown waterfront.
7 – Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, Louisiana
Located in the New Orleans suburb of Kenner, Treasure Chest is a 24,000-square-foot dockside riverboat resting on placid Lake Pontchartrain. Enjoy the distant view of the downtown New Orleans skyline and picturesque cypress tree groves in the bayous surrounding Kenner.
Unique table games include Mini Baccarat, Fortune Pai Gow, Flop Poker, Three-Card Poker, and Four-Card Poker. Restaurants include the Vista Buffet and Cafe Pontchartrain, both serving favorites of Louisiana food culture.
Once you’ve eaten your fill of boiled crawfish and steamed crab legs, take in the live entertainment in the Treasure Chests Caribbean Showroom. National acts are great, but the local Cajun and zydeco acts will give you a unique musical experience.
Conclusions
Riverboats may not have all the bells and whistles of your standard casinos (although some do), but what they lack in Vegas style amenities, they more than make up for in character. Riverboat casinos are perfect for those who are in it for the main draw, gambling, and would like to do so in a unique environment.
There are many destinations for riverboat casinos up and down the Mississippi River. There are also a few outside the confines of the “Mighty Mississippi.”
The next time you’re at one of these uniquely American establishments, hearken back to the turn of the century and imagine yourself amongst maverick gamblers and saloon-style showgirls. Riverboat casinos are the stuff of movies and novels, but you can still experience the atmosphere of this early American tradition today.
Keep your eyes peeled when on deck, you might see Huck Finn floating by leisurely on a wooden raft off on his next adventure.
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Argosy Alton BelleCasino 219 Piasa Alton, Illinois 62002-6232 Argosy's Alton Belle Casino is a dock side 90 Foot twin stack Riverboat Three gaming decks. 23,000 square foot casino Located just 25 minutes from St. Louis Open 7 days 8:00am until 6:00am. 1-800-711-GAME (4263). Web Address: http://www.argosy.com/stlouis/ Slot Machines: 988 total, from a nickel to $5.00 28 Table Games: Pai Gow Poker Blackjack Caribbean Stud Craps Let-It-Ride Roulette Three Card Poker 3 Restaurants: Key West Bar Outfitters Grill Captain's Table Buffet Lunch: 11am - 4pm Dinner: 4pm - 9pm (Sun - Thurs) and 4pm - 10pm Fri & Sat. RV Parking ??? RV Hook ups ??? Directions ??? Top of Page | |
Empress Casino Joliet River Boat Casino 2300 Empress Drive Empress Hotel 102 rooms Reservations (888) 4-EMPRESS Toll Free RV Parking (80-site RV Resort) Resort Reopens in April
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Casino Queen 200 S. Front Street E. St. Louis, Illinois 62201 The Casino Queen is a four-story, 2,500-passenger, old-fashioned replica, paddlewheeler docked (no cruises) on the Mississippi river. Located directly across from the St. Louis arch in East St. Louis Illinois. (290 miles S.W. of Chicago) East Saint Louis, Illinois From Illinois: Take I-55/I-70 to Third Street exit. Right on River Park Drive Telephone: (618) 874-5000 Reservations 1-800-777-0777 Website address: http://www.casinoqueen.com/ Casino Hours: 9am-6:30am Valet Parking: $4 Casino Size: 27,500 Square Feet 1,000 of the most popular slot and video poker machines Casino Queen Hotel Room Reservation Number: (800) 777-0777 Rooms: 150 Price Range: $89-$149 Suites: 7 Price Range: $300 10% room discount to AAA members. 4 Restaurants: Royal Table Riverview Grill Queen Courtyard Buffet: Breakfast - $5.95 Lunch - $8.95/$10.95 (Sun) Dinner - $12.95 $1 off buffets for slot club members. Senior Discount: On Wed. until 3:30 p.m., if 50 or older receive free Danish, coffee, juice Sr. 2-for-1 breakfast or lunch Sr. 35% off in gift shop and free valet parking. Sports Bar with Tv's and with live entertainment on weekends. MetroLink light-rail station, adjacent. High stakes wagering with table limits from $2 to $2,000 Table games: Craps Blackjack Roulette Let It Ride Caribbean Stud Pai Gow Mini-Baccarat 140 RV Parking with Pull-through sites include cable television, full internet access, with bath house and laundry facilities, $22.95 to ????? 1-800-777-0777 For RV Parking Reservations Top of Page | |
The Grand Victoria Riverboat Casino 250 S. Grove Avenue Elgin, Illinois 60120 click here for map General Information: 847-888-1000 Toll Free: 1-888-508-1900 http://www.grandvictoria-elgin.com 400 feet long and 100 feet wide. 16-foot ceilings. Table gaming is located on one deck in the casino. The 1,200-passenger paddle wheeler-replica is docked on the Fox River. Located 41 miles N.W. of Chicago Open daily 8:30am until 6:30am (22 hours.) Fun Book: Only available to groups Valet Parking: $5 Over 1000 slot and video machines Table Games: 26 Blackjack tables 6 Craps tables 4 Roulette tables 4 Caribbean Stud Poker tables 1 Full-size Baccarat table Many nearby Hotels and Motels 3 Restaurants plus a Deli Buffet $6.99 per person for lunch (11:30am - 3:30pm Mon-Thur) $9.99 per person for dinner (3:30pm - 9pm Mon- Thur) $14.99 per person for dinner (all day Fri, Sat and Sun) Senior Discount: 10% off buffet, if 65, or older. RV parking??? RV Hook ups??? Top of Page | |
Harrah's Joliet 150 N. Scott Street Joliet, Illinois 60431 Local: 815-740-7800 Toll Free: 1-800-427-7247 Web Address: http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/jol/index.html Casino is on a barge docked on the Des Plaines River Casino Size: 39,000 sq ft Valet Parking: $5 Casino Hours: 8:30am-6:30am Location: (43 miles S.W. of Chicago) Harrahs Hotel Reservation Number: 1-800-HARRAHS Rooms: 200 Price Range: $69-$159 Suites: 4 Price Range: $325 2 Restaurants: Buffets: Lunch - $7.99/$15.99 (Sat-Sun) Dinner - $9.99/ $14.99/$15.99 (Mon)/$18.99 Fri-Sun Harrah's Offers: 1100 slot machines Table Games: Blackjack Caribbean Stud Poker Baccarat Craps Roulette RV Parking ??? Rv hookups??? Top of Page | |
Harrah's Metropolis Casino 203 South Ferry Street Metropolis, Illinois 62960-202 (618) 524-2628 General Information (618) 524-5678 Web Address: http://www.harrahsmetropolis.com/casinos/harrahs-metropolis/casino-gambling/index.html Located at Southern tip of Illinois, dockside on the Ohio River. Casino Open 9am-7am daily. 30,000 square foot casino Directions: Take Highway 24 to Exit 37 (Highway 45), go north for three miles to Metropolis, turn left and go four blocks. Hotel Amerihost 120 rooms Located across the street from the Casino Hotel Reservations (800) 935-1111 Toll Free 3 Restaurants: The Range Steakhouse Fresh Market Square Buffet Fresh Market Express 1,200 slot machines: 5 cents to $10,00 Table Games - 25 total: Blackjack Craps Roulette Mini-Baccarat Caribbean Stud Poker Let It Ride Other Games: Video Poker- 97 machines Rv Parking ??? Rv Hook ups ??? Top of Page | |
Hollywood Casino 8 East Galena Boulevard Aurora, IL 60506 Phone: 630-801-7000 Toll Free: 800-888-7777 Web Address: http://www.hollywoodcasinoaurora.com/ This is a merging of two boats referred to as Hollywood Casino. 32,000 square feet of gaming space make up the two casinos. Open 8:30 am to 6:30 am 3 Restaurants: Fairbanks Steakhouse Take Two Deli Epic Buffet serves: Lunch: 11:30am - 3pm, $8.99/$11.99 Dinner: 4pm - 9pm, $12.99/$15.99 (Sun - Thur, Fri and Sat) 4pm-11pm Directions: On the Fox River between New York Street Bridge and the Illinois Avenue. Bridge 38 miles west of Chicago. O'Hare Airport, 38 miles. 1,105 slot machines: Nickel to $25 machines 61 Table Games: 34 Blackjack 7 Craps 4 Roulette 6 Caribbean Stud 2 Mini baccarat 8 Poker Entertainment Hollywood memorabilia for movie fans No on-site lodging; off-site lodging available, 1/2 block RV Parking ??? RV Hook ups??? Top of Page | |
Jumer's Casino Rock Island 18th St.- Mississippi Riverfront Rock Island, IL 61201 (309) 793-4200 General Information (800) 477-7747 Toll Free Web Address: http://www.jumerscri.com/ Open 8:00am-3:00am daily 13,200 square foot, Casino Rock Island is an 189 ft.900 passengers turn-of-the-century casino riverboat.. Three enclosed decks house two casinos areas, a restaurant, several bars and an entertainment lounge. Casino Directions From Chicago: 165 miles: take 88 west or 80 west to 280/74 west (combined route). Stay on 280 west, when it splits then exit to route 92 into Rock Island. That will bring you directly in front of the boatworks. From St. Louis: 232 miles: take 55 north to 74 west to 280/74 west (combined route). Stay on 280 west when it splits then exit to route 92 into Rock Island. That will bring you directly in front of the boatworks. Or take 67 north which takes you into downtown Rock Island. Turn right on 9th Avenue. Then turn left on 18th Street. That takes you directly in front of the boatworks. From Peoria: 90 miles: take 74 west to 280/74 west (combined route). Stay on 280 west, when it splits then exit to route 92 into Rock Island. That will bring you directly in front of the boatworks. Restaurant Effie Afton (Buffet Style) Lunch Buffet - $5.95 Dinner Buffet - $8.95 Sunday Brunch - $5.95 700 Slots 18 Table Games: Blackjack Caribbean Stud Poker Craps Roulette Video Poker- 20 machines Table bets from $2.00 to $1000.00 No accommodations on premises Stay across the river at: Jumer's Bettendorf Hotel Address: I-74 @ Spruce Hills Drive Bettendorf, Iowa U.S.A 52722 phone 1: 319-359-7141 phone 2: 1-800-285-8637 E-Mail: reservations@jumers.com RV Parking??? RV Hook ups??? Top of Page | |
Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, River Boat Casino 21 Blackjack Boulevard East Peoria, Illinois 61611-2011 (309) 698-7711 General Information (309) 699-9317 Casino open daily 8:30am - 4:00am 26,116 square foot casino Web Address:http://www.par-a-dice.com/ Directions To Casino: Take I-74 to exit 95B, East Peoria, IL Five Restaurants: Boyd's Steakhouse Nelsons Deli Bourbons Lounge Centerfield 9 Island Buffet Par-A-Dice Hotel 208 rooms and suites Reservations: 1-800-547-0711 Safe on Line Reservations Slot Machines: 1,150 5 cents to $100.00 Table Games - 30 total: Blackjack Caribbean Stud Poker Craps Roulette Progressive Video Poker 31 machines- 0$.25 to $1.25 bets Video Keno - 40 machines- $0.25 to $1.00 bets Video Poker- 141machines- $0.25 to $5.00 bets RV Parking??? RV hook ups??? | |
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