Which States Have Riverboat Gambling Casinos?
- A 1999 study showed more than 100 riverboat and dockside casinos ("floating structures") operating in six states. Iowa casinos began operating in 1991. Besides Iowa, states with this type of casino include Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri. Those with the most floating casino activities are Louisiana and Mississippi.
- The National Gambling Impact Study Commission defines a riverboat casino as any "boat that is capable of self-contained operation away from land whether or not it ever leaves the dock." Some of these have captains on board, even if they never go anywhere. Dockside casinos are defined as those that "float on water but are permanently moored." Together these are called floating structures. The term "riverboat casino" commonly refers to both types.
- In the 19th century, riverboats cruised up and down the Mississippi River. Today, only one of the 30 riverboat casinos on the river still cruises: the Mississippi Belle II, out of Clinton, Iowa. Most of its business comes from tourist groups.
- Each of the six states sets the rules for operating the boats docked on its shores or operating on its waterways. This can lead to some overlap. For instance, in the Chicago area, the state of Illinois allows riverboat gambling on the Des Plaines, Fox, Illinois and Mississippi rivers, but not on Lake Michigan. Indiana allows the boats on the Ohio River and also on Lake Michigan.
