7 Riverboat Casinos Worth Visiting
Casinos on riverboats are a popular gambling option in states that do not allow traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. Though not as common as they once were, these pieces of Americana can still be found in cities across the United States and make exciting vacation destinations.
Riverboats are known as a type of legal fiction. They were created to limit the areas where gambling establishments could be constructed and often never leave the dock. However, because they are located on the water, they are not restricted by the same laws as standard land-based casinos.
In some states, riverboat gambling is the only option for in-person casino gambling. Whether it is out of necessity or simply because you are looking for a unique gambling experience, here are seven casinos on riverboats that you should visit.
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 options on my list, this Louisiana riverboat casino is four stories tall and has a classic turn-of-the-century look. It is even more 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. This casino riverboat is only 40 miles west of Chicago and is open 24 hours a day.
The casino contains hundreds of video poker and slot machines. There are also 25 table games to choose from. Players at the Grand Victoria can also choose to dine at three different on-board restaurants:
Buckingham’s Bistro
Buckingham’s Steakhouse
Slice Pizzeria
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 Mississippi riverboat casino that first opened in 2000.
Although the Queen Marquette has only a handful of table games, it more than makes up for it with over 400 slot machine games. There is also a sportsbook located on the boat.
The riverboat is connected to a 31-acre site that also contains an enclosed pavilion where you’ll find dining and entertainment attractions.
The Queen Marquette puts extra emphasis on providing great customer service. 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 Sam’s Town name is synonymous with casinos in Las Vegas. This casino in Shreveport, LA, brings the luxury of Vegas to the South.
Guests of this casino riverboat can choose from 750 slot games to play. There are also multiple table games available. Along with standard table games, Sam’s Town Shreveport offers variations such as Craps no More, Mini Baccarat, and Let it Ride.
After a long day of gambling, you can stay at the highly rated 23-floor hotel. It includes all the high-class amenities that you would find in Las Vegas, including a spa, sauna, and live entertainment.
5 – Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hollywood Casino is located in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This Mississippi riverboat casino can be found right across the street from the state capitol building.
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.
Hollywood Casino has your standard slots, video poker, and traditional table games. The casino also hosts regular gambling events including slot tournaments, lucky draw match games, and cash giveaways for club members.
The Hollywood boasts several restaurants, including The Celebrity Grill, Epic Buffet, the Take Two Deli, and more. You can also take to the links on the Copper Mill Golf Club. Or for a more relaxing experience, catch a show at the Movie Tavern which offers restaurant-quality food.
6 – 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 Lake Pontchartrain. Enjoy the distant view of the downtown New Orleans skyline and picturesque cypress tree groves in the bayous surrounding Kenner.
This New Orleans riverboat casino offers a great selection of games. 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 seafood you can 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.
7 – Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg in Vicksburg, MI
The final spot on my list of the best casinos for riverboat gambling in the US is the Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg. This casino is located on the border between Mississippi and Louisiana.
You can find 1,200 slot machines, 10 poker tables, and 24 table games on the 70,000-square-foot gaming floor. You can also wager on your favorite sports using the self-service betting kiosks.
There is a hotel located on this riverboat as well. Guests can enjoy full access to the on-site fitness center, business center, and other highly rated amenities. There are three great dining options available as well, including:
Heritage Restaurant
Bourbon’s
Bella’s Bakery and Cafe
Online Casino Options
Casino riverboats are a great option for people who cannot access traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. However, you do not need to travel to brave the sea in order to play your favorite casino games. Legal online casinos in the USA offer a more convenient alternative.
Specific site availability will vary based on your location. These five casinos, though, are all great options for gambling online in most parts of the US.
Wild Casino
Wild Casino is our top-rated casino site. This gambling site is a great option for people who love being rewarded for playing casino games.
New members can claim up to $9,000 in welcome casino bonus funds. All you need to do is sign up for a new account and make a qualifying deposit. There are fantastic bonus options for existing members as well.
Once you have made your first deposit, you will be able to play hundreds of great casino games at Wild. There are over 400 slot games available, as well as popular table games like blackjack and roulette. Members can also access a highly-rated live dealer casino.
DuckyLuck Casino
DuckyLuck Casino is another great option for people looking to play online casino games. This casino has hundreds of high-quality slots, table games, and specialty games. It offers a live dealer section as well.
The real draw of DuckyLuck, though, is that it has a fantastic rewards program, The DuckBucks Rewards program is a tiered rewards system that is loaded with great bonuses. Members can unlock daily and weekly bonuses to improve their gambling experience.
Also, DuckyLuck allows anyone to try their games for free using a demo mode. This is perfect for trying new strategies or playing new games to see which ones you enjoy the most.
Bovada
Bovada is available in 45 states and offers a great casino as well as a highly-touted sportsbook. This gambling site has awesome rewards programs too, so you will get plenty of bang for your buck.
Members who make deposits with cryptocurrency can enjoy even better rewards. Depositing with Bitcoin or another approved crypto will allow you to gain better bonuses and faster payment times.
Bovada is another casino that offers players the opportunity to test out games in a free-play mode. This can help you save your bankroll for the games you know you want to play.
Ignition Casino
Ignition Casino is also a great option for playing online casino games. It is especially great for players who enjoy playing online poker.
Poker players can enjoy exclusive bonus options and participate in daily and weekly tournaments. There is even a well-rounded rewards program that includes access to weekly free roll events.
The poker room is not the only reason to sign up for an account at Ignition. The casino also offers hundreds of great slots to choose from. You can also play table games and gamble on virtual sports.
Slots.lv
Last but not least is Slots.lv, which is perfect for bettors who like to gamble on the go. This site offers a great casino app that is available on both Android and iOS devices.
Whether you are using a desktop or mobile device, you can easily navigate Slots.lv thanks to its user interface. There is even a great sear filter that makes it easy to find all the games that you want to play.
Like the other casino sites above, Slots.lv has plenty of bonus options to choose from. Taking advantage of these bonuses will help you play your favorite casino games for longer.
Which Casino Riverboats Will You Play at Next?
Casino riverboats are a unique option for in-person gambling in the US. If you cannot make it to one of the riverboat casinos above, you can always play your favorite games using our top real money online casinos.
Check out our latest casino blogs to learn more about land-based and online gambling options.
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