First Louisiana Riverboat Casino Approved To Come Ashore

As an example, in 1994 Missouri voters approved amending the state constitution to allow ‘games of chance’ on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Over time, they allowed gaming casinos to be built on stilts, though with the requirement they had to be over navigable water. As an example, in 1994 Missouri voters approved amending the state constitution to allow “games of chance” on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. As a result, no riverboat casinos sail on the Mississippi anymore because all of them operate dockside. The Harrah’s casino in New Orleans pays lower taxes than originally promised, is building a second hotel and is planning to open restaurants.

As a result, riverboats started to be moored on the edge of the river, and are termed boats in moats. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved its first application for a riverboat casino to move its operations out of the water and onto dry land. According to the latest figures provided in 2018, there are currently a total 63 riverboat casinos operating across the states of Iowa, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Missouri. All of these are packed with entertainment options and many classic casino games such as blackjack and roulette.

History of Louisiana Gambling

In addition to two deadly hurricanes last year in the Lake Charles area, fast-moving Hurricane Zeta ripped through New Orleans in October, swamping casinos east of there in Mississippi. A record 30 named storms developed during last year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Unlike last year’s record storm season along the Gulf Coast, Claudette did not create major issues for the casino industry in Louisiana and Mississippi, officials said. Daily fantasy sports sites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in the state. New Orleans passed a city ordinance banning smoking in all indoor areas, including casinos. Harrah’s New Orleans has another issue affecting its operation these days. The New Orleans City Council banned smoking at Harrah’s in 2015.

• 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.
• You can also visit FindLaw’s Gaming Law section for more articles and resources on this topic.
• Harrah’s agreed to keep 2,400 employees on the payroll in exchange for dropping the requirement of being on the Mississippi River.
• “It made those properties that are there more valuable,” said Alton Ashy, the truck stops’ lead lobbyist.
• Back in the 1800s, the situation for gambling in the USA was a bit different than today.
• A smaller gambling location, it offers 1,400 slot machines, 29 table games, and seven poker tables.

Betting limits, maximum loss, and payoff amounts may also vary. Often, too, services and amenities, such as floorshows and full-service restaurants, may be on land with the casino portion of the facility technically on water. Riverboat casinos arose as a solution to legally grey areas regarding state gambling laws. They were seen as a way for the state to increase its revenue by taxation while also preventing illegal behaviors. Riverboat casinos offered a steady flow of income without citizens worrying about a flurry of on-land casinos popping up in their area. Today they are mostly docked to the harbors and offer entertainment, music, table games, and sports betting options.