Iowa was the first state to legalize riverboat gambling. The boats began operating on April Fools Day in 1991 and passengers were originally limited to $5 per bet with a maximum loss of $200 per person, per cruise. Because of these restrictions several boats later moved to Mississippi which offered 24-hour, no-limit, dockside gambling.

In September 1991 the first riverboats began operating in the bordering state of Illinois and these boats didn’t have Iowa’s restrictive bet or loss limits. The increased competition from these boats cut deeply into the profitability of the Iowa boats and in early 1994 the Iowa legislature voted to eliminate the gambling restrictions. Additionally, a provision was added to allow slot machines (no video poker) to be placed at the state’s four pari-mutuel facilities, subject to voter approval. The slot machine measure passed in referendums in three of the four affected counties.

Admission to all Iowa riverboat casinos is free. Most boats cruise from June through October and remain dockside from November through May although there might be slight differences in those schedules among the various boats.

Iowa is also home to three Indian casinos. Unless otherwise noted, all riverboats and Indian casinos offer: blackjack, roulette, craps, slots and video poker. Some casinos also offer: mini-baccarat (MB), poker (P), pai gow poker (PGP), Caribbean stud poker (CSP), let it ride (Let it Ride), big 6 (B6), bingo (BG), keno (K), three card poker (Three Card Poker) and Spanish 21 (S21). The minimum gambling age is 21.

For more information on visiting Iowa call the state’s tourism department at (800) 345-4692.

Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs
2200 River Road
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
(712) 328-8888
Website: www.ameristarcasinos.com

Toll-Free Number: (877) 462-7827
Rooms: 152  Price Range: $89-$189
Suites: 8  Price Range: $225-$275
Restaurants: 4 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: L-$7.99  D-$12.99/$9.99 (Tue/Sun)/$14.99 (Wed)
Casino Size: 38,040 Square Feet
Schedule: Cruises 7:30am-9:30am weekdays
   (Apr-Oct), then remains dockside 24 hours
Other Games: S21, PGP, CSP, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker
Senior Discount: 15% off food and hotel gift shop, if 55, or older
Special Features: 2,700-passenger sidewheeler replica that cruises the Missouri River. Sports bar. Video arcade. Kids Quest supervised children’s entertainment center.

Argosy’s Belle of Sioux City Casino
100 Larsen Park Road
Sioux City, Iowa 51101
(712) 294-5600
Website: www.argosycasinos.com

Toll-Free Number: (800) 424-0080
Restaurants: 2 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$3.99
Casino Size: 8,430 Square Feet
Schedule: Cruises 7:30am-9:30am weekdays
   (Apr-Oct), then remains dockside 24 hours
Other Games: S21, PGP, CSP, Three Card Poker
Fun Book: Given at Iowa welcome centers
Special Features: 1,200-passenger old-fashioned stern wheeler that cruises the Missouri River. Slot club members get 10% discount at gift shop.

Catfish Bend Casino
902 Riverview Drive
Fort Madison, Iowa 52627
(319) 372-2946
Website: www.catfishbendcasino.com
Location: 180 miles S.E. of Des Moines

Toll Free Number: (800) 372-2946
Restaurants: 2
Buffets: L-$6.95  D-Varies from $7 to $13
Schedule: Opens 8:00am, cruises May-Aug      from 8am-10am (Mon-Sat),
            then remains dockside and stays open until 2am/24 hours (Wed-Sun)
Casino Size: 14,572 Square Feet
Other Games: S21, P, CSP, Let it Ride
Senior Discount: Various on Thursday, if 50+
Special Features: 1,500-passenger paddle wheeler that cruises the Mississippi River. Charge for cruise is $10 (adults), $5 for children. Docks in Burlington from November through April.

Dubuque Diamond Jo Casino
3rd Street Ice Harbor
Dubuque, Iowa 52004
(319) 583-7005
Website: www.diamondjo.com

Toll-Free Number: (800) LUCKY-JO
Restaurants: 2
Buffets: B-$5.50 (Sun)  L-$6.95/$8.50 (Sun)  D-$13.95 (Fri-Sat Only)
Valet Parking: $2
Schedule: Cruises 7:30am-9:30am (Mon-Fri), then remains
dockside and stays open until 3am/24 hours (Fri/Sat)
Casino Size: 17,813 Square Feet
Other Games: P, CSP, Let it Ride
Senior Discount: Players club members, 55 or older, free   valet parking 9am
          to 4pm daily and free breakfast 7:30-9:30am Monday-Friday
Special Features: 1,600-passenger old-fashioned steamboat replica that cruises the Mississippi River. Players club members get 20% buffet discount and 25% discount in gift shop.

Harrah’s Casino - Council Bluffs
One Harrah’s Boulevard
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
(712) 329-6000
Website: www.harrahs.com

Toll Free Number: (800) HARRAHS
Rooms: 240  Price Range: $59-$179
Suites: 11   Price Range $199
Restaurants: 3 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$6.99  L-$8.99/$12.99 (Sun)  D-$12.99/$11.99 (Mon/Sat/Sun)
Schedule: Cruises 7:30 am to 9:30 am, then remains dockside 24 hours
Casino Size: 28,006 Square Feet
Other Games: P, PGP, CSP, Let it Ride, B6, S21
Special Features: 2,365-passenger paddle wheel-replica that cruises the Missouri River.

Isle of Capri Casino - Bettendorf
1821 State Street
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722
(563) 359-7280
Website: www.isleofcapricasino.com

Toll-Free Number: (800) 724-5825
Rooms: 256  Price Range: $74-$95
Restaurants: 3
Buffets: B-$4.95  L-$7.95  D-$12.95
Schedule: Cruises 7am-9am (Mon-Fri), then remains dockside 24 hours
Other Games: P, PGP, CSP, Three Card Poker, Let it Ride
Casino Size: 26,744 Square Feet
Senior Discount: Various on Tue/Thu if 50+
Special Features: 2,500-passenger old-fashioned paddle wheeler that cruises the Mississippi River.

Isle of Capri Casino - Marquette
P.O. Box 460
Marquette, Iowa 52158
(563) 873-3531
Website: www.isleofcapricasino.com
Location: 60 miles N. of Dubuque

Toll-Free Number: (800) 4-YOU-BET
Rooms: 22  Price Range: $85
Suites: 3  Price Range: $125
Restaurants: 1
Buffets: B-$5.99/$8.99 (Sun)  L-$6.99 D-$9.99/$11.99 (Fri/Sat)
Schedule: Opens 9am, cruises 10:00am to noon  (Mon-Fri), then remains
                dockside and stays open until 3am/24 hours (Fri-Sat)
Casino Size: 18,747 Square Feet
Other Games: CSP, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker
Fun Book: Distributed by local hotels
Senior Discount: Various on Tue/Thu if 50+
Special Features: 1,200-passenger paddle wheeler that cruises the Mississippi River.

Lakeside Casino Resort
777 Casino Drive
Osceola, Iowa 50213
(641) 342-9511
Website: www.lakesidecasino.net
Location: 50 miles S. of Des Moines

Toll-Free Number: (877) 477-5253
Rooms: 60   Price: $69-$125
Suites: 3   Prices $145
Restaurants: 2
Buffets: B-$5.25 L-$6.25  D-$9.50/$11.50(Fri-Sat)
Schedule: Cruises 7:30am-9:30am (Mon-Fri) and 7:00am-9:00am (Sat-Sun)
               then remains dockside stays open 24 hours
Casino Size: 25,000 Square Feet
Other Games: S21, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker
Senior Discount: Various on Mon if 50+
Special Features: 1,500-passenger old-fashioned paddle wheeler that cruises on West Lake. 47-space RV park. Fishing/boating dock. Free coffee, juice and muffins during cruises.

Mississippi Belle II
Showboat Landing
Clinton, Iowa 52733
(563) 243-9000
Location: 83 miles E. of Cedar Rapids

Toll-Free Number: (800) 457-9975
Restaurants: 1
Buffets: B-$6.95 (Sat-Sun) L-$6.95
            D-$8.99 (Tue)/$9.99 (Sun/Wed/Thu)$10.99
Schedule: Opens 9am, cruises 1pm-3pm (Mon-Fri,May-Oct), then remains
                dockside and stays open until 2am/4am (Fri/Sat)
Casino Size: 9,952 Square Feet
Other Games: S21, P, CSP, Let it Ride , Three Card Poker
Special Features: 1,000-passenger old-fashioned paddle wheeler that cruises the Mississippi River.

Rhythm City Casino
130 West River Drive
Davenport, Iowa 52801
(319) 328-8000
Website: www.rhythmcitycasino.com
Location: 80 miles S.E. of Cedar Rapids

Toll-Free Number: (800) BOAT-711
Rooms: 98  Price Range: $59-$95
Suites: 23  Price Range: $125
Restaurants: 2 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$3.95  L-$6.95/$10.95 (Sun)  D-$9.95/$11.95 (Fri-Sat)
Schedule: Cruises 7:00-9:00am (Apr-Sept, Mon-Fri), then remains dockside
                and stays open 24 hours
Casino Size: 30,044 Square Feet
Other Games: S21, PGP, CSP, Let it Ride
Senior Discount: Various on Tue/Wed if 50+
Special Features: 2,200-passenger riverboat cruises the Mississippi River.

INDIAN CASINOS

Casino Omaha
1 Blackbird Bend, Box 89
Onawa, Iowa 51040
(712) 423-3700
Location: 30 miles S. of Sioux City, 60 miles N. of Omaha, 4 miles W. of I-29 at exit 112

Toll-Free Number: (800) 858-U-BET
Restaurants: 1   Liquor: Yes
Buffets: L-$6.00  D-$8.00/$9.50 (Sat)/$11.50 (Fri)
Hours: 8am-2am/24 Hours (Fri/Sat)
Other Games: P
Casino Size: 30,000 Square Feet
Fun Book: Coupons available at the slot club booth on some weekdays.

Meskwaki Bingo & Casino
1504 305th Street
Tama, Iowa 52339
(641) 484-2108
Website: www.meskwaki.com
Location: 40 miles W. of Cedar Rapids

Toll-Free Number: (800) 728-4263
Rooms: 204  Price Range: $69-$99
Suites:  4  Price Range: $175
Restaurants: 4   Liquor: No
Buffets: B-$5.25  L-$7.25   D-$8.25
Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Other Games:   S21,   P, CSP, Let it Ride, MB, Three Card Poker, K, BG, Simulcasting
Senior Discount: $1 off buffet if 55+
Special Features: 70-space RV park

Winnavegas
1500 330th Street
Sloan, Iowa 51055
(712) 428-9466
Website: www.winnavegas-casino.com
Location: 20 miles S. of Sioux City

Toll-Free Number: (800) 468-9466
Restaurants: 1   Liquor: Yes
Buffets: L-$4.95  D-$6.95
Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Other Games: MB, P, CSP, Let it Ride, BG

Pari-Mutuels

Bluffs Run Casino
2701 23rd Avenue
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
(712) 323-2500
Website: www.harrahs.com
Location: 102 miles S. of Sioux City

Toll-Free Number: (800) BET-2-WIN
Restaurants: 4 (1 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$4.99  L-$5.99/$8.99 (Sun)  D-$8.99/$11.99 (Mon)
Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Casino Size: 35,200 Square Feet
Other Games: Only slots
Special Features: Owned by Harrah’s. Live dog racing (Tue-Sun). Horse and dog race simulcasting. 120-space RV park. Free shuttle service from local hotels.

Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino
1855 Greyhound Park Drive
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
(563) 582-3647
Website: www.dgpc.com

Toll-Free Number: (800) 373-3647
Restaurants: 1
Buffets: L-$7.95  D-$10.95
Hours: 9am-3am/24 hours (Fri/Sat)
Casino Size: 11,675 Square Feet
Other Games: Only slots
Senior Discount: $2 off buffet, if 55, or older
Special Features: Live dog racing (Wed-Sun) during season which runs from May through October. Greyhound and thoroughbred simulcasting all year. Free valet parking.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
1 Prairie Meadows Drive
Altoona, Iowa 50009
(515) 967-1000
Website: www.prairiemeadows.com
Location: 5 miles E. of Des Moines

Toll-Free Number: (800) 325-9015
Restaurants: 1
Buffets: B-$4.50  L-$5.50  D-$10.95
Hours: 24 Hours Daily
Casino Size: 39,324 Square Feet
Other Games: Only slots
Senior Discount: 15% restaurant and gift shop discount, if 55, or older
Special Features: Live thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing  during season which runs from April through November. Simulcasting of dog and horse racing all year.