4/9/2022

Iowa Riverboat Gambling History

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Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
Location Council Bluffs, IA
Address 2200 River Rd
Opening dateJanuary 1996
No. of rooms160
Total gaming space38,500 sq ft (3,580 m2)
Casino typeRiverboat
OwnerGaming and Leisure Properties
Operating license holderPenn National Gaming
Coordinates41°14′35″N95°54′36″W / 41.24306°N 95.91000°W
WebsiteCouncilBluffs.Ameristar.com
  1. Riverboat Cruises With Gambling
  2. Riverboat Gambling On The Mississippi

Illinois approved riverboat gambling a year after Iowa did, and Jumer’s Casino Rock Island opened in April 1992. As riverboat gaming percolated in the Iowa Legislature, Bernie Goldstein, who was. Riverboat gaming became operational on April 1, 1991 in the Quad Cities. The cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa were the first communities to offer this new entertainment experience. One year later, in March of 1992, the Rock Island Boatworks, featuring the Casino Rock Island, began its gaming cruises.

Riverboat gambling on the mississippi

Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs is a riverboat casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the Missouri River directly across from Omaha, Nebraska. It is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn National Gaming.

The property includes 38,500 sq. ft. of gaming space with more than 1,500 slot machines and table games, a 160-room hotel tower, and several restaurants.

Riverboat

History[edit]

Ameristar Council Bluffs opened for business in January 1996. The plans called for a resort that complemented the local history, thus, the design is reminiscent of an 1800s river town. The riverboat itself is a 272 foot long and 98 foot wide vessel. Due to legal requirements at the time, the riverboat had to make 2-hour cruises down the river during excursion season, which had been April 1 to October 31.[1]

Riverboat Cruises With Gambling

The property had been owned by Ameristar Casinos, Inc. until the company was acquired by Pinnacle Entertainment in 2013. However, Pinnacle was acquired by Pennsylvania-based Penn National Gaming in 2018.

It is the only casino in Council Bluffs out of the three that is still on a riverboat. Harrah's scrapped theirs and moved the casino onto land in the same general location in 2013 after a 2007 Iowa law allowed for land-based casinos.[2]

References[edit]

Riverboat
  1. ^'Ameristar Casinos Inc Encyclopedia.com'. www.encyclopedia.com.
  2. ^Nelson, Andrew J. 'Harrah's: Scrapping Bluffs gambling boat, moving ashore will be better for customers'. Omaha.com.

External links[edit]

Riverboat Gambling On The Mississippi

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