The History of Riverboat Gambling in Iowa: When Legal Casino Boats First Launched
Riverboat gambling in Iowa officially began on April 1, 1991, marking a significant milestone in the state's gaming history. The first riverboat casino to open was the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf, followed by the Dubuque Casino Belle in Dubuque on the same day.
The legalization process started in July 1989 when Iowa became the first state in the nation to approve riverboat gambling. The Iowa Legislature passed the law allowing gambling on riverboats, with Governor Terry Branstad signing it into effect. This pioneering move made Iowa the first state in the modern era to authorize riverboat gambling operations.
Initially, Iowa's riverboat gambling had strict regulations. Wagering limits were set at $5 per bet with a maximum loss limit of $200 per person per cruise. These boats were required to actually cruise the waterways during gambling sessions, and gaming was only permitted during the cruise portion of the journey.
The first year of operation saw three riverboat casinos in operation: - The Diamond Lady in Bettendorf - The Dubuque Casino Belle in Dubuque - The President in Davenport
By 1992, significant changes were made to the regulations. The state removed the betting limits and the requirement that boats must cruise during gambling. This allowed for dockside gambling, which meant the boats could remain permanently moored while still offering gaming activities.
The success of Iowa's riverboat gambling initiative led other Midwestern states to follow suit. Illinois legalized riverboat gambling in 1990, with its first boat launching in 1991. Mississippi and Louisiana soon followed with their own riverboat gambling operations.
Today, Iowa's riverboat gambling industry has evolved significantly from its 1991 beginnings. While some original floating casinos have since been converted to land-based operations, the industry continues to be an important part of Iowa's entertainment and tourism sector, generating substantial revenue for the state through gaming taxes and creating thousands of jobs.
The initial riverboat gambling experiment in Iowa proved to be a model for other states and helped establish the modern American casino industry beyon