riverboat casino las vegas

HISTORY: A look back at the Showboat Hotel and Casino

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — If you have lived in Las Vegas for at least 25 years, you probably remember the Showboat Hotel and Casino.

The Showboat was built in 1954 by William J. Moore and J. Kell Houssels, the men behind the Last Frontier hotel-casino and Las Vegas Club respectively.

It was the first resort within Las Vegas city limits and it had 100 rooms on two floors. The casino was was leased by a group of managers from the Desert Inn, including Moe Dalitz.

It was billed as "Las Vegas's first resort hotel" and targeted both tourists and locals. One of the most popular deals was a 49-cent breakfast buffet.

A bowling alley was added in 1959 and it became the Showboat’s signature attraction. Bowling leagues from all over the country would travel to Las Vegas for nationally televised PBA tournaments.

A 19-story tower was built in the early ‘70s. Th first 9 floors opened in 1973 and the remaining 16 floors opened in 1976.

In the early 1980s, a large unused space on the 2nd floor was converted into a sports pavilion, which hosted the American Wrestling Association and the Los Angeles Thunderbirds roller derby matches.

One of those wrestlers was the 7-foot 4-inches tall Andre The Giant.

The sports pavilion also hosted several high-profile boxing matches, including the Boza-Edwards vs. Chacon fight in May 1981.

Pool legends Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi also brought their televised series of matches to the Showboat in October 1981.

The sports pavilion later became a bingo parlor.

The hotel was successful until the Las Vegas Strip became more popular in the 1990s.

In 1998, Harrah’s Entertainment bought the Showboat and then sold it in 2000.

Since Harrah’s refused to sell the Showboat name, it was renamed the Castaways. Although there were plans for an expansion, it never happened and the new owners filed bankruptcy in June 2003.

Station Casinos brought the property for $21.6 million. In 2006 they imploded the hotel tower because they planned to invest $90 million into a 20,000-square-foot casino-restaurant.

However, they soon abandoned those plans and attempted to sale the property in 2009.

Each year, Station would bring in a portable casino for a few days in order to retain the gaming license while they decided what to do with the property.

In 2016, they put the property back on the market and eventually sold it to Amador Bengochea, a real estate developer.

In 2021, Bengochea opened the Showboat Park Apartments on the property.

The Showboat Park Apartments is a 344-unit rental community, featuring luxury amenities like a natural grass soccer field, a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, a pool, barbecue and yoga area, a covered playground and a fitness center.

RELATED: New apartments with historic roots coming to downtown Las Vegas

SOURCES UNLV Collection of Showboat, Inc. Promotional Materials and Financial Reports Showboat-turned-Castaways has storied LV history The Showboat lives on in Las Vegas bowling lore Station plans Latin flavor for Castaways site A longtime Las Vegan aims to revitalize Showboat land with affordable housing

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A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

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Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.” To: “Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions like 1xbet India online casino, are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

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Las Vegas History Series: Holiday Casino & Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino:

Before there was Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, there was another resort in its place on the Las Vegas Strip.

In the early 1970s, a riverboat themed casino by the name of Holiday Casino was based at that location. The property at the time was next to the Imperial Palace. Shelby and Claudine Williams were the people who opened the place. They were the former owners of the Silver Slipper Casino.

To draw people, Holiday Casino offered one-dollar bill coupons to use for bingo. They also had drink coupon vouchers. Through a variety of buttons and patches, it would seem the resort did a lot to promote itself in Las Vegas. There was even one button from the casino that said, “I am a Bingo Brat.”

Between 1979 and 1983, Holiday Inn Resorts bought 100 percent ownership of the Holiday Casino in Las Vegas. In 1992, the name was changed to Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. The resort is still open on the Strip today. The casino then became Mardi Gras themed. In 1997, a grand re-opening took place and was attend by celebrities including Sidney Potiter, Sandra Blullock and Minnie Driver among others.

Today, The Righteous brothers that includes founding member Bill Medley and co-star Bucky Heard are the headliners for the resort. Additional shows at the resort include X Country and The Bronx Wanderers. Today, Caesars Entertainment owns the property.

If you are looking for a laidback feel on the Las Vegas Strip, you should look no further than taking a visit to Harrah’s Las Vegas.  

Below, you will find our chip collection from both Holiday Casino and Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. You can purchase each chip clicking the photo:

Find below some other items from both Holiday Casino and Harrah's Las Vegas you can purchase clicking each picture:

Don't forget to check out our Ebay auctions that start at 6:00 PM Las Vegas time. Click the banner below:

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The Legacy and Historical Influence of Riverboat Casinos in the United States

Welcome aboard as we set sail into the captivating world of riverboat casinos in the United States . On this page, we’ll walk you through their legal status and historical implications, explore the where, what, and why of these floating gaming venues, and finally, take a close look at the modern condition of riverboat gambling.

As we explore the ins and outs of this unique chapter in American gaming history, we’ll also take a glance at if riverboat casinos have left a mark on the WV online gambling scene and gambling in the US in general.

• Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling
• Boat Casinos Regulation in Various States
• History of Riverboat Gambling
• Popular Riverboat Casinos

The Legal Status of Riverboat Gambling

Historically, casino boats were allowed in many states, mostly those with access to the Mississippi River. Today, only six states still allow this form of gambling:

Mississippi

Gambling boats are essentially floating casinos operating on designated waterways . They offer a wide variety of gambling activities just like land-based casinos, including slots , table games , and poker .

Each state with legal riverboat gambling has its own regulatory body responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. These regulations typically address aspects such as gambling activities allowed, revenue sharing with the state, security measures, responsible gambling practices, and environmental considerations.

While sharing similarities with land-based casinos, riverboat casinos face additional regulations due to their unique setting, such as:

• Licensing requirements . Land-based casinos typically have more stringent licensing requirements than riverboat casinos. For instance, land-based casinos may be required to undergo a more rigorous background check and financial audit process compared to riverboat casinos;
• Location restrictions . There are usually fewer restrictions on riverboat casino locations than on those of the brick-and-mortar venues. For instance, land-based casinos might not be allowed to operate in certain areas, such as residential neighborhoods or near schools. Riverboat casinos, in turn, are more flexible when it comes to location, as they can be moored on rivers that flow through various areas;
• Taxation . The taxation of land-based casinos and riverboat casinos can vary depending on the state. In some cases, land-based casinos may be subject to higher tax rates than riverboat casinos;
• Building codes . Land-based casinos are typically required to meet more stringent building codes than riverboat casinos. This is because land-based casinos are permanent structures, while riverboat casinos are considered temporary structures;
• Inspection and enforcement . Land-based casinos usually undergo more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of regulations compared to riverboat casinos.

Generally, the regulation of land-based casinos tends to be more strict and comprehensive than the regulation of any casino on the Mississippi River . The reason is likely that land-based casinos are considered to have a greater impact on the surrounding community , both in terms of economic benefits and social costs.

State-by-State Riverboat Gambling Regulations

As of 2024, it’s legal to run and visit a riverboat casino in six states. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:

Here, riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River , the Illinois River , and the Des Plaines River . The casinos must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and be accessible to the public by land or water . Riverboat casinos in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board .

In Indiana, boat casinos can operate on the Ohio River , the Indiana Harbor , and the Patoka Lake Reservoir . They must be located at least 600 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Indiana are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission .

In this state, it’s legal for riverboat casinos to operate on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River . They must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission .

A riverboat casino in Louisiana is allowed to operate on the Mississippi River , the Red River , and the Gulf of Mexico as long as they are located at least 300 feet from the shore . The casinos here are regulated by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board .

Obviously, a riverboat casino in Mississippi can be located on the Mississippi River at least 300 feet from the shore . Boat casinos in Mississippi are regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission .

Last but not least, Missouri riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River and the Missouri River at least 300 feet from the shore . Riverboat casinos in Missouri are regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission .

Brief History of Riverboat Casinos

Explore the history of riverboat casinos in the United States, tracing their origins, development, and impact on both the gambling industry and American culture.

19th Century: The Origins of Riverboat Gambling

The roots of riverboat gambling can be traced back to the 19th century when steamboats were the primary mode of transportation along the Mississippi River. As passengers went on long journeys, gambling became a popular pastime to pass the time. While gambling activities were generally illegal on land at that time, boats provided a loophole, as they were considered to be outside of state jurisdiction.

Early 20th Century: Decline and Revival

The invention of railroads in the early 20th century led to a logical decline in riverboat travel, and respectively, riverboat gambling. However, the 1970s saw a reappearance of interest in riverboat casinos, primarily because of the push to revitalize urban areas.

1990s: Expansion and Legalization

The 1990s marked a period of significant growth for riverboat casinos. Several states legalized riverboat gambling, and the industry expanded rapidly. By the late 1990s, there were over 150 riverboat casinos operating in the United States.

2005: Hurricane Katrina and Its Devastating Blow

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The storm severely impacted the boat casino industry in Mississippi and Louisiana, with several casinos suffering significant damage or complete destruction.

Late 2010s: Post-Katrina Recovery and Adaptation

The consequences of Hurricane Katrina brought significant changes to the riverboat casino industry. While some casinos managed to rebuild and reopen, others had to close permanently. The industry also faced increased competition from brick-and-mortar casinos, which were gaining popularity at that time.

Today: A Mature Industry

Today, a casino boat remains a popular form of entertainment in the United States. However, the industry has matured and consolidated, with the number of riverboat casinos decreasing in recent years. Despite these changes, riverboat casinos continue to be an important economic driver in many regions.

Popular Riverboat Casinos in the US

Now that we know all the theory about riverboat gambling, let’s get to practice and take a look at the most popular water casinos in the United States.

The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois

Located along the beautiful Fox River, The Grand Victoria Casino is a home (or rather a boat) of true gaming elegance. Known as the largest riverboat casino in Illinois, it boasts an impressive 65,000 square feet of gaming space including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a steakhouse, a buffet, and a concert venue.

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg – Vicksburg, Mississippi

The Ameristar Casino Vicksburg is one of the oldest and most crowded riverboat casinos in Mississippi with over 50,000 square feet of gaming space . The wide choice of slots, table games, and poker tables is complemented by all kinds of entertainments, from the flavors of a diverse buffet to comedy clubs and nightclubs.

Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City, Louisiana

The Horseshoe Casino is one of the largest riverboat casinos in Louisiana and one of the most popular. It features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space , including slots, table games, and a poker room. The casino also offers a variety of dining and entertainment options, so players can choose between a steakhouse, a buffet, a concert venue, and others.

Sam’s Town Casino – Shreveport, Louisiana

Sam’s Town Casino is a popular destination for all kinds of gaming enthusiasts in and out of state. With a gaming space of over 34,000 square feet , this casino offers an intimate yet exhilarating experience. Beyond the slots, table games, and poker room, Sam’s Town welcomes gamers to savor a culinary journey with a steakhouse, a buffet, and a unique entertainment experience at the in-house bowling alley.

What is the Diamond Lady casino boat?

The Diamond Lady Riverboat Casino was a paddlewheel riverboat casino that operated on the Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa, from 1991 to 2008. In 2021, the Diamond Lady sank during a severe winter storm. It was later raised and brought to shore, where it remains today. The future of the Diamond Lady is uncertain, but it is possible that it will be restored and reopened as a casino or museum.

Why do casinos have to be on water in the US?

Casinos in the US don’t necessarily have to be on the water, but there are some casinos that are. This practice originated when gambling laws were more restrictive on land, and the association of riverboat gambling with waterborne transportation became a legal requirement in some states.

Why are casinos on the water so popular?

Riverboat casinos are popular for their unique charm and historical allure. The on-water setting offers players a distinctive and memorable gaming experience, contributing to the popularity of these establishments. Additionally, the regulations associated with riverboat gambling create a controlled and regulated environment that appeals to both operators and players.

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Rolling on the Rivers – Riverboat Casino

Editorial Staff | Posted on April 10, 2010 |

After 15 years of evolution, riverboat casin o s have become resort destinations in and of themselves

By frank legato.

Consider the term “riverboat casino.” These days, the term conjures up images completely different than when the modern riverboat gaming industry was inaugurated in Iowa some 15 years ago. Back then, riverboat casinos were little more than a means of bailing out state budgets—of clearing red ink in government ledgers without raising taxes.

The idea was to use gambling to raise money, but to restrict it to waterways¬. To distinguish them from “real” casinos, as existed only in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, they would be kept from land, thereby saving “respectable” people from the specter of gambling in their neighborhoods. To give them charm and appeal for gamblers, they would recall the times of Mark Twain, designed as replicas of legendary 19th century paddlewheel steam riverboats on which frontier characters played draw poker while floating lazily up and down the Mississippi River.

Riverboat casinos, once viewed as a necessary evil to communities in which they were legalized, grew to be vital parts of those communities, providing jobs and economic revival to depressed areas, and donating millions to local charities. For the people who played there, the vessels became hot regional destinations, providing escapes for drive-in customers and great gambling deals for the locals.

Anthony Sanfilippo, president of Harrah’s Entertainment’s Central Division, has been operating in the riverboat market since the early days. He has been with Harrah’s for nine years, and he says the past decade has seen changes not only in the way players see riverboat gaming, but in the way communities see the casinos.

“The main difference today is the acceptability of gaming in communities that were considered new jurisdictions 10 years ago,” Sanfilippo says. “Ten years ago, gaming was stereotyped—from movies, mainly—and communities didn’t have an understanding of their economic impact in the local community and state, as well as the ability to bring a whole new type of entertainment experience into their community.”

Those two vessels would eventually grow into what is now Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc., but first, Goldstein faced quick competition, both in Iowa and across the river in Illinois. The biggest threat to those first riverboats, though, was Iowa’s own gaming law, which imposed a limit of $5 per bet and a “loss limit” of $200 per person, per cruise. With boats required to cruise during the warm months, that meant if a customer lost $200 in the first half-hour of a two-hour cruise, he was stuck doing nothing for the other hour and a half.

Nearby states were quick to pick up on the fact that gamblers were looking for less restrictive rules. In September of 1991, Illinois launched its riverboat gaming market, with no bet restrictions or loss limits. The following year, Goldstein moved his two original boats to the Gulf Coast to become the first to open in Biloxi with his renamed Isle of Capri casino. Not only did Mississippi allow casinos to operate without betting restrictions; there was no cruising requirement. Vessels were permanently docked, and—for better or worse, as we now know—most were built on barges directly on the water, forming what were essentially floating land-based casinos.

The first riverboat casinos made money through what is known in the trade as “convenience gambling,” meaning people went there solely because it offered gambling close to home. The ability to gamble without traveling to Las Vegas or Atlantic City made up for the fact that typically, one would find slots and table games cramped on several levels of a paddlewheeler. Little comfort, lots of action.

However, as with most forms of entertainment, increased competition ultimately led to better offerings, larger facilities, and a wealth of choice for the player. This was aided by the fact that the Indian gaming market was launched at essentially the same time as the riverboat market. Racinos were not far behind; nor were new land-based commercial casinos in markets like Detroit. Riverboat casinos could no longer afford to be convenience gaming outlets. They now had to compete for their customers with a collection of gaming choices that was not even on the radar of the visionaries who started riverboat gaming in the early 1990s.

Many of the older multi-level paddlewheel riverboats were replaced by massive single-level vessels with as much casino space as many traditional land-based casinos. Riverboat gaming operators expanded landside entertainment and dining complexes, added hotels, and built golf courses.

Riverboat casinos were no longer cramped vessels where gamblers put up with crowded conditions and discomfort for the sake of laying down a bet. They were resorts.

Evolution of the Offering Sanfilippo of Harrah’s says he has watched the riverboat market grow from gambling joints into full-blown destination resorts. “Early on, the experience was centered around pure gambling, with some food offerings,” he says. “Over 10 years, we’ve seen an evolution of our offerings. For example, at our Horseshoe Hammond, we are under way with a complete renovation that will transform the property.”

While many improvements and expansions have been made to the landside dining and entertainment facility, the multi-leveled vessel itself had little room for improvement. The $485-million makeover of Horseshoe Hammond will replace that vessel with a huge riverboat placing all gaming on one level. On the second level of the new boat will feature a state-of-the-art entertainment venue, two celebrity chef restaurants and a 2,500-seat buffet. New shore-side facilities will include Diamond and Seven-Star Lounges for top players. The expansion will be complete in the summer of 2008.

Horseshoe Hammond’s new facility will demonstrate something that has become common over the evolution of the riverboat gaming market: Riverboats these days are destinations, in and of themselves, and they are viable alternatives to the plane trip to Las Vegas or the larger land-based casinos of Atlantic City or Connecticut.

“The (riverboat) markets have evolved to where the non-gaming aspects of the properties are much more important,” says Wade Hundley, president of Pinnacle Entertainment, the Las Vegas-based company that operates two of the most elaborate riverboat properties in the nation, Belterra in Indiana and L’Auberge Du Lac in Lake Charles, Lousiana. “These are entertainment destinations rather than several decks of gaming.”

He adds that at the same time the non-gaming amenities have been proliferating, the riverboat markets have maintained the familiarity with their customers possible only in locals markets. “The riverboat properties will give you more personal attention than many Las Vegas properties,” says Hundley. “Your personal relationship with employees is much more evident, because Las Vegas tourist properties may see customers a couple of times a year, where in regional markets, you see them much more often.”

Hundley predicts that the riverboat market will continue to evolve along the lines of offering the best in non-gaming entertainment and pampering to go with the gaming experience. “Our company believes in building world-class destination resorts,” he says. “That’s the type of property that will be successful in the future. You want to be able to get a free spa visit or a steak dinner, and play a round of golf. People can get these things in Las Vegas, so you have to offer the same kinds of amenities—and they can get them without having to go to an airport, go through security, and go through all the other hassles that come with traveling far away.”

Tourism based on gaming entertainment—it’s a concept that once was confined to markets such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Nowadays, the Midwest riverboat markets offer an experience that is, in the end, worth the trip.

The Gems You will, in fact, find something worth the trip in each riverboat region of the country. Here are a few of the gems to be found in each of the riverboat states:

Iowa Much of the first riverboat gaming market remains as it was when it launched the industry in the early 1990s. While they can now remain docked and can operate without the silly betting restrictions, most of the 10 Iowa riverboats are still simple and small.

The exceptions to this rule are obvious every year when we do our “Best of Gaming” survey. Iowa’s two “category-killer” riverboat casinos are in Council Bluffs—Ameristar and Harrah’s. Over in Bettendorf, Isle of Capri’s second Iowa entry is definitely worth a visit as well.

Ameristar Council Bluffs This massive paddlewheel-style riverboat features around 38,000 square feet of casino space spread over three levels, with 1,651 slots and 31 table games. A great player’s club offers frequent 4X-point days and cashback on both slots and tables. Ameristar would be a typical old-fashioned riverboat casino, except for all the stuff that goes along with the games, much of it on the shore-side complex: great restaurants, including the much-acclaimed Waterfront Grille for the best steaks in the market; a 160-room hotel including eight beautiful luxury suites, 32 unique “king whirlpool rooms” and great river views; lounge entertainment at two cabaret bars, and headliners at the Amerisports Bar. In short, all the casino comforts in a river setting.

Harrah’s Council Bluffs Similar in style to Ameristar—a three-deck paddlewheel vessel with hotels and restaurants on shore facilities—Harrah’s consistently gets our readers’ nod as the best overall riverboat casino hotel in Iowa. With just over 1,000 slots and around 35 table games spread over three levels, the gaming is comparable to Ameristar, with the added benefit of the Harrah’s Total Rewards national player’s club. Harrah’s also is known for its great 240-room hotel; restaurants such as the 360 Steakhouse and the ’50s-style Ace’s Diner; and the hip Stir nightclub.

Isle of Capri Bettendorf Isle deserves honorable mention in Iowa for the property it built in the location of the property that inaugurated the riverboat market, Bettendorf. While gaming offerings are on par with other riverboats its size (like the Council Bluffs boats, it is a three-level, paddlewheel-style vessel), the adjacent 256-room hotel is outstanding, from its elegant lobby to comfortable standard rooms to the fantastic theme suites.

Illinois Illinois has nine riverboats, with the 10th license still wrapped up in the courts with legal challenges from Emerald Casino, Inc., over the revocation of its license.

The other nine riverboat casinos are mostly smaller properties, with a few large gems. There is still a $5 admission fee, although some properties, such as Harrah’s, have waived it if you flash a player’s club card. The best feature of many—and a large reason for their popularity—is proximity to the city of Chicago. In fact, the four Illinois casinos and five Indiana casinos which are all within an hour’s drive of Chicago, and which form the casino market commonly known as “Chicagoland,” constitute the third-highest-grossing casino market in the country.

Gems on the Illinois side of Chicagoland include Harrah’s Joliet and the Grand Victoria in Elgin, but one other Illinois casino far from Chicago deserves honorable mention—the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, on the Missouri border.

Harrah’s Joliet Located around 30 miles from Chicago, Harrah’s Joliet is casino on a barge docked on the Des Plaines River. During the third quarter of 2001, the two existing riverboat casinos, which had been linked by a “transition barge” after Illinois approved dockside gaming in 1999, was replaced with the single-level, Vegas-style casino. Shore-side facilities adjacent to the casino include a pavilion featuring a lounge and a retail shop, and n 11-story luxury hotel with a fitness center. You will find some of the best video poker in Chicagoland here, as well as great headline entertainment at the Stage 151 concert venue.

Grand Victoria Docked on the Fox River in Elgin, around 31 miles from Chicago, the Grand Victoria is a classic paddlewheeler on the outside, but once inside, you’d never know it. The casino’s spacious single-level interior, housing around 30,000 square feet of gaming space, sports the classic elegance of a high-end Las Vegas-style design. Grand Victoria is one of Chicagoland’s most popular casinos, and our readers consistently vote it Best Casino in the market because of good rules on the table games, great cashback and comps, and the best dealers and hosts in the business. If you go, don’t forget to visit Buckingham’s for great steak.

Casino Queen Across the state from the Chicagoland market in East St. Louis, you will find the casino with the loosest slots in the nation. This classic paddlewheel riverboat with its 27,500-square-foot casino did something last year that no other casino in the nation has been able to do: it unseated the Las Vegas locals casinos for the crown of Loosest Slots in the Nation, returning a remarkable 95.13 percent of all wagers to players, in all denominations. Among the other pleasant surprises here are a first-rate hotel, a great sports bar, and a fantastic steakhouse called the Royal Table.

Indiana There are two distinct markets for riverboats in Indiana—the five casinos on the Indiana side of the Chicagoland market, and the southern Indiana casinos along the Ohio river, which serve the Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky markets. In all, there are 10 riverboat casinos, with an 11th on the way in French Lick, to be placed on a man-made lake between two resort towns.

In the Chicagoland area, there is one Indiana choice that stands out above all the others—Resorts East Chicago. In the South, there are three standouts—Caesars Indiana, Argosy Lawrenceburg, and the fabulous Belterra.

Resorts East Chicago Resorts East Chicago, the massive yacht-style riverboat that opened as Harrah’s East Chicago, is the clear choice as the best casino in the Chicagoland market. Harrah’s sold the 53,000-square-foot casino a year ago to Resorts International Holdings, as part of the divestitures associated with its takeover of Caesars. Thankfully, Resorts has not altered it significantly. In our annual reader survey, this property consistently ranks as the best overall hotel casino in the market, along with the best rooms and suites, in the 286-room adjacent hotel.

Caesars Indiana This is one of those riverboat properties which, if seen only from the inside, is virtually indistinguishable from an upscale Las Vegas resort casino hotel. Caesars Indiana is attached to one of the most beautiful hotels in the market, its elegant lobby awash in marble befitting the familiar Roman theme. The riverboat itself, on the 5,000-passenger side-wheel style vessel dubbed Glory of Rome, is the largest riverboat casino in the world, with some 90,000 square feet of gaming space. There is fantastic slot selection, great video poker, and top-notch table games and poker room. You can’t go wrong here.

Argosy Lawrenceburg Another behemoth on the Ohio, Penn National’s Argosy Lawrenceburg casino—the closest to Cincinnati—features some of the best slots and video poker in southern Indiana, as well as another great hotel. It is one of the most popular riverboat casinos in the nation, not only for its games—2,300 slots and 80 tables spread over three levels—but for a promotion-rich slot club that many consider the best in the market.

Belterra And then there’s Belterra. Pinnacle Entertainment’s Belterra property is not as large as its neighbors, but is one of the very best riverboat casinos in the country. The two-tower hotel is twice as large as competing locations, a recent expansion bumping the room count to 608, including 57 luxurious suites. Staying at the hotel gives you access to a package of top amenities dominated by a championship golf course. The casino is just as good: The slot floor stocks the newest games on the market. Table games include five-deck blackjack and 10-times odds on craps. In short, what’s not to like?

Missouri Missouri has 11 riverboat casinos, but there are only two names you need to know: Ameristar and Harrah’s. Ameristar operates top properties in Kansas City and St. Charles, and between those properties and the Harrah’s casinos in St. Louis and North Kansas City, the two operators dominate the market.

Ameristar Kansas City / St. Charles This is a remarkably beautiful dockside casino, its two levels bedecked in gold and elegant trappings. It is a consistent winner of most of Player’s top awards for Missouri in the annual survey—clearly a favorite of players for its hotel, its restaurants, its slots, its tables, blackjack, entertainment and restaurants. As far as Missouri goes, this is the place to be. Ameristar St. Charles, recently refurbished to the tune of $360 million, is not on par with the Kansas City property. By next year, the St. Charles property will add a new 25-story hotel tower housing 400 luxury suites.

Harrah’s St. Louis Harrah’s dominates downtown St. Louis with this huge dockside facility, featuring a total of 120,000 square feet of gaming space. Harrah’s gets high marks for its hotel rooms—including some great room packages—as well as its casino promotions, and of course, the typical Harrah’s service and the ever-present Total Rewards national player’s club.

Louisiana Louisiana has 15 riverboat casinos spread out across three regions—Baton Rouge/New Orleans, Shreveport/Bossier City, and Lake Charles. The two standouts in the state are operated by Harrah’s (which also operates a land-based casino in New Orleans) and Pinnacle Entertainment.

Horseshoe Bossier City When Harrah’s Entertainment acquired the Horseshoe brand a couple of years ago, one of the best properties that came with it was the Horseshoe riverboat in Bossier City. Built by Jack Binion as the first casino in the market, it is a beautifully elegant paddlewheeler with some of the best poker, table games and slots in the state. It is adjacent to a magnificent 606-room, all-suite hotel with some of the best resort amenities to be found anywhere in the riverboat market.

L’Auberge du Lac The newest riverboat casino in Louisiana is also the best. Pinnacle’s L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino is simply gorgeous, its single-level dockside casino only one part of an amazing resort set on 227 acres. Pinnacle has here reprised the formula that worked so well at Belterra, with a 600-plus room, high-end hotel feeding the central feature of the resort—a Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole championship golf course. As we said with Belterra, what’s not to like?

Rolling on the Rivers – Riverboat Casino.

• Hotels with less than 1,000 rooms

The Paddlewheel Hotel and Casino

• Edit source

"The Paddlewheel is the place to be!"

The Paddlewheel was a river-boat themed hotel and casino located on 305 Convention Center Drive near the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The hotel was known for being more kid-friendly, including amusement rides and multiple arcade games. Eventually, a male revue was added, and the rides were removed, making the hotel less kid-friendly.

The hotel was also known for its all you can eat crab legs and ribs.

It went up for sale by Hord and Hardart in 1990 and was bought by Debbie Reynolds to become the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel .

How Riverboat Gambling Became Riverboat Gaming

Kevin has been involved in the gambling industry since the ‘80s. From winning tournaments to casino management, he’s ultimately done it all. Throughout the years, he’s written for various iGaming publications on topics such as the legal landscape of online casinos and strategies behind winning. His favorite game is blackjack.

Cash-strapped states across the South and Midwest in the late eighties and early nineties were desperate for a new source of cash revenue that didn’t raise taxes. Gambling seemed like an easy way out, but it was going to be a hard sell to dubious voters.

But what if they used the allure of the old riverboat gambling myths and the promise of using the riverboat casinos to keep the gambling scourge at arm’s length from impacted communities? Could they sell this new, sanitized riverboat gaming to their constituents?

The Evolution of Gaming on America’s Rivers

We will explore the history of riverboat gaming in America from the early 19th century right into the 21st. We will discuss how it morphed and was delicately managed to become a product that a broad number of people could support a few decades ago, before starting another slow decline, and we take a closer look at some of its few bright remaining stars.

• ⛴ The History of Riverboat Gambling
• ⛴ The Beginnings of Riverboat Gaming
• ⛴ A Few of the Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining
• ⛴ Conclusion

The History of Riverboat Gambling

The first steamboat to make the trip down the Ohio and then the Mississippi was aptly named New Orleans, and she made her inaugural trip in 1811. For the next 100 years, these boats would define commerce along the nation’s mighty rivers. And with commerce comes con men.

The huge sums of money that came from moving much of the fledgling nation’s goods up and down the rivers would prove to be a powerful temptation. While much of the gambling that soon developed on these long, slow trips along the river was legal, many of the men who came to play were on the wrong side of the law .

Not even two decades into the new steamboat trade and there were articles in the Eastern papers about the con men, card sharps, and confidence scams being run on every bumpkin that set foot on a boat. In 1835, the townsfolk in Vicksburg had had enough; they lynched 5 of the “professional gamblers” and burned every Faro table in town, which was stated to be in the dozens.

Much like the frontiersman who preceded them and the Wild West lawmen who would come later, these sharply dressed, supremely confident riverboat gamblers who plied their way on the steamboats of the Mississippi using only their luck and some “skills” they’d picked up along the way were the subject of many salacious headlines and stories in their day. Despite their many obvious flaws, an almost reverence was bestowed on them as archetypical American heroes.

The Beginnings Of Riverboat Gaming

The hay day of the Riverboat gambler started to fade in the 1860s during the Civil War, and then with the advent of railroads, they were soon all but forgotten. But in the early 1990s, states desperate for tax revenue and looking at the success of Las Vegas and Atlantic City decided to retest the waters of riverboat gambling.

This time, it was a way of introducing limited casino operations only along the waterways of the State’s rivers, selling it to their constituents as a diversion and pastime. Thus, the term riverboat gaming was needed . This was to be entertainment and frivolity, none of those card sharps and hustlers from the good ole days. So, a new term was coined.

Iowa led the riverboat race with the Diamond Lady in Bettendorf in April 1991. But riverboat gaming would soon come to Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana , and other states along the Mississippi and other large rivers like the Missouri and Ohio and even the Fox and Red Rivers.

Used mainly as a stalking horse for the eventual opening of land-based casinos in most of these states, many gamblers found the cramped quarters, the limited selection of slots and tables, and most egregious of all, the ability to only embark or disembark while the boat was at the pier, to be a let down from the Las Vegas style experience that they had been promised.

In Iowa, the first land-based casinos made an appearance in just three years. In every State, some accommodations were made , from no longer having to cruise the dangerous rivers to being allowed to move on to barges over the river to being able to move to land as long as you were adjacent to the river. This was a push generally called dock-side gaming, which meant that the actual return of elegant paddle wheelers with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines prowling the Mississippi again lasted less than a decade.

Dock-side gaming was far safer and allowed gamblers to come and go as they pleased , which drove casino revenues much higher. Also, the ability in some states to move either onto barges or land-based casinos adjacent to piers saw some spectacular casinos get built that could finally meet the promise of a Las Vegas experience.

A Few Of The Best Riverboat Casinos Remaining

If you are going to visit one of the grand old ladies of the river, we think that you should start with the actual riverboats that once traveled the Mississippi, and of these, the Amelia Belle is one of the most iconic .

Situated about an hour and a half outside New Orleans, deep in Cajun Country, this beautiful riverboat gambling hall has over 30,000 square feet of gaming space , 800 slots, and a dozen table games. Before she was damaged during Hurricane Katrina, she sailed up the river from the port of New Orleans several times a day in the mid-90s, but she now sits permanently in Bayou Bouef, her expedition days behind her.

Since Louisiana has kept its premise of at least gambling on a boat, even if its moored in a giant pool or cemented to the dock, longer than most other of the original riverboat casino states, it’s no wonder we can find most of the truly breathtaking and best riverboat casinos there.

Another of the must-see gambling boats sits on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana. Chosen for its 20-minute proximity to the Texas border and only two and a half hours drive from Dallas, Shreveport was once a thriving riverboat gambling town and one of the country’s premier riverboat casino locations. But the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, which sit only an hour outside of Dallas to the North, have taken some of their business.

Still, there are several other riverboats operating in Shreveport, but what we think makes the Sam’s Town Property, one of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana , is that they’ve turned a 30,000-square-foot gaming boat into a destination resort. They have a 500+ room hotel directly adjacent and tied into the property with four restaurants including a really nice steak house and lots of other amenities. The boat itself has over 1000 slots and more than 27 table games.

One of the best riverboat casinos outside of Louisiana is the Grand Victoria in Elgin, Illinois. Built back in 1995, she was spared the dangers of cruising the Fox River in 1999, when Illinois was one of the last states to end their riverboat gaming rules that required the boats to leave their docks. Today, this 30,000-foot boat has room for 1100 slots and almost 30 tables and even sports an onboard buffet and three other restaurants. She is one of the prettier examples of the early 1990s boats that you will see as well, and it is well worth your time to get a good vantage point and take in her lines.

While both the age of riverboat gamblers and its more recent short-lived renaissance of riverboat gaming are now a thing of the past, the allure of cruising the mighty Mississippi while making your living playing cards and shooting dice will probably live on into the distant future. There is something about the water flowing past and the land slipping by out the window that just seems to call for a quick hand of poker or a spin on the roulette wheel.

It’s a call back to a time when the men and women who traveled these waterways were used to risking everything in order to follow their dreams. Get out there and check out some of those boats, wander the decks, play a hand or two of blackjack, and contemplate that river streaming by while you still have a chance to see a dying American breed , the last of the riverboat casinos.

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Laughlin, Nevada : Riverboat-Shaped Casino

The design of the Colorado Belle is probably the craziest thing in this wannabe Vegas town, which shows how far it has to go. Currently closed, but still visible.

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Visitor Tips and News About Riverboat-Shaped Casino

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters . Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip .

The casino has closed and you can no longer go inside, but the building still stands.

News reports this week say that the Colorado Belle is closed indefinitely.

Thanks for the update! Still a worthwhile roadside attraction -- until demolished or otherwise scuttled, it's the only building in Nevada shaped like a 19th century paddle-wheel riverboat.

One of the swimming pools at the Colorado Belle is shaped like the state of NV. This is a really neat hotel that is also an old time paddle boat with two other towers.

March 2010: Mobile Tipster "Pat" reported: "the staff at the Co Belle has never heard of this," and our satellite view perusal doesn't reveal an outdoor NV-shaped pool. Past renovaton casualty? Safely hidden for high-rollers?

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Memories still adrift, but Showboat name is gone

The opening of the Showboat Atlantic City 27 years ago carried the hoopla of a Las Vegas celebration. But on Sunday, the Showboat closed with considerably less fanfare.

The opening of the Showboat Atlantic City 27 years ago carried the hoopla of a Las Vegas celebration.

Legendary entertainer Bob Hope broke a champagne bottle at building’s base to christen the resort, which was designed to resemble a cruise ship.

Jazz trumpeter Al Hirt performed in the Mardi Gras-themed lounge on opening night.

Showboat officials were joined by Atlantic City leaders and New Jersey’s governor in welcoming the state’s newest hotel-casino to the northern end of the Boardwalk.

On Sunday, the Showboat closed with much less commotion.

The name, synonymous with the casinos in various gaming markets since 1954, has vanished.

Current Showboat owner Caesars Entertainment Corp. shut down the property as part of an effort to shrink Atlantic City’s oversaturated casino industry. The Great Recession and competition from neighboring states have decimated Atlantic City’s gaming revenue, which has declined 60 percent since 2006.

The Showboat Atlantic City, however, was still considered a profitable resort up until its closing.

Las Vegas-based Showboat Inc. opened the property — with 516 hotel rooms and a 60,000-square-foot casino — in March 1987 at a cost of $235 million.

A move to Atlantic City was viewed as a way to expand the company beyond Nevada, where it operated the Mississippi riverboat-themed Showboat Las Vegas at the intersection of Fremont Street and the Boulder Highway.

By 1998, when Showboat Inc. was acquired by Harrah’s (now Caesars) Entertainment for $1.2 billion, the company had resorts in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Australia, New Orleans and Indiana.

“The Atlantic City Showboat gave us the credibility to go into Australia,” former Showboat director Gregg Nasky said Tuesday. “The property also gave us an invite into England where they considered having us build something like Showboat over there.”

Nasky, 72, spent 15 years on Showboat’s board. An attorney who lives in Honolulu and practices law with an Hawaiian firm, Nasky was one of the three company officials who brought Showboat to Atlantic City.

Nasky made more than 80 trips in 2½ years to Atlantic City to secure the Showboat’s 10-acre Boardwalk site and the financing for the property.

After Showboat Atlantic City opened, the company’s board met every three months at the casino to show support for the location.

“Atlantic City was like old Las Vegas at the time,” Nasky recalled.

Showboat Inc. was headed by some of Las Vegas’s pioneer gaming names including J. Kell Houssels Sr., J. Kell Houssels Jr., Kell Houssels III, Joe Kelley, Mead Dixon and Frank Modica.

The late Jackie Gaughan spent 20 years on the Showboat board and was the lead director in the Atlantic City venture. The New Jersey Gaming Enforcement Division, however, wanted to deny Gaughan a license for the Showboat because of his ties to illegal gambling as a teenager. The Casino Control Commission unanimously overruled the recommendation.

“The family would never do anything to hurt the Showboat name,” Nasky said. “People knew the name Houssels and Gaughan were behind the Showboat.”

Showboat Las Vegas was one of the first casinos to be successful in attracting locals and tourists. The property was famous for its 106-lane bowling center, which housed televised professional matches and amateur events, and the sports pavilion, which was home to low-priced boxing, wrestling and roller derby.

The same operating ideas were brought to Atlantic City with a 60-lane bowling center.

On opening day, Modica said the Showboat would “cater to middle America, to working people, local business” and “the grind business,” in reference to the property’s slot machine customers.

Nasky said Harrah’s acquired the rights to the Showboat name, as well as various trademarks used in marketing efforts, including “Don’t Miss the Boat.”

But the Showboat name is gone.

Harrah’s sold Showboat’s Australian casino in conjunction with purchasing the company in 1998. The Showboat East Chicago in Indiana was renamed Harrah’s East Chicago and was later sold to Ameristar Casinos.

Showboat’s New Orleans riverboat casino dropped the Showboat name and the facility was moved to Lake Charles, La.

As for the Showboat Las Vegas, Harrah’s sold the casino to new operators in 2000, who renamed the property the Castaways and gave the facility a tropical island theme. However, the casino went bankrupt, was closed in 2004 and acquired by Station Casinos, which demolished the building in 2006. The site remains vacant.

Caesars expanded Showboat Atlantic City to 1,331 rooms and increased the casino to 128,000 square feet. The bowling center was replaced with a $65 million House of Blues complex that included a 2,400-person-capacity concert hall.

Nasky said he’s been following coverage of the Showboat Atlantic City’s closure with some sadness. The timing does carry some irony.

Today would be the 60th anniversary of the Showboat Las Vegas opening.

Howard Stutz’s Inside Gaming column appears Wednesdays and Sundays. He can be reached at [email protected] or 702-477-3871. Follow on Twitter: @howardstutz.

A new study shows that visitation is increasing and those who arrive have higher median incomes than in past years. Many of those affluent visitors are staying.

The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a potential casino industry hub in the same way Macao did in in the late 1990s. But the UAE transition could be even better.

There aren’t many Nevada companies that have been around for 75 years but a prominent law firm claimed that distinction last month.

An expert who monitors sports wagering nationwide thinks Nevada may need to change its in-person registration policy to keep up with competitors nationwide.

It’s been 47 years since the IRS established $1,200 as the level at which W2G tax forms are issued. Is that dollar amount finally about to change?

The convergence of Olympic curling triumphs, a Canadian fan base and a nonprofit club have laid the groundwork for a new local facility.

While MGM’s lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission and a “60 Minutes” story offered new details, there are still unanswered questions about last year’s cyberattack.

Two companies, Z4Poker and MGM Interactive, ask regulators to extend the activation of their licenses a 14th time so that they can enter a lackluster market.

The transition of The Mirage to Hard Rock Las Vegas will generate nostalgic memories, but it’s part of the Las Vegas way of constantly evolving to what’s next.

A legal expert says Fontainebleau’s response to Wynn for poaching employees sounds more like a divorce proceeding than a business lawsuit.

The Lazy Rivers in Las Vegas

Nothing says relaxation, like floating down a lazy river in a tube without a worry in the world. Unfortunately, finding an excellent lazy river is no small feat! Las Vegas hotels are known for having impressive pools, but only a few hotels in Las Vegas have a lazy river.

 Dive into the best lazy river hotels in Vegas for the vacation you’ve been dreaming of!

MGM Grand Las Vegas

MGM Grand Hotel is one of the biggest names on the Las Vegas Strip. The massive hotel and casino feature every amenity you can think of, including a gorgeous lazy river! This ¼-mile-long lazy river features a gently flowing current and perfectly heated water.

MGM Grand Pool Complex Amenities

Amenities at the tahiti village resort pool.

• Mandalay Bay Beach Amenities 

Cowabunga Bay

The MGM Grand’s lazy river is just the beginning of the fun! You can also enjoy four swimming pools, three whirlpools, and beautiful waterfalls around the 6.5-acre pool complex.

Lazy River Hours & Policies

The lazy river pool at MGM Grand is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily.

Hotels guests get free access to the MGM Grand Pool Complex, which means you won’t have to spend any extra cash to enjoy a float down the river. 

Guests can bring their own inner tube, rent an inner tube by the pool, or just walk along the 4 ft high river. Only circular tubes are allowed in the lazy river.

One of the things that makes the famous lazy river at MGM Grand stand out are the incredible amenities for guests in the pool area. Pool amenities include:

• Private cabanas
• Reserve seating
• Five poolside bars
• Cabana Grill 
• Poolside massage services
• Bottle service

Tahiti Village Resort

Tahiti Village is one of the Las Vegas hotels that aren’t on the strip. It’s just a short 10-minute drive from all the action, but you’ll feel like you’re in a faraway tropical oasis! 

The pool area features a sandy beach entry into the Tahitian-themed pool. There’s something about feeling real sand between your toes that makes it feel like paradise! 

The lazy river is 1/8th mile long, with more than 185,000 gallons of water in the lazy river pool.

Take in the stunning views of four waterfalls and tiki torches as you unwind in one of the two hot tubs at Tahiti Village. The seasonally heated pool is ready to enjoy any time of year!

The lazy river hours at this Las Vegas hotel change seasonally. The seasonal schedule is not available online, but the lazy river is open every day of the week!

The lazy river pools, hot tubs, and pool deck area are only open to hotel guests. You can gain entry with a valid room key during your stay.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the pool area. Personal tubes are also not permitted. Each guest will receive a free tube rental daily during their stay, though!

The lazy river at Tahiti Village is known for being one of the best lazy rivers in Las Vegas. While the amenities found at Tahiti Village Resort may not be as luxurious as the amenities found at other Las Vegas hotels, you’ll still have plenty of poolside fun! 

• Two full-service tiki bar locations
• Free lazy river tubes for all hotel guests
• Real sand beach
• Free lounge chairs

Mandalay Bay Beach

Mandalay Bay Beach is an incredible 11 acres of aquatic fun. The pool complex at Mandalay Bay Resort features three swimming pools, a 1.6 million gallon wave pool, several hot tubs, and a ¼-mile lazy river. 

There’s even an adults-only pool area with a top-optional dress code and a daytime pool club with live entertainment daily!

Mandalay Bay Beach has been named one of the best Vegas pools by big-name travel sites, including Trip Advisor. As if that isn’t enough, the lazy river at Mandalay Bay ranks as one of the best lazy rivers in Las Vegas on every top-ranked search result through Google too!

Mandalay Bay pool hours are 8 AM to 7 PM daily, including the lazy river.

Access to the wave pool, lazy river, and beach complex is for hotel guests with a valid room key only. Mandalay Bay Beach does not allow outdoor food and drinks, but you are welcome to bring your inner tube. 

Inner tubes must be under 48″ and circular. You can also purchase an inner tube by the pool if you don’t have one. Inner tubes are only allowed in the lazy river.

Mandalay Bay Beach Amenities 

Mandalay Bay offers a nice range of pool amenities to fit each guest’s individual needs. Your pool experience can be perfectly personalized to fit the image of your Las Vegas dream vacation!

• Three poolside bars
• Beach Bar and Grill
• Personalized villas, cabanas, and bungalows
• Personal cabana hosts
• Personal cabana servers
• Pearl Moon Boutique
• Plush chairs and day beds

Non-Hotel Lazy River in Las Vegas

If you want to experience a lazy river during your Las Vegas trip without booking one of the three hotels with an on-site lazy river, you’re in luck! There is one lazy river in Vegas, not at a hotel, just a short drive from the Vegas Strip.

Book a day pass and float the day away!

Cowabunga Bay is a waterpark about 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The park features 11 waterslides, splash pools, a wave pool, a kids zone, and a lazy river officially named Cowabunga River.

The variety of activities at Cowabunga Bay means there’s something for the entire family to enjoy! 

General admission tickets begin at $45 per person.

More Exciting Pools in Las Vegas

Even if there are only a few hotels in Las Vegas with a lazy river, Las Vegas is overflowing with exciting hotel pools worth checking out! Consider one of these pools if a lazy river hotel doesn’t fit the bill for your upcoming trip.

• ARIA Resort
• Monte Carlo
• Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace featuring Apollo Pool
• Pool decks at The Venetian and Palazzo
• The Lush Mirage Pool

Wind Your Way Down a Lazy River in Las Vegas 

Explore more Las Vegas Food & Fun content today to discover the best-hidden gems in Las Vegas. From restaurant recommendations to in-depth reviews of Las Vegas hotels and even coupons for extra savings around Sin City, we’ve got everything you need to plan the Las Vegas experience of your dreams!

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• Nov 3, 2023

Laughlin Strip map and it's 10 most popular questions answered.

Updated: Nov 18, 2023

Are you planning a trip to Laughlin and, like me, are the kind of person who wants to know everything about your destination before you go? Well, I will try my best to answer general questions that people have asked us while doing one of our off-road experience s.

In this Article:

Is Laughlin, Nevada worth visiting?

What are the best months to visit Laughlin?

Does Laughlin have a strip?

What casinos and hotels are on the strip of Laughlin?

Why is Laughlin so popular?

Is Laughlin cheaper than Las Vegas?

Can you walk between casinos in Laughlin?

How long is the Laughlin Riverwalk?

Can you walk around with alcohol in Laughlin?

Are drinks in Laughlin free?

1. Is Laughlin, Nevada worth visiting?

If you ask anyone who has been to Laughlin if Laughlin, Nevada, is worth visiting, you will likely hear this answer: "It is a mini version of Las Vegas that is quieter, with an older average age than in Las Vegas."

If you prefer gambling without the younger crowds, you'll enjoy Laughlin. If you appreciate nature, you'll definitely love Laughlin, as it is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and the Laughlin Strip runs along the Colorado River.

2. What are the best months to visit Laughlin?

If you dislike extremely hot weather, like I do, you'll love Laughlin from October to April. My favorite month is October because the temperature is not too hot, and the water is still warm enough for swimming. If you want to take advantage of the water, I would definitely choose October. March and April are also really good months but keep in mind that the snow melt from the Colorado mountains is what will be in the Colorado River (extremely cold especially in March, and I know this from experience, because my first time here we went jet skiing in March! Brrrr!!!).

During the winter months ( December, January and February ) the temperature will average at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit as highs and about 45 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

March and November have average highs in the mid 70's and lows in the 50's.

April and October have average highs at about 86 degrees and lows around 58 degrees.

The months from May to September have highs over 100 degrees.

The advantages of the months of May and June over July August and September is that you might have a cool breeze refresh you once in a while whereas in the summer months you have a hot blow drier in your face anytime the wind is there.

If you are used to using Celsius instead of Fahrenheit here is a tool you can use:

3. Does Laughlin have a strip? (View the map to the strip)

Yes, it does!

Is it as long as the Las Vegas Strip? Not quite! The Las Vegas Strip spans 5.2 miles (from the Welcome to Las Vegas sign to The Strat hotel), while the Laughlin Strip (from the Chamber of Commerce to Harrah's Hotel and Casino) covers approximately 1.87 miles, which is quite a bit less than half. However, its location along the Colorado River makes it particularly appealing to nature lovers. You can stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the scenic beauty of the water.

In the map of the Laughlin Strip below, you can see the blue dotted line, which represents the Laughlin Strip.

4. What casinos and hotels are on the strip of Laughlin?

There are 9 Casinos on the Laughlin strip and 8 of them are also hotels. If you click on the interactive map, you will be able to see the 9 Casinos and where they are located. The closest hotel to the north bridge is Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino . On the map you do not see a bridge on the south of Harrah's because it is under construction, but it should be fished soon.

Here are the 9 Casinos from the North bridge (the only casino that is not a hotel is the Regency Casino):

Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino :

1650 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.riversideresort.com

+1 702-298-2535

Aquarius Casino Resort :

1900 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.aquariuscasinoresort.com

+1 702-298-5111

Regency Casino:

1950 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.regencylaughlin.com

+1 702-299-1220

Edgewater Casino:

2020 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.edgewater-casino.com

+1 702-298-4000

Tropicana :

2121 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

https://www.caesars.com/tropicana-laughlin

+1 702-298-4200

The new Pioneer Hotel and Casino

2200 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.laughlinpioneer.com

+1 702-298-2442

Golden Nugget Laughlin Hotel and Casino :

2300 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.goldennugget.com /laughlin/

+1 702-298-7111

Laughlin River lodge :

2700 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

www.laughlinriverlodge.com

+1 702-298-2242

Harrah's Laughlin

2900 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029

https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-laughlin

+1 702-298-4600

5. Why is Laughlin so popular?

I think that Laughlin is popular because of everything that it has to offer at a fraction of the price of Las Vegas.

Also, Laughlin is peaceful because it is in the middle of nature.

There is entertainment in all the casinos and an exceptional event center situated outdoors. I saw Pitbull at the Laughlin Event Center hosted by Golden Entertainment in May 2022 and let me tell you there is nothing like dancing outdoors to your favorite artist with the breeze in your face!

It's a preferred destination for golf enthusiasts, thanks to its ideal winter temperatures.

In summer there are all the water activities like swimming, fishing, and renting a jetski.

And you can't forget about the off roading! Laughlin is surrounded by the Mojave Desert that can be explored in UTV's.

6. Is Laughlin cheaper than Las Vegas?

Laughlin is so much cheaper than Las Vegas. You will probably not find the fancy restaurants and drinks, but you will not have to pay an extremely high price like in Las Vegas eighter.

I don't think that these 2 cities should be compared as the only thing, in my opinion that they have in common is a strip of hotels and casinos. Apart from the casinos these 2 cities are completely different and Laughlin a lot cheaper.

7. Can you walk between casinos in Laughlin?

Walking between casinos in Laughlin makes this town so charming. You can walk on the sidewalk beside S. Casino drive or on the Riverwalk.

And, if you're tired and prefer not to walk back to your hotel, you can hop on a water taxi, creating a delightful memory of your time in Laughlin.

8. How long is the Laughlin Riverwalk?

The Riverwalk on the Laughlin Strip extends just over 1 mile, starting from the parking lot of Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino and ending at Laughlin River Lodge.

If you look at the green line on the map you will see the part of the Riverwalk that is on the strip.

If you feel adventurous you can walk out of the Laughlin strip from the Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino to the Davis Dam on this same Riverwalk Trail.

The views are beautiful during the day as you can enjoy the Colorado River and Bullhead City. The views at night are awesome with all the casino lights on.

It is pretty hot in summer so don't forget to bring a lot of water and protect your skin with appropriate clothes and sunscreen. There are also certain times of the year when bugs are everywhere!

If you love hiking, there are a lot of hiking trails all around Laughlin and Bullhead City.

And if you want to discover more trails in less time you can always go off-roading with OUI Experience .

9. Can you walk around with alcohol in Laughlin?

You can walk around Laughlin with alcohol in an open container as long as you are 21 years old or over and the alcohol is not in glass or aluminum container.

Also, you are not allowed to drink in some places like bus stops and near churches.

You are also not allowed to have an open container of alcohol if you are within 1000 feet of the store where the alcohol was purchased.

If you want to walk from 1 hotel to another with your drink you can ask for a plastic cup (or bring your own reusable cup) and you will be able to enjoy your drink as you walk.

10. Are drinks in Laughlin free?

In general, drinks are free as long as you are gambling in the Casinos on the strip of Laughlin. Gratuity is not included but is customary. You can order any mixed drink or shot. Keep in mind, however, that these complimentary drinks are smaller than drinks you would receive if you ordered one at the bar.

I hope I was able to answer some of your questions. You can also read Unwind on Your trip to Laughlin Nevada: An absolutely Relaxing Adventure to learn more about Laughlin. If you would like me to answer a question that was not covered in this article, please leave me a comment below.

If you want to explore the Mojave Desert, reach out to us at OUI Experience for an unforgettable Off-road tour in the Mojave Desert and we can help you plan the perfect adventure for you and your loved ones. Your relaxing adventure is just around the corner, and the memories you'll make are sure to last a lifetime.

If you want to have fun here is a little quiz that I created to test your knowledge!!

Contact OUI Experience now to start your journey or follow us on social media for the latest updates and inspiration:

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"The dirtiest fun you can have with your clothes on at any age!"

Ani and Jake Benz

Oui Experience LLC

763-218-8422

[email protected]

www.ouiexperience.com

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Jury finds ex-politician guilty of murder in 2022 killing of Las Vegas investigative reporter

LAS VEGAS -- A jury in Nevada has found a Democratic former Las Vegas-area politician guilty of murder in the killing of an investigative journalist who wrote articles critical of his conduct in elected office.

Robert Telles hung his head, shaking it slightly from side to side as the verdict was read Wednesday in Clark County District Court. Jurors deliberated for nearly 12 hours after hearing eight days of evidence in his trial, which began Aug 12.

Telles, 47, has been jailed without bail since his arrest several days after Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jeff German was found stabbed to death in a side yard of his home over Labor Day weekend 2022.

Jurors now will hear evidence in the penalty phase of trial before deciding Telles' sentence.

Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. Telles faces life in prison without parole, life with parole eligibility at 20 years, or 20 to 50 years in prison.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, a Democrat, would not specify for the media the reason he didn't seek the death penalty but told The Associated Press separately that "in and of themselves" neither Telles' position as an elected official nor German's role as an investigative reporter were deciding factors. He declined to be more specific

He said outside the courtroom that he was surprised by the length of time the jury deliberated but is confident jurors carefully considered evidence.

"The jury hit the ball out of the park this time," he said. "They hit a home run by getting the right verdict."

Telles denied killing German. He alleged a broad conspiracy of people framed him for German's killing in retaliation for his effort to root out corruption he saw in his office.

"I am not the kind of person who would stab someone. I didn't kill Mr. German," he testified. "And that's my testimony."

Jessica Coleman, a coworker in the troubled county office who attended the trial, sobbed as she exited the courtroom after the verdict was read.

"Finally. Finally," she said. "Finally the system is working."

Defense lawyer Robert Draskovich showed the jury an image during closing arguments Monday of a person whose profile didn't look like Telles' driving a maroon SUV that evidence showed was key to the crime. He noted that none of German's blood or DNA was found on Telles, in his vehicle or at his home.

He asked jurors to ask themselves, "What evidence is missing?"

Prosecutor Christopher Hamner told jurors that finding Telles guilty would be like "connecting the dots" based on overwhelming evidence they heard - including DNA that matched Telles found beneath German's fingernails.

Hamner maintained that German fought to the death with his attacker and that Telles blamed German for destroying his career, ruining his reputation and threatening his marriage.

Telles lost his primary for a second elected term after German's stories appeared in the Las Vegas Review-Journal in May and June 2022. They described turmoil and bullying at the Clark County Public Administrator/Guardian office and a romantic relationship between Telles and an employee.

Hamner said Telles learned from county officials just hours before German was killed that the reporter was working on another story about that relationship.

Prosecutors presented a timeline and videos showing Telles' maroon SUV leaving the neighborhood near his home a little after 9 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2022, and driving on streets near German's home a short time later.

The SUV driver is seen wearing a bright orange outfit similar to one worn by a person captured on camera walking to German's home and slipping into a side yard where German was attacked just after 11:15 a.m.

A little more than 2 minutes later, the figure in orange emerged and walked down a sidewalk. German did not reappear.

Evidence showed Telles' wife sent him a text message about 10:30 a.m. asking, "Where are you?" Prosecutors said Telles left his cellphone at home so he couldn't be tracked. Telles told the jury he took a walk and then went to a gym in the afternoon.

German, 69, was a respected journalist who spent 44 years covering crime, courts and corruption in Las Vegas. About a dozen of his family members and friends have watched the trial. They've declined as a group to comment.

Telles is an attorney who practiced civil law before he was elected in 2018. His law license was suspended following his arrest.

Weckerly and Hamner presented 28 witnesses and hundreds of pages of photos, police reports and video. Telles and five other people testified for the defense. No Telles family members were called to the stand or identified in the trial gallery.

German was the only journalist killed in the U.S. in 2022, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The nonprofit has records of 17 media workers killed in the U.S. since 1992.

Associated Press videographer Ty ONeil contributed to this report.

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