There are numerous gambling dens in the state, the biggest number being on docked river boats. The biggest of the Iowa gambling dens is the Meswaki Bingo Casino Hotel, a Native American gambling den in Tama, with 127,669 sq.ft. of gambling space, 1,500 slot machines, thirty table games, such as chemin de fer, craps, roulette, and baccarat, and several varieties of poker; also three restaurants, monthly shows, and gambling advice. One more large Native American casino is the Winna Vegas, with 45,000 square feet, 668 slot machines, and 14 table games. Also, the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs never closes, with 38,500 square feet, 1,589 slot machines, 36 table games, and four dining rooms. There are several other dominant Iowa gambling dens, including Harrah’s Council Bluffs, with 28,250 square feet, 1,212 slot machines, and 39 table games.
A smaller Iowa casino is the Diamond Jo, a riverboat gambling den in Dubuque, with 17,813 sq.ft., 776 slots, and 19 table games. The Catfish Bend river boat, in Fort Madison, with 13,000 square feet, 535 slots, and 14 table games. Another Iowa river based gambling den, The Isle of Capri, is open all day and night, with 24,939 square feet, 1,100 one armed bandits, and 24 table games. The Mississippi Belle II, a 10,577 sq.ft. riverboat gambling den in Clinton, has 506 slots, 14 table games, live shows, and Thursday chemin de fer tournaments.
Iowa casinos provide an excellent amount of tax revenue to the state of Iowa, which has permitted the bankrolling of many commonwealth wide projects. Tourism has gotten bigger at a fast percentage accompanied with the requirement for processors and a gain in employment. Iowa casinos have contributed to the growth of the economy, and the enthusiasm for gambling in Iowa is absolute.
