The History of Riverboat and Cruise Casinos

Before the dawn of online casinos as well as the improvement of tribal casinos, going on a casino cruise was the only legitimate method of gambling in the United States aside from Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Today, a riverboat casino is just one of the many methods that a recreational gambler can turn to whenever he wants to gamble.

The origin of riverboat and cruise casinos dates back to the start of the 19th century when the Mississippi River was the principal commercial hub for farmers and merchants. The towns in the shore of this river lured professional gamblers, also called cardsharps, who were targeting the travelers carrying huge sum of money.

In 1835, these cardsharps transferred south of the Mississippi. Gambling in riverboats remained an informal diversion among travelers. The previous twenty years prior to the Civil War saw a boost in gambling activities in the riverboat casinos.

The general view of a typical riverboat gambler saw a marked improvement during the last hundred years. During its early years, gambling in riverboat casinos was included in the lifestyle of the frontier, now, casino cruises was a fitting anniversary gift for parents or grandparents.

In 1989, Iowa led the move in legalizing riverboat casinos. At present, it is legalized in Georgia, Louisiana, Iowa, Florida, Mississippi, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Texas, and Michigan. In a few of the states, riverboat casinos travel along the sea, while others are permanently docked in the port. Another kind of riverboat casino allows a gambler to transfer to an adjacent casino and indulge in their preferred casino game for several hours.

The variety of casino games accessible in riverboat casinos may vary from one state to another. The most common games played in riverboat casinos may range from roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and slot machines. Poker variations such as Texas Holdem are likewise available in some of them. Casino cruises, on the other hand, cater to family oriented ventures and provide other activities outside of gambling.

Different casino cruises and riverboat casinos docked on the harbor offers the most glamorous Las Vegas influenced style casinos and more basic options. If you like to gamble for fun and you have the tendency to develop sea sickness, going on a casino cruise can be an exciting weekend getaway.

Riverboat casinos have gone a long way since it was first introduced in the rivers of Mississippi in the nineteenth century. Today, it stands as one of the methods that a gambler can indulge in to enjoy his favorite casino game.