There are a few gambling halls in the state, most on stationary riverboats. The grandest of the Iowa gambling dens is the Meswaki Bingo Casino Hotel, an American Indian gambling hall in Tama, with 127,669 sq.ft. of gaming room, 1,500 one armed bandits, 30 table games, such as chemin de fer, craps, roulette, and baccarat, and several varieties of poker; also 3 dining rooms, daily shows, and betting lessons. Another big American Indian casino is the Winna Vegas, with 45,000 sq.ft., 668 slots, and 14 table games. Furthermore, the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs is open 24 hours, with 38,500 square feet, 1,589 slot machines, 36 table games, and 4 eatery’s. There are several other popular Iowa gambling dens, including Harrah’s Council Bluffs, with 28,250 square feet, 1,212 slots, and 39 table games.
A smaller Iowa casino is the Diamond Jo, a water based gambling den in Dubuque, with 17,813 square feet, 776 slots, and 19 table games. The Catfish Bend river based, in Fort Madison, with 13,000 square feet, 535 slots, and 14 table games. An additional Iowa water based gambling den, The Isle of Capri, is open all hours, with 24,939 square feet, 1,100 slot machines, and 24 table games. The Mississippi Belle II, a 10,577 square foot riverboat gambling hall in Clinton, has 506 one armed bandits, 14 table games, live productions, and Thursday 21 events.
Iowa casinos present a great deal of tax revenue to the state of Iowa, which has enabled the bankrolling of many state wide activities. Tourism has gotten bigger at a fast rate accompanied with the requirement for services and a gain in employment. Iowa casinos have been instrumental to the expansion of the economy, and the excitement for gaming in Iowa is widespread.
