Casinos are no longer confined to land—they now exist on the open water as well. Boat casinos, often called riverboat casinos, first gained popularity in the late 20th century when gambling was largely prohibited on land and casino construction was heavily restricted. As a workaround, entrepreneurs began setting up docked boats near towns and cities, attracting bettors without violating the law. However, even as gambling laws began lifting in later years, riverboat casinos remained popular, as they continued to attract bettors worldwide.
Boat casinos appeal to bettors because of their novelty. It’s not every day that people get to board a boat, let alone one that offers tons of casino games! These casinos often provide a full entertainment experience, featuring exclusive amenities like bars, fine dining, live entertainment, and dance floors in addition to all the classic casino games.
Platforms like OMG Casino provide an equally thrilling gaming experience from the comfort of home.
Casino Buenos Aires, also known as the Estrella de la Fortuna (translating to the “Star of Fortune”), is a massive replica of a Mississippi riverboat. It is located in Puerto Madero and hosts over 700 different slot machines and hundreds of table games, ensuring there’s something for just about any kind of casino player.
The Star of Fortune isn’t just about the exciting games; this 24-hour casino, established in 1999, also offers a great dining experience. If bettors get a bit peckish between games, they can explore any of the shoreside restaurants where the boat is conveniently docked.
Make sure to brush up on your Spanish before making a trip to the Estrella de la Fortuna, as most of the staff on board don’t speak fluent English.
Casino Sunborn is a five-star luxury yacht hotel located in Ocean Village Marina. Known as the world’s first Superyacht Casino, it offers an upscale gambling experience featuring jackpot machines, sports betting terminals, electronic roulette, and pinball roulette—all utilizing the latest cutting-edge technology to maximize guest convenience.
Beyond its high-tech gaming options, Casino Sunborn hosts monthly poker tournaments as well as poker cash games every Friday and Saturday night. Hotel guests can also enjoy complimentary drink service while playing in the slot machine section.
The Mississippi Belle II was established back in 1994 by the Robert Kehl family. This riverboat casino was built to replace a riverboat the family owned previously (the Mississippi Belle I). Since then, the Mississippi Belle II operated on the Clinton riverfront until it was eventually sold to Wild Rose Entertainment. At its peak, this floating casino featured 506 slot machines, 14 table games, and a full-service restaurant where players could grab a quick snack or enjoy a full meal.
However, in 2007, the Mississippi Belle II made its final cruise as a floating casino under Wild Rose’s ownership. Since then, it has changed hands multiple times, with new owners eventually removing gambling entirely in favor of transforming it into a dinner cruise boat. As of now, the future of the once-beloved Mississippi Belle II remains uncertain.
The Amelia Belle is a riverboat casino that operates in Amelia, Louisiana. Over the years, it has changed ownership multiple times, previously known as Bally’s New Orleans and the Belle of Orleans.
This riverboat casino opened back in 1995 and is now host to a FanDuel sportsbook, 622 slot machines, and 11 table games. The Amelia Belle also offers two dining experiences for players: the Cajun Buffet and the Bayou Cafe.
The Hollywood Casino Aurora opened in 1993 as Hollywood Casino Corp.’s first riverboat casino. Spanning an impressive 53,000 square feet, this popular destination has over 1,000 slot machines and video poker machines, along with 26 table games.
This 24/7 casino is also home to a live poker room, featuring Texas Hold’em games, the Bad Beat Jackpot, and more.
The Treasure Chest Casino, a well-known riverboat casino in Kenner, New Orleans, first set sail in 1994. But it wasn’t just the gaming that made it special—Treasure Chest also featured luxurious dining options, buffets, and an extensive drinks menu.
After 30 years, the Treasure Chest retired its riverboat operations and embarked on an exciting new chapter. In its place, a brand-new land-based casino—double the size of its predecessor—opened under the same name, ensuring the Treasure Chest legacy lives on!