There are many casinos in the state, most on docked barges. The largest of the Iowa gambling dens is the Meswaki Bingo Casino Hotel, an Indian gambling den in Tama, with 127,669 sq.ft. of casino room, 1,500 one armed bandits, 30 table games, like 21, craps, roulette, and baccarat, and numerous styles of poker; including three dining rooms, monthly shows, and betting instructions. Another large American Indian casino is the Winna Vegas, with 45,000 square feet, 668 slots, and 14 table games. Also, the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs never closes, with 38,500 sq.ft., 1,589 slot machines, 36 table games, and four restaurants. There are many other popular Iowa gambling dens, which includes Harrah’s Council Bluffs, with 28,250 square feet, 1,212 slots, and 39 table games.
A smaller Iowa gambling den is the Diamond Jo, a riverboat gambling hall in Dubuque, with 17,813 square feet, 776 slot machines, and 19 table games. The Catfish Bend river boat, in Fort Madison, with 13,000 square feet, 535 one armed bandits, and 14 table games. One more Iowa river based casino, The Isle of Capri, is open all day and night, with 24,939 square feet, 1,100 slot machines, and 24 table games. The Mississippi Belle II, a 10,577 sq.ft. paddle wheel boat casino in Clinton, has 506 slot machines, 14 table games, live shows, and Thursday vingt-et-un tournaments.
Iowa casinos provide an excellent deal of tax revenue to the state government of Iowa, which has permitted the bankrolling of a lot of state wide projects. Tourism has grown at a rapid percentage along with the requirement for services and an increase in employment. Iowa gambling dens have been helpful to the growth of the economy, and the excitement for gaming in Iowa is widespread.
