There are many gambling dens located in the commonwealth, most on anchored river boats. The grandest of the Iowa gambling dens is the Meswaki Bingo Casino Hotel, an Indian gambling den in Tama, with 127,669 sq.ft. of gambling area, 1,500 slots, thirty table games, like chemin de fer, craps, roulette, and baccarat, and numerous styles of poker; also 3 dining rooms, bimonthly entertainment, and casino instructions. A further big American Indian gambling den is the Winna Vegas, with 45,000 sq.ft., 668 one armed bandits, and fourteen table games. Additionally, the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs never closes, with 38,500 square feet, 1,589 slots, 36 table games, and 4 dining rooms. There are many other dominant Iowa gambling halls, including Harrah’s Council Bluffs, with 28,250 square feet, 1,212 slot machines, and 39 table games.
A smaller Iowa gambling hall is the Diamond Jo, a riverboat gambling den in Dubuque, with 17,813 sq.ft., 776 one armed bandits, and 19 table games. The Catfish Bend Riverboat, in Fort Madison, with 13,000 sq.ft., 535 one armed bandits, and 14 table games. An additional Iowa river boat gambling den, The Isle of Capri, is open all hours, with 24,939 sq.ft., 1,100 slot machines, and 24 table games. The Mississippi Belle II, a 10,577 square foot river based casino in Clinton, has 506 one armed bandits, 14 table games, live shows, and Thursday 21 tournaments.
Iowa casinos present an exceptional amount of tax money to the commonwealth of Iowa, which has allowed the bankrolling of many state wide projects. Tourism has grown at an accelerated rate along with the request for services and an increase in employment. Iowa casinos have contributed to the expansion of the market, and the enthusiasm for gaming in Iowa is widespread.
