Back in the early 1990’s Iowa, the plain state almost smack dab in the middle of the United States, (and future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk), became one of the first states to approve measure to allow casinos on riverboats. This was a big step for the casino and gambling industry. When the United States and gambling were mentioned in the same breath it usually meant Las Vegas, Reno, or Atlantic City. From time to time it could mean one of the regional casinos run by Native American tribes, but during this time they were small, smoke filled casinos which hosted little more than slots machines, keno, and possibly a sports book.
With the riverboat casinos, the regional gaming market to a big leap forward. Riverboat casinos are casinos that are basically a on a riverboat by name only. It harkens back to the old days of the mid to late 1800’s when boats would steam up and down America’s great rivers like the Mississippi and the Missouri. In order to host a casino these new riverboats basically had to keep their gambling to a structure that was technically floating on the water. However, smart gambling entrepreneurs quickly realized that They could build hotels, restaurants, and convention spaces around these casinos and increase their draw. (Consequently the Native American casino operators found the same thing, and thus the boom of the regional casino market.) Now riverboat casinos can be found in states like Louisiana, Missouri, and Iowa.
Iowa which already hosts seventeen riverboat casinos and two Native American operated casinos now is looking at adding four more. Governor Chet Culver is wants Iowa’s gaming regulators to approve licenses in four different counties. He is citing jobs, revenue and economic stimulation for those counties. “It’s important that Iowans know that I want to bring these jobs to Lyon, Webster, Wapello and Tama counties,” he stated. He also confirmed that voters in the respective counties approved of the measures that would allow the expansion of gambling. When one thinks of Iowa they think of farms, and maybe Captain Kirk (if they’re nerdy enough). Maybe they should think of a casino resort vacation.
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