There are a number gambling halls located in the commonwealth, most on docked barges. The grandest of the Iowa casinos is the Meswaki Bingo Casino Hotel, an American Indian casino in Tama, with 127,669 sq.ft. of gaming area, 1,500 one armed bandits, 30 table games, such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, and several types of poker; also three restaurants, biweekly shows, and gaming lessons. Another large American Indian gambling hall is the Winna Vegas, with 45,000 sq.ft., 668 one armed bandits, and fourteen table games. Furthermore, the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs never closes, with 38,500 sq.ft., 1,589 slots, 36 table games, and 4 dining rooms. There are numerous other popular Iowa gambling dens, which includes Harrah’s Council Bluffs, with 28,250 sq.ft., 1,212 slot machines, and 39 table games.
A tinier Iowa casino is the Diamond Jo, a river boat 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 square feet, 535 slots, and 14 table games. Another Iowa river boat casino, The Isle of Capri, is open 24 hours, with 24,939 sq.ft., 1,100 slot machines, and 24 table games. The Mississippi Belle II, a 10,577 sq.ft. riverboat gambling den in Clinton, has 506 one armed bandits, 14 table games, live entertainment, and Thursday vingt-et-un tournaments.
Iowa casinos present an excellent amount of tax money to the government of Iowa, which has enabled the budgeting of many commonwealth wide projects. Vacationers have increased at an accelerated percentage accompanied with the demand for services and a gain in employment. Iowa gambling halls have been helpful to the growth of the economy, and the enthusiasm for wagering in Iowa is across the board.
