In Indiana, boat casinos can operate on the Ohio River, the Indiana Harbor, and the Patoka Lake Reservoir. Riverboat casinos in Illinois are regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board. The casinos must be located at least 300 feet from the shore and be accessible to the public by land or water. Here, riverboat casinos are allowed on the Mississippi River, the Illinois River, and the Des Plaines River.

Let’s take a closer look at each of them: Illinois State-by-State Riverboat Gambling RegulationsĪs of 2023, it’s legal to run and visit a riverboat casino in six states. Land-based casinos usually undergo more frequent inspections and stricter enforcement of regulations compared to riverboat casinos. This is because land-based casinos are permanent structures, while riverboat casinos are considered temporary structures Land-based casinos are typically required to meet more stringent building codes than riverboat casinos. In some cases, land-based casinos may be subject to higher tax rates than riverboat casinos The taxation of land-based casinos and riverboat casinos can vary depending on the state. Riverboat casinos, in turn, are more flexible when it comes to location, as they can be moored on rivers that flow through various areas For instance, land-based casinos might not be allowed to operate in certain areas, such as residential neighborhoods or near schools. There are usually fewer restrictions on riverboat casino locations than on those of the brick-and-mortar venues. For instance, land-based casinos may be required to undergo a more rigorous background check and financial audit process compared to riverboat casinos Land-based casinos typically have more stringent licensing requirements than riverboat casinos.

While sharing similarities with land-based casinos, riverboat casinos face additional regulations due to their unique setting, such as: These regulations typically address aspects such as gambling activities allowed, revenue sharing with the state, security measures, responsible gambling practices, and environmental considerations. They offer a wide variety of gambling activities just like land-based casinos, including slots, table games, and poker.Įach state with legal riverboat gambling has its own regulatory body responsible for licensing and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations. Gambling boats are essentially floating casinos operating on designated waterways. Today, only six states still allow this form of gambling: Historically, casino boats were allowed in many states, mostly those with access to the Mississippi River.

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