riverboat gambling florida

A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

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Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.” To: “Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions like 1xbet India online casino, are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

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Jacksonville Casino Cruise

The Jacks or Better Casino Boat offers casino cruises from Jacksonville. It leaves from historic Mayport on day cruises.

Games available on casino cruises include 181 slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and more. There's a sports book too. Food and drinks are available onboard. Enjoy separate smoking and non-smoking decks.

There is also a casino on Carnival cruises from Jacksonville . Their short cruises out of this port are affordable and gambling is a popular activity on the ship.

Casinos in Florida

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she's our gambling tech expert . Jane's also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Gambling in Florida is the last thing you would want to miss out. ... The Sunshine state apart from the scenic beauty, hosts some of the best land based casinos and cruise ship casinos. Florida hosts 88 casinos altogether including 11 Indian casinos offering diverse culture. Florida casinos offer everything starting from roulette to dog track gambling in its casino boats, gaming machines at pari-mutuels and Indian casinos. A whopping 26,871 slots and gaming machines offer relentless fun while gambling. Here’s everything you need to know about Florida casinos.

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• Need more info? FAQ & About FL

Florida Casino Map - List of Gambling Locations

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The Best Casino in Florida

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The Biggest Casinos in Florida

Are There Indian Casinos in Florida?

Here are the 3 most visited Indian casinos in Florida

Racinos are basically an amalgamation of race tracks and casinos, where you can bet for money and prizes. Florida casinos offer 2 racinos with different games such as slots, roulette, blackjack and other gambling games. FL racinos namely Gulfstream Park & Isle Casino Pompano offer dog tracks, roulette and diverse gambling choices. Native Seminole tribe runs the Indian racino activities in Florida.

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in Florida?

Riverboat or Cruise ship casinos, as the name suggests, are casinos built on riverboat or cruise ships docked or floating on water, mostly in the United States along the Mississippi river or the Gulf coast.

Gambling in Florida is more intensified with the presence of Cruise ship or riverboat casinos. Since 2003, state laws were amended to help these casinos grow more as they generate splendid revenues. Cruise ship casinos offer all types of gambling such as Roulette, Holdem Poker, Blackjack, Poker tournaments, slot machines etc. and comes with perks such as loyalty programs, reward points. Make sure to check the full list of FL cruise ship or riverboat casinos from the list.

Full Florida Casino List

Here’s our comprehensive list of all the land based casinos in Florida by city. Make sure you visit more than one, as they all have a unique and interesting ambience, with all the games you are looking for available.

Expected New Casinos

The Native Seminole tribe announced the expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino back in 2016. The new $1.5 billion 14-story guitar shaped casino was proposed to be up and running by October, 2019. Walt Disney is planning to reopen its Walt Disney Hotel & Casino Resort by the next month. This could make Florida a gambling hotspot!

Gambling in Florida

Florida is a gambler’s paradise in all true sense. 88 casinos offer a lot of distinct gaming options, great dining, fantastic culture and thrills of entertainment. The Sunshine State’s gambling scene is diverse and proactive for all gamblers. Your appetite for more wins and thrills won’t end soon!

Casino Games in Florida

Florida casinos can never let you feel bored with the wide array of games it boasts of. The state joined a few others in legalizing sports betting, adding to the existing long list of games at the disposal of thrill seeking gamblers.

• Starry Night
• Wonder Woman Wild
• The Walking Dead
• Jurassic Park
• Dragon Link
• Dancing Drums
• Lightning Link
• Star Watch Magma
• Wonder Woman Golden Lasso
• 26871+ Slots
• Types: Traditional, video reel, Progressive, Wild Play, Multiple Payline Machines, Pari-mutuels, and much more
• Slot providers such as: Konami, IGT, Bally, Aristocrat Technologies and Double Down Interactive LLC
• 3 Card Poker
• Caribbean Stud Poker
• Texas Hold'Em
• Let It Ride
• Pai Gow Poker

Additional Details 20+ poker rooms with the popular WPT Poker Showdown at Seminole Hard Rock Bet held annually

• Limit Hold'Em
• Fortune Pai Gow Poker
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• Pot Limit Omaha
• 7 Card Stud Hi-Lo
• Mixed Games

Additional Details More than 25 Poker cash tournaments are featured in Florida including games at Seminole Hard Rock, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville and many more.

• Double Zero Roulette
• Single Zero Roulette
• American Roulette

Additional Details Seminole Casinos are the most popular casinos for roulette lovers.

• Double Deck Blackjack
• Blackjack Switch
• Mega Millions
• Jackpot Triple Play

Additional Details State lottery bets can go as high as $500.000!

• Video Poker
• Mini Baccarat
• Electronic Craps
• Electronic Roulette
• Electronic Blackjack
• Boxing & MMA

Additional Details Designated places where you can place bets are MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline and many more. It doesn’t have a specific sportsbook app.

Gambling Legal Situation in Florida

Taxation of winnings.

If your winning amounts are more than the threshold limits, the casino will take away 25% out to pay the IRS on your behalf. However, you should still fill out the W2-G IRS form and give your social security number to report your winnings to the IRS for federal taxes. For more info on the federal tax, check out our homepage for more info.

Taxation of winnings in Florida are simple and straightforward. The simplest way to see it is as follows.

Florida Gambling Laws

Florida gambling laws allow for a vast number of gambling forms. The FL state laws for gaming are clear and comprehensive to distinguish between illegal and legal forms of gambling. You can learn more about the topic from our dedicated gambling laws section .

FL law defines gambling as playing or engaging in any types of card game or game of chance at any place or device for winning money or of anything having greater value

This law holds punishable as a third degree felony if any person runs or keeps a property or home as a gambling spot for money or other higher value stakes.

FL laws clearly state that indulging in any game of chance or lotto, keno, roulette or Faro is punishable as a felony of second degree.

Gambling in Florida dates back to more than 95 years. Florida’s stance towards gambling are unique but at the same time comprehensive and pretty messy. Even the most astute law observers fail at times to understand it. Read some of the most important histories related to FL gambling laws.

1800s Henry Flagler, a known name in the Casino industry first built an illegal casino dedicated to high stake rollers beside St. Augustine church.

1931 Horse and dog race betting was legalized. Later in 1932 Pari-Mutuel betting was legalized to generate more revenues.

1979 High stakes bingo was opened by Seminole tribe. Despite many rigorous attempts to close it, Seminole tribe won the appeal at US courts of Justice. It was again legalized in 1986 by Florida voters.

1986 Florida lottery was legalized by Florida voters with a margin of two to one and the bill was passed with the condition that the revenue would go towards education.

2010 Live poker venues were introduced in Florida and max bet amount was reduced to $2. In 2013, online gambling was banned so to discourage people from gambling.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

Although no timeframe is set for this, but sports betting and online gambling will probably be legalized in Florida. The legislators have been constantly trying to push its legalization and it is believed the legalization of sports betting alone can bring in 20% more to what it is now. In the coming years, Floridian lawmakers could relax the taxes, laws and legalize both sports betting and online casino gambling in FL.

Florida Casino Resorts and Trips

Casino resorts are casinos located near or inside a hotel for temporary lodging and food with other amenities. The main difference with conventional resorts is that you can gamble and stay at the same time. Visit Casino Resorts section to check out the list.

Casino Resorts

If you're looking to visit a casino resort you can check our list below for recommendations.

Casino Trips

There are many casino trips offered in Florida by Seminole Casinos, Miccosukee and other big casinos but currently no casino trips in Florida due to current Covid-19 circumstances.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide only accurate and up-to-date information, please be aware that casinos.us shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the offer packages or other details listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the florida casino taxes goes to education, how do i ban myself from casinos in florida, do florida casinos allow guns, about florida.

The state of Florida is located in the southeastern part of United States bordered with Atlantic Ocean on one side and Gulf of Mexico on the other. The Sunshine state is famous for its sunshine beaches, oceans, scenic beauties and jaw dropping arts. The city of Miami showcases fantastic Latin-American culture with notable attractions. Here’s a few fun facts about OR.

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Florida Casino Boats You Must Gamble At

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Gambling ships in Florida have been a fixture of the gambling scene since the 1990s. As gambling laws prohibit land-based casinos aside from on tribal grounds, a Florida casino cruise makes sense for many gamblers.

Despite the popularity of casino cruises, Florida casino sites cater to a similar audience with a keen interest in high-quality gambling. While the thrill of winning big on a casino cruise in Florida is difficult to beat, there are steps you can take for a similar experience at home.

Are Casino Boats Legal in Florida?

According to Florida Gaming, gambling on ships in Florida is prohibited while the boat is in state waters. However, when the boat is outside of Florida’s jurisdiction and in international waters, the law does not apply 1 .

In short, Florida casino cruise companies do not allow customers to gamble before the vessel has exited state territory. Fortunately, the trip beyond Florida’s jurisdiction only takes a few nautical miles.

It’s a simple, yet effective way to workaround Florida’s gambling laws.

Tropical Breeze Casino

• Address : 7917 Bayview St, Port Richey, FL 34668
• Phone Number : (727) 848-3423
• Official Website

For a personalized and intimate experience, we suggest checking out the Tropical Breeze Casino. Sailing out of Port Richey, FL, this Florida casino cruise operates five days per week. The small gambling cruise boat does not sail on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Despite its small footprint, Tropical Breeze Casino has a lot to offer gamblers. With over 100 real money slots and video poker machines to choose from, there are enough games for everyone to play at Tropical Breeze Casino.

This quaint casino offers a variety of table games including:

• Let It Ride

Guests of the Tropical Breeze Casino can also dine on the ship. Food choices include hot and cold sandwiches, appetizers, and more.

Sailing on the Tropical Breeze Casino gets even better if you are with a group. This Florida casino boat offers discounts to groups of 15 or more. You will also be able to enjoy special discounts and amenities, including priority boarding.

Tropical Breeze Casino is also home to regular promotions and giveaways. Every sailing day typically has a special promotion to scoop up at Tropical Breeze Casino.

Tropical Breeze Casino Online Alternative – Wild Casino

Wild Casino builds on the Florida casino cruise experience and turns it up several notches. If you cannot make it to Port Richey and you still want to play casino games, give this highly-rated online casino a try next time.

Offering over 430 games based in a jungle-themed online casino, there is no shortage of gaming options to get gamblers busy. In addition to over 300 online slots , Wild Casino specializes in table casino gaming.

Currently, you can play up to 20 variations of online blackjack games at Wild Casino!

Tropical Breeze Casino is well-known for its action-packed calendar of promotions. Wild Casino has a similar blueprint, with daily giveaways and free tournaments.

Get started at Wild Casino with an exclusive match bonus of up to $5,000 in free play. Additionally, new deposits are eligible for up to 125 free spins on a minimum deposit of just $75.

Holland America Line

• Address : 2200 Eller Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
• Phone Number : +1 (877) 932-4259

If you are seeking a more traditional multi-day cruise line experience with a full list of amenities, Holland America Line is one of our top picks for gambling ships in Florida.

This cruise line has regularly scheduled trips that depart from Fort Lauderdale, FL, year-round. Your gaming options, trip length, and destination will vary depending on which cruise you book.

Regardless of your preference, we guarantee that the casinos on board offer great gambling games for everyone:

• Craps (Varies)
• Paradise Lotto

Our favorite feature of the Holland America Line casino is their poker and bingo games. Unavailable on many of the other Florida casino cruise boats, you can play Texas Hold’em and bingo cards on Holland America Line ships.

Dining options and other onboard amenities will also vary depending on which ship you travel on. Restaurants include casual to fine dining. All the casino boats on this Florida cruise liner have awesome suites and staterooms available to rest your head.

Holland America Line Online Alternative – Bovada

If you want the Holland America Line casino experience at home, you will need to play at an online betting site with real money bingo and real money poker games.

In addition to Bovada’s more than 300 traditional casino games like slots and table games, the poker room is always active with lucrative daily tournaments and cash games.

Furthermore, Bovada has seven bingo games to dive into for big cash rewards. Among traditional bingo, they offer specialty titles including Bingo Goal!, Go-Go Bingo, and Pesca Bingo.

Holland America Line offers comps and casino free play to certain gamblers who reach a certain threshold. At Bovada, you can play all the games in demo mode and grab a generous casino bonus just for signing up.

Currently, Bovada is offering new customers a whopping 100% match bonus of up to $3000. For cryptocurrency deposits, earn $1,250 in free credits on your first three deposits for a total of $3,750 in bonus cash!

Victory Casino Cruise

• Address : 180 Christopher Columbus Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
• Phone Numbe r: (855) 468-4286

The Victory Casino Cruise is a great option for gamblers seeking a more personalized gaming experience, similar to the Tropical Breeze Casino. There are two cruises conveniently scheduled per day for departures in the morning and evening.

This casino cruise departs from Cape Canaveral and sails out to the Atlantic Ocean daily. Victory Casino Cruise operates one of the largest selections of casino games that you will find on any cruise in the Sunshine State.

In addition to popular casino games such as slots and blackjack, the Victory Casino Cruise has a variety of fan favorites:

• EZ Baccarat
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Mississippi Stud
• Three Card Poker
• Sports Betting

Despite the absence of sports betting on many other Florida casino cruises, the Victory Casino Cruise has a full-service sportsbook onboard! Bet on your favorite teams while cruising around the Atlantic Ocean.

Victory Casino Cruise Online Alternative – BetUS

For the best Victory Casino Cruise experience in the palm of your hand, we recommend checking out sites that include online sportsbooks . Also, you will want a betting site that provides a wide range of casino games.

At BetUS , you can get the best of both sides of the coin. With a five-star sportsbook and casino, you can play all your favorite games from the Victory Casino Cruise online at BetUS. What’s more, BetUS provides bettors with a wide selection of superior sports betting odds.

Through the Victory Card loyalty program, you get access to a variety of free goodies and rewards aboard the Victory Casino Cruise. Additionally, new weekly giveaways are added to the calendar regularly.

The only requirement to gain access to free bonuses at BetUS is to register for an account and make a deposit. For a limited time, BetUS is serving up huge deposit bonuses in the online sportsbook and casino.

The sports betting bonus includes a 100% match bonus of up to $2,500 on your first three deposits. As an extra, BetUS will give all new customers a 25% casino bonus of up to $625. If you prefer casino gaming, choose the 200% casino match bonus for up to $5,000 of free play!

Carnival Cruise Casino

• Address : Multiple
• Phone Numbe r: 1-(800) 764-7419

As with the Holland America Line cruises, Carnival Cruise offers long excursions rather than day trips outside of Florida’s jurisdiction. The Carnival Cruise Casino has the most well-known gambling ships in Florida.

Since 1972, Carnival Cruise has been a mainstay of the Florida cruise industry. Dedicated to offering world-class entertainment, an exhilarating casino is included on most of their cruise ships.

Carnival Cruises depart from multiple cities in the Sunshine State, including Miami, Port Canaveral, and Tampa.

The casinos available on Carnival boats offer a diverse selection of games, such as:

Additionally, daily slot tournaments are common while setting sail on a Carnival Cruise. Through the Carnival Players Club, gamblers can start earning points to receive great benefits and comps.

There are a variety of cruise lengths, ranging from two days to over 10 days. Guests can enjoy a great selection of non-gambling amenities as well, including great restaurants and live entertainment .

Carnival Cruise Casino Online Alternative – DuckyLuck

While you are waiting for your Carnival Cruise, get started online with safe online casino games at DuckyLuck .

If you want the real in-person experience without setting foot on a Florida casino cruise, then play live dealer tables to win big in the virtual casino at DuckyLuck. As well as live blackjack, DuckyLuck has exciting tables with roulette , baccarat , and more.

Climb up the ranks from Lucky Duckling, Minted Mallard, Swanky Swan, and to the exclusive invite-only Golden Goose Club while earning daily free spins, cashback, and comp points in the DuckyBucks Rewards program.

Every new customer at DuckyLucky is eligible to claim a 500% match bonus of up to $2,500. Register today to get 150 free slot spins included in your bonus offer!

Which Florida Casino Boats Will You Gamble At?

Florida is home to some of the best gambling ships in the world. With each boat accommodating a variety of different tastes, there isn’t a wrong choice from our recommendations. Discover what suits your needs and then hit the open sea for exciting gambling action!

In the meantime, you can prepare for your casino cruise in Florida by playing on our top casino apps and betting sites.

1 Frequently Asked Questions | Florida Gaming. Retrieved From “https://flgaming.gov/faq/”

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Book Your Cruise Now

Check out the newest casino boat in central florida.

Central Florida offers lots to do and see, but if you are looking for an exciting adventure, we invite you to come check out Victory Casino Cruises’ casino boat in Central Florida today!

If you are looking for a true Vegas gaming experience, you no longer have to travel across the country, it is right here in Central Florida. With four different gaming decks to play on, you’ll play your favorite games while, enjoying great food, drinks and live music. Each deck provides something different where you’ll find Sports Betting, Slots, Texas Hold’Em, Black Jack, Roulette, Poker and so much more on each deck.

Our Casino boat in central Florida offers the flexibility of cruises the depart 7 days a week. Be sure to stop on by our water front Coral Ski Tiki Bar before you board for a tasty bite to eat from our buffet and a refreshing drink.

Reserve your spot aboard a Victory Casino Cruise Central, Florida’s best casino cruise.

Contact us today! Spots fill up fast, so make sure you book your reserve yours today. Contact us at 855-GO-VICTORY (855-468-4286).For more information about our casino boat in Central Florida and to make reservations to enjoy the best casino action in Central Florida.

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