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Iowa Casino Information & Gambling Guide

by: World Casino Directory, Friday Feb 17th, 2012

Introduction to Iowa. If you are coming to Iowa on any of your casino vacations or gambling road trips, you will find Iowa has casinos, horse tracks and racinos.

Ameristar Casino Hotel - Council Bluffs is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Iowa casino hotels

If you wish to stay at some nice casino hotels in Iowa, please click this link: Iowa casino hotels, we actually have 555 Iowa hotels you can book directly from World Casino Directory. Click here to see a list of all Iowa hotels available.

While you're browsing, be sure to check out our comprehensive map of Iowa casinos. Directly to the casino list.

Gambling in Iowa

The state of Iowa has been at the forefront of the gambling industry for quite some time now. Iowa may not be comparable to other places known for gambling, such as Nevada, and Monte Carlo, but they are definitely a pioneer state when it comes to legalized gaming.

Iowa introduces riverboat gambling to a nation!

In 1989 The state of Iowa passed the first riverboat casino legislation in the nation. This bill allowed Riverboat gambling within the state of Iowa along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. In 1990 The Dubuque Racing Association was first applicant approved to operate a river gambling boat in the state of Iowa. The Dubuque Casino Belle made her maiden voyage on April 1st 1991. This turned out to be quite profitable for both the state and for The Dubuque Racing Association, which paid in financed Ice Harbor improvement to the tune of $4,000,000.

Slots and Table Games at the track?

Iowa didn’t stop here! More recently Iowa’s state legislature approved the inclusion of table games and slot machines in Pari-Mutuel l facilities. Enter, Racino’s. In December of 2004 Prairie Meadows Race Track located in Altoona, Iowa was the first pari-mutuel facility in the nation to introduce slot machines in addition to track betting, several other states have since followed Iowa’s example and introduced modern racinos of their own.

Gambling Revenue offers an increase to local economies

It can be said that the state of Iowa realizes the value of recreational gaming as a substantial source of income . This is apparent due to the recent appearance of new casinos throughout the state. The state of Iowa has found relief for faltering local economies via legalized gaming, licensing fees for both casinos and regulated activities as well as individual casino employees.

In addition to the increase in tax revenue created by the construction of new gambling venues in the state, a new casino brings many other positive changes with it, such as new jobs in and surrounding the casino. An increase in tourism is another added benefit to these newer casinos such as the Wild Rose Casino opened in May of 2006. The increase in tourism obviously creates a chain effect, with more jobs opening in the hospitality industry, from travel agents, to hotel staff etc. Trickling down into the normal local economy as tourists visit local coffee shops, gas stations, conivience stores and more.

Iowa Lottery

In addition to the tracks, new and upcoming casino gaming, and bingo, Iowa like many other states also offers a state lottery program to boost revenue via a state ran lottery, games include; Powerball, Hot Lotto, the $100,000 Cash Game, Pick 3 and Pick 4, Scratch Offs, and Pull Tabs. Winning Lottery Numbers? Right here: Iowa Lottery Results.