Bally's Casino is designed in a rustic western theme, reminiscent of the 1800's. The next regular meeting of the Mississippi Gaming Commission will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 beginning at 9:00 a.m. At the Jackson Office of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, 620 North Street, Suite 200, Jackson, MS 39202. The first session will.
- Gambling Casinos In Mississippi
- Casinos Illinois Mississippi River
- Do Mississippi River Cruises Have Casinos
Riverboat casinos are a popular form of entertainment all along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. As this mighty river flows across many different state lines, you can find these historic paddleboat gaming hubs in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The Mississippi River was the center of economic activity in the South in the 19th century. Long before the days of online poker, this part of the world was known for the paddle steamers that used to cruise up and down this mighty river. If you haven't visited this part of the States, here is a brief introduction to the area, and riverboat gambling, which is a popular activity that now takes place on its banks.
A quick history of riverboat gambling
To see where riverboat casinos started, we have to go back to the 1800s, when the Mississippi Valley was the beating heart of the American economy. Back then, the Great River was a watery freeway, connecting traders and communities by river transports that could move faster and haul more load than wagons and tired old mules.
Games of chance were a great way to relieve the boredom of a riverboat commute for passengers and wealthy merchants alike, and the mix of money and entertainment soon made gambling the activity of choice on board the old flatboats.
Poker — one of today's favorite casino games — was so popular with the French colonists who worked as crew members on Mississippi riverboats that it spread to all corners of the country. Riverboats were also a great place to have a party with music and dance added to the mix. Old Blue was the merriest place in America.
Families, trade, and the great American novel flourished thanks to the big steam-propelled paddlewheel boats. Then came the Doubleheader, the Kettle, the Dinky, and the Bobtail Haul – steam locomotives that made riverboats seem slow and old-fashioned by comparison.
Soon Old Blue became The Big Muddy, and the river's steamboats were no more than a nod to the past.
Legalization of riverboat gambling
Fast forward to April 1, 1991. Boats once again welcomed gamblers aboard after Iowa became the first state to legalize riverboat gambling. Other states with land on the Mississippi and its tributaries – Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri – did the same. Music, entertainment, old card favorites, and newcasino games like slot machines, made the Old Blue merry again.
Impact of Hurricane Katrina and changing legislation
The year 2005 was not a good one for the Mississippi River and surrounding communities. Most riverboat casinos were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and many Gulf Coast states changed their legislation. This forced riverboat casinos to operate from land only. Almost all Gulf Coast riverboat casinos have been rebuilt since, but most remain dockside.
Riverboat gambling regulations
It wasn't until 1904 that the first riverboat casino, called the City of Traverse, set sail on Lake Michigan. At this time, gambling had started to take shape as an organized commercial operation. Due to The Big Muddy bordering a number of states, it was effectively a juridical grey area. This made gambling on the Great Mississippi a relatively safe bet from a legal point of view.
Then, in 1951, Senator Lyndon Johnson had a hand in drafting the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act. This made transportation of gambling devices across state lines a crime unless it was allowed in the place you were headed to. It also made it possible for certain types of river vessels and some riverside destinations to continue plying their trade.
Riverboat gambling is now legal in six states with Iowa leading the way in 1989. Illinois and Louisiana followed in 1991. Mississippi, Indiana, and Missouri legalized the activity in 1993.
These days, if you want to gamble on board a vessel in waters bordering any of the six states, you'll need to be 21 years of age or older. Be sure to check out the gambling legislation in the state you'll be playing in. For example, if you win more than $1,200 at a riverboat casino in Iowa, you must pay over 5 percent in taxes. You can get some of this money back if you file a state income tax return. In Illinois, 15 percent of winnings must go to the state and 5 percent to the local community.
Interesting facts about riverboat casinos
The American Empress, a 360-foot diesel-powered paddle-wheeler riverboat is the largest overnight riverboat west of the Mississippi River. This cruise boat also contains an interesting collection of artifacts and artwork from Native Alaska, Russia, the Gold Rush, and the sternwheeler era (in and around Portland, Oregon).
Iowa was the first state to legalize these riverboats in 1989, followed by Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas.
Historians believe that gambling cheats were sometimes hung by vigilantes who took the law into their own hands. One famous example happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1835 when five gamblers were lynched after they were found to be cheating.
When riverboat gambling was legalized in the early 1990s, all Louisiana vessels had to look like 19th-century paddlewheel boats. In Indiana, the law required riverboat gaming houses to be at least 150 feet long and able to accommodate 500 passengers or more.
In most states, players were only allowed to gamble while the vessel was in motion. However, this changed when boats couldn't leave the shore due to bad weather or for other safety reasons. Now, of course, the opposite is true. Most states require riverboat casinos to stay dockside.
By 2018, 63 riverboat casinos were operating across six states. More than a sideline, these gaming houses account for the entire commercial casino operation in the states of Illinois and Missouri. By the end of 2018, gambling revenue from boats in Illinois totaled $382.5 million in state tax and $152.1 million in Missouri.
Where to find a riverboat casino
Riverboat casinos are a nostalgic part of American history, and so far no steam locomotive or hurricane has been able to wipe them out. Today, these grand old dames can still be found in cities along the Mississippi. They're popular destinations for tourists and recreational gamblers who want to experience casino games in a unique setting. Here are some of our favorites in all six of the states where this practice has been legalized.
Illinois
The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois
Located on the Fox River, the Grand Victoria has four restaurants, and more than a thousand slots and video poker machines along with the usual table game offerings. The casino's architecture and furnishings capture the beauty and romanticism of the past, but with all the benefits of modern amenities thrown in. The casino is also involved in outreach programs in the community.
Iowa
Casino Queen Marquette in Marquette, Iowa
The Casino Queen is one of the smaller options on this list, but this means more personalized service, which some may prefer. Across the river from the Mid-Western town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the Queen Marquette has only eight tables but over 566 slot machines. Table games include blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and others.
Louisiana
Treasure Chest Casino – Kenner, Louisiana
Located in Kenner, which is just outside New Orleans, this lakeside casino on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain captures the riverboat of yesteryear with interiors that are both classic and lavish. There's plenty to choose from with 36 table games and slot machines. Two dining areas offer a variety of cuisine, including boiled crawfish and steamed crabs' legs. For entertainment, visit the Treasure Chests Caribbean Showroom.
Amelia Belle – Amelia, Louisiana
This gorgeous docked riverboat in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway offers a choice of classic casino games, from three-card poker and Mississippi Stud to Ultimate Texas Hold'em and slot machines. You'll want to save some room for their legendary all-you-can-eat Cajun Buffet, which could include well-known dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and dirty rice.
Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge – Louisiana
This riverboat is a trip to Hollywood and Las Vegas rolled into one. You have a choice of 1,100 slot machines and a variety of table games at your fingertips. There are several dining options on board, including The Celebrity Grill, Epic Buffet, the Take Two Deli, and more. If that's not enough there is also the Movie Tavern, where you can kick back and watch a film, or play a round at the nearby 'links-style' golf course called the Copper Mill.
Mississippi
Ameristar Casino, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Right on the banks of the famed Mississippi, the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg has a poker room, a café and restaurant, and a hotel. There are also 30 table games, over 1400 slot machines, and even sports betting kiosks, so there's entertainment for everyone! The building is designed to have the look and feel of a traditional paddle steamer too, which will take you right back to the heyday of shipping along The Big Muddy.
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ECONOMIC EFFECT
Businesses in the Philadelphia area may benefit from the presence of the Pearl River Resort and Casino, but no one benefits more from the casino than the Choctaw Tribe who reside on the reservation itself. With this benefit, local businesses are regulated under the tribe's jurisdiction, causing friction.
Leverette Brown, the lead surveillance technician at the Pearl River Resort, has been working for the casino since it opened in July 1994.
'With the casinos pulling in that many people,' Brown said, 'it's done things like raise property value and bring in business.'
According to Brown, prior to the casino coming to Philadelphia in 1994, the town suffered economic hardships.
'The casinos have helped us weather the financial difficulties,' Brown said.
According to a study conducted by Mississippi State University (MSU) in October 2002, the Pearl River Resort is responsible for over 14,000 permanent jobs in Mississippi, paying over $350 million in payroll annually.
The Choctaw tribe, who owns the casino and resort located on their reservation, has provided enough jobs for everyone that lives within their reservation, along with many jobs for those outside the reservation.
Iowa was the first state to legalize these riverboats in 1989, followed by Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas.
Historians believe that gambling cheats were sometimes hung by vigilantes who took the law into their own hands. One famous example happened in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1835 when five gamblers were lynched after they were found to be cheating.
When riverboat gambling was legalized in the early 1990s, all Louisiana vessels had to look like 19th-century paddlewheel boats. In Indiana, the law required riverboat gaming houses to be at least 150 feet long and able to accommodate 500 passengers or more.
In most states, players were only allowed to gamble while the vessel was in motion. However, this changed when boats couldn't leave the shore due to bad weather or for other safety reasons. Now, of course, the opposite is true. Most states require riverboat casinos to stay dockside.
By 2018, 63 riverboat casinos were operating across six states. More than a sideline, these gaming houses account for the entire commercial casino operation in the states of Illinois and Missouri. By the end of 2018, gambling revenue from boats in Illinois totaled $382.5 million in state tax and $152.1 million in Missouri.
Where to find a riverboat casino
Riverboat casinos are a nostalgic part of American history, and so far no steam locomotive or hurricane has been able to wipe them out. Today, these grand old dames can still be found in cities along the Mississippi. They're popular destinations for tourists and recreational gamblers who want to experience casino games in a unique setting. Here are some of our favorites in all six of the states where this practice has been legalized.
Illinois
The Grand Victoria Casino – Elgin, Illinois
Located on the Fox River, the Grand Victoria has four restaurants, and more than a thousand slots and video poker machines along with the usual table game offerings. The casino's architecture and furnishings capture the beauty and romanticism of the past, but with all the benefits of modern amenities thrown in. The casino is also involved in outreach programs in the community.
Iowa
Casino Queen Marquette in Marquette, Iowa
The Casino Queen is one of the smaller options on this list, but this means more personalized service, which some may prefer. Across the river from the Mid-Western town of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the Queen Marquette has only eight tables but over 566 slot machines. Table games include blackjack, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and others.
Louisiana
Treasure Chest Casino – Kenner, Louisiana
Located in Kenner, which is just outside New Orleans, this lakeside casino on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain captures the riverboat of yesteryear with interiors that are both classic and lavish. There's plenty to choose from with 36 table games and slot machines. Two dining areas offer a variety of cuisine, including boiled crawfish and steamed crabs' legs. For entertainment, visit the Treasure Chests Caribbean Showroom.
Amelia Belle – Amelia, Louisiana
This gorgeous docked riverboat in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway offers a choice of classic casino games, from three-card poker and Mississippi Stud to Ultimate Texas Hold'em and slot machines. You'll want to save some room for their legendary all-you-can-eat Cajun Buffet, which could include well-known dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and dirty rice.
Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge – Louisiana
This riverboat is a trip to Hollywood and Las Vegas rolled into one. You have a choice of 1,100 slot machines and a variety of table games at your fingertips. There are several dining options on board, including The Celebrity Grill, Epic Buffet, the Take Two Deli, and more. If that's not enough there is also the Movie Tavern, where you can kick back and watch a film, or play a round at the nearby 'links-style' golf course called the Copper Mill.
Mississippi
Ameristar Casino, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Right on the banks of the famed Mississippi, the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg has a poker room, a café and restaurant, and a hotel. There are also 30 table games, over 1400 slot machines, and even sports betting kiosks, so there's entertainment for everyone! The building is designed to have the look and feel of a traditional paddle steamer too, which will take you right back to the heyday of shipping along The Big Muddy.
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ECONOMIC EFFECT
Businesses in the Philadelphia area may benefit from the presence of the Pearl River Resort and Casino, but no one benefits more from the casino than the Choctaw Tribe who reside on the reservation itself. With this benefit, local businesses are regulated under the tribe's jurisdiction, causing friction.
Leverette Brown, the lead surveillance technician at the Pearl River Resort, has been working for the casino since it opened in July 1994.
'With the casinos pulling in that many people,' Brown said, 'it's done things like raise property value and bring in business.'
According to Brown, prior to the casino coming to Philadelphia in 1994, the town suffered economic hardships.
'The casinos have helped us weather the financial difficulties,' Brown said.
According to a study conducted by Mississippi State University (MSU) in October 2002, the Pearl River Resort is responsible for over 14,000 permanent jobs in Mississippi, paying over $350 million in payroll annually.
The Choctaw tribe, who owns the casino and resort located on their reservation, has provided enough jobs for everyone that lives within their reservation, along with many jobs for those outside the reservation.
Local businesses that have been around before the casino's opening have been able to keep their doors open due to the influx of tourism the casino has brought into Philadelphia, Miss. For instance, the local Walmart upgraded to a Super Walmart due to the increase of tourism, as well as permanent jobs. Along with local businesses thriving, new business chains have rooted themselves in the area to benefit from the local economy.
One business, in particular, while not located on the reservation, benefits from the reservation greatly. The McDonald's of Philadelphia, located three miles from the Pearl River Resort is not under the jurisdiction of the tribe.
'We get a lot of business from the casino,' said Victor Isaac, general manager of the McDonald's located in Philadelphia. 'They bring in a lot of tourists which gives us a lot of business.'
Along with the business the casino brings McDonalds, the company decided to go into business with the Choctaws. According to an article written by John Porretto, 'Other recent additions to Tribal enterprises have been the Choctaw Construction Enterprise, which produces plastic cutlery by injection molding for McDonald's restaurant franchises in the eastern U.S.' Jets wins over under 2019 40k.
However, not all of the businesses have those same benefits. The Dollar General, located on the Choctaw property, is under the jurisdiction of the tribe.
Recently, the Dollar General is facing legal charges, and since they are located on the reservation, the case is seen through the Choctaw courts.
According to the Petition of Writ of Certiorari in the Supreme Court case of Dollar General Corporation vs. the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the decision is whether the tribe has jurisdiction over the employees of Dollar General. The Choctaw Indians were ruled in favor of, and the Dollar General has taken the case to the Supreme Court.
The appeal is still being considered in the Supreme Court as to whether the tribe has authority over the Dollar General store. The Dollar General manager in Choctaw refused to comment on the allegations.
Since the Choctaw reservation is considered a 'sovereign nation,' the case first went through the Choctaw court system, which varies from a normal court system setting.
Being a 'sovereign nation' also applies to taxes. The Choctaw reservation is tax exempt, and does not pay taxes to the Mississippi government, but rather to their own government.
According to Oxford Tax Assessor, Mike Lewis, the tribe is essentially a state within a state.
'The Choctaws have their own government, their own school system, their own healthcare,' Lewis said. 'They don't use the Mississippi government, so they don't pay the government.'
According to the study by MSU, the resort accrues over $18 million in tax revenue annually.
Since the Choctaws have their own government, the money they have in taxes goes right back into their pockets. It's a continuous cycle that benefits the tribe. The money they make goes back to helping their people, and the taxes they collect from their people, also goes back to helping their people.
'They have their own mill rate, so they set how much money they need.' Lewis said. 'They collect money from all the houses, cars and mobile homes that live on their land.'
The Choctaw tribe is governmental and sovereign, but they also work within their own system, which some businesses see as unfair.
In the article written by Porretto, the previous Choctaw chief, Phillip Martin, recognizes the opposition with the tribe's sovereignty.
'Some people complain that we don't pay taxes, but they fail to acknowledge that we do not cost the state anything, either.' Martin said. 'We are a huge financial benefit for Mississippi, and we don't ask for anything in return.'
Starting from a life of unemployment and poverty, the Choctaw Tribe worked their way into creating a prosperous life for themselves and those in need around them.
(Laura Pace, Jordan Mckeever, Amanda Wilson)
CHOCTAW HISTORY
The Choctaw Indian Reservation sits across 10 counties in east Mississippi on 35,000 acres of land. Living amongst eight reservation communities, consisting of Bogue Chitto, Bogue Homa, Conehatta, Crystal Ridge, Pearl River, Red Water, Standing Pine and Tucker, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians consists of nearly 10,000 members.
During the 16th century, the Choctaw Indians were settled in the south-eastern region of the United States, which would later become Mississippi. However, following the defeat of the French in the French and Indian war, the land was taken and they were forced to resettle onto new land.
As the United States began growing, the federal government demanded more land resulting in the Choctaws having to negotiate over their land.
President Thomas Jefferson, implemented a military strategy forcing the government to seize all land bordering the Mississippi River for defensive purposes against France, Spain, and England.
In 1801, the Treaty of Fort Adams was signed in which the Choctaws surrendered 2,641,920 acres of land. This was the first of nine treaties between the United States and the Choctaws.
By 1830, more than 23 million acres were surrendered to the United States. Then in 1830, the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek marked the final cession of and outlined the terms of Choctaw removal to the west. They became the first American Indian Tribe to be removed from their land by the government and was forced to relocate to what is now Oklahoma.
When the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was signed, there were over 19,000 Choctaws in Mississippi. Between 1831 and 1833, almost 13,000 Choctaws were removed to the West. Members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are descendants of Choctaw individuals who refused to leave and relocate to Oklahoma.
Mecca bingo reverse withdrawal calculator. Nevertheless, life has since changed over the past 150 years on the reservation. On July 1, 1994, the Pearl River Casino Resort opened its doors. Bringing in an average of $100 million a year, the casino has become a cash cow for the reservation.
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Leverette Brown, the lead surveillance technician at the Pearl River Resort said, 'When they first started they had a management group that opened itup for them, then they wound up buying out their own contract and operating it themselves.'
Brown is the lead technician for the casino properties and has been with them for 20 years.
'Employees were worried but it's been a fairly smooth transition,' Brown said.
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Brown also said working with the Choctaws has been just as smooth.
'Whatever tribal policies are in place for the government, are in place for the casino entities as well,' Brown said. 'They are a pretty easy partner to work with.'
For the Choctaw tribe, they have worked hard for their position.
According to Misty Dreifuss, Public Information Specialist for the Choctaw tribe, the tribe was not federally recognized until 1945. Before that, the tribe suffered severe financial difficulties.
'Chief Phillip Martin brought a lot of industries to the reservation over the years,' Dreifuss said, 'which brought us out of poverty.'
Dreifuss, who is a member of the Choctaw tribe as well, said that the tribe has almost at 10,000 members.
The industries and manufacturing were brought to the reservation in the 90s, and at that time there were only four manufacturing jobs.
According to Kay Rowell, the Executive Director of Tourism for Neshoba County, between manufacturing jobs and the casino itself, Pearl River Resort is one of the biggest employers in the county.
'Pearl River brought more jobs to our community,' Rowell said, 'therefore the economy went up and it was better for our people.'
The history of the Choctaws has changed drastically over the years. They have created a prosperous life for their community and their people.
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(Laura Pace, Jordan Mckeever, Amanda Wilson)
