Author: Wayne P Stacey

If you’ve travelled to different countries for entertainment or as a hobby, then you’re probably aware of the existence of casinos on the water.

“Why are casinos on water? “ It is a common question among 90% of the visitors who visit the place.

The answer is because it follows a great history of casino gambling in those particular regions, especially the one in the United States, which follows a complicated history. However, in recent years, the government has put in efforts to strike a perfect balance between the detailed history and a moral income. The casinos that exist on the water bodies are called riverboat casinos, and they were built earlier in the 1990s.

In many countries where the casino establishment stills a sceptical topic, there is a limit to the geographical location of the establishments. This decision is generally taken by the state government in concern to the social impact and also balancing the income for the state.

The early history of the riverboat casinos

The history of the existence of the riverboat casinos dates centuries back when their establishments were based on the lands’ rules and regulations. Over the years, it became a solution to battle between the social policy and the money between the two.

The establishment of the riverboat casinos began as establishments in the early steamboats which quickly allowed the gambling business on to them. The passengers often killed time inside the establishments by playing cards. Over time, it became inevitable for the people to bet on cards and various other games, with the use of money. The gambling activity also became rampant on the Mississippi River in the US in the early 1800s. Although it wasn’t an official practice, the law enforcement of the state allowed it to be a concept of precedence.

Earlier, these riverboat casinos were highly restrictive, which allowed gambling only in shorter cruises, even which lasted only a couple of hours. The laws were so stringent that the gambling activity began only after the boats left the dock and were sailing in the water body.

According to many rules and regulations from the authoritative bodies, the ship had to be three miles away from the shore, only after which the activity of gambling could commence, with a maximum of 100 passengers mostly over the year.

Casinos on boats today

Over time, casino riverboats became extremely popular, and the competitive nature among them grew wings. The limits on gambling were also realized, along with the increase in the length of the casinos. Since the activity was limited to a few hours, the water bodies were often crowded during those hours. Hence, the government and the boat owner quickly search for a solution. Therefore, they allowed the riverboats to be at the banks of the rivers.

Today, most of these riverboat casinos do not move from the docs, and they are regarded as stationary buildings that are designed to float on water.