Casinos in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Found on the east bank of the Missouri River, Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a city in Pottawattamie County. There’s plenty of history to take in across Council Bluffs, including a museum dedicated to the Union Pacific railroad and a monument to famous explorers Lewis and Clark. The area is great for outdoor activities, including mountain biking, hiking, and wildlife watching, along with fishing and boating on Lake Manawa. It’s also a haven for gamers, with four large casinos in the city offering a wide variety of games for visitors and locals alike.
Top Council Bluffs Casinos
History of Gambling in Council Bluffs, Iowa
The Hawkeye State has a much more permissive attitude to gambling than many of its neighboring states. As in most states, gambling in most forms was illegal in Iowa until the 1970s, but this was changed, in part, due to a scandal involving a priest. In 1971, this priest organized a charitable gambling picnic to raise funds and was duly charged with running a gambling house. Public outcry eventually led to the overturning of the current gambling law, and in 1973, Iowa legalized charitable bingo, raffles, and low-stakes games of chance, beginning the state's journey to becoming a well-known casino destination.
Horse and dog racing were legalized in Iowa in 1983, while a statewide lottery was started in 1985. Riverboat gaming referendums made their way through the courts in 1985, and the first physical casinos were opened in the Hawkeye State in 1994, with only three other states legalizing casinos before Iowa.
Since 1994, the number of casinos in Iowa has steadily increased and there are now four in Council Bluffs from which players can choose. However, gaming legislation hasn’t stopped there. In 2018, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which governed the legality of sports betting across the nation, was overturned, and Iowa, in common with lots of other states, made the decision to expand their gaming options, including online betting. This has brought a welcome boost in revenue thanks to taxes and has helped to make Iowa a thriving tourist destination.
Council Bluffs, Iowa Casinos by the Numbers
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, players have four casinos to choose from, including one of the biggest casinos in Iowa. These are divided into two resort-style, land-based casinos, an Indian tribal casino, and a riverboat casino. Most of the casinos that are found in Council Bluffs are part of larger resorts or complexes, which have hotels and other amenities attached for those looking for a longer visit, such as pools, bars, restaurants, and live entertainment venues.
Three of the casinos here also offer hotel accommodations to guests, and each one has a range of promotions to unlock special discounts and events for players. Each of the four casinos has a wide range of games to suit all casino-goers, from those visiting a casino for the first time to old hands, so anyone coming to play in Council Bluffs will be warmly welcomed.
Casino Games Available in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Any gamblers coming to Council Bluffs will find a massive range of games to enjoy at all of the four casinos in the city. Those looking to hit the reels will be pleased to hear that all of the casinos in Council Bluffs offer hundreds of slot machine options for players. Each casino has a heady mixture of the newest releases from the biggest names, such as IGT and Konami, as well as the classic players' favorites. There are also a range of stakes suitable for every gambler and electronic versions of many table games, such as electronic keno and video poker.
Lovers of live table action are also well taken care of, with three out of the four casinos in Council Bluffs offering a variety of live table games. Blackjack, roulette, and craps make an appearance at all three of the larger casinos, along with some other player favorites such as baccarat and Pai Gow.
Poker players will find plenty of entertainment, with two of the casinos in Council Bluffs providing a large selection of poker games such as Criss Cross poker, Mississippi Stud, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Since the reversal of the PASPA law, the three largest casinos in Council Bluffs now offer a full Sportsbook for visitors. This allows players to wager on a large assortment of live sporting events, from tennis, hockey and football to soccer, basketball, boxing and MMA.
Council Bluffs, Iowa Casinos FAQs
What is the legal gambling age in Council Bluffs?
The legal gambling age in Council Bluffs, as in the rest of Iowa and many other states in the U.S., is 21 to be able to bet on casinos and slot machines. In order to gamble in the statewide lottery in Iowa, players must be at least 18.
How many casinos are in Council Bluffs, Iowa?
There are currently four casinos in Council Bluffs offering a wide variety of different games for players, from slots to table games. They also offer a range of other amenities to hungry travelers or visitors looking to recharge.
Do any Council Bluffs casinos offer a sportsbook?
Three out of the four casinos in Council Bluffs offer a sportsbook for players to wager on a wide variety of sports, including basketball, auto racing, football and hockey. This has been in place in Iowa since the 2018 reversal of the PASPA legislation.
Does Council Bluffs, Iowa have any tribal casinos?
Yes. The Prairie Flower casino is owned and operated by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. It currently doesn’t offer any live table games but is home to around 200 slot machines, along with a pub and a snack bar.
Does Council Bluffs have any riverboat casinos?
Yes, the Ameristar is a stationary riverboat casino that is permanently docked on the Missouri River. It offers players an exciting gaming experience and hotel stays, with games on offer including more than 1500 slots, roulette, blackjack, and a sportsbook.
