With a wide-open prairie landscape stretching out endlessly on either side, driving across the American Midwest can be a meditative experience. But if you’re going to go to all that trouble to get somewhere, you might as well go someplace worth seeing, or at least worth gambling at.
That’s why we put together this guide to Iowa casinos worth the trip. Whether you’re already out here barreling down the interstate and were wondering if there’s a bright spot ahead, or you’re trying to plan the perfect Great Plains gambling road trip, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find our picks for the top casinos in Iowa, along with info about other nearby entertainment options.
Group Casino Review NZ 2023 | Bonuses, Win Rate & Games - Indivisible Gaming1. Harrah’s Council Bluffs
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2831 72nd St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(773) 205-3000
The closest state border crossing between the United States and Omaha, Nebraska, is on the Missouri River at Carter Lake, Iowa, and that’s where Harrah’s Council Bluffs is located. Just across the river from downtown Omaha and the Eppley Airfield (OMA), this Horseshoe Casino was opened in 1985 as Meswaki Bingo Palace and changed its name to Harrah’s in 2006 after being acquired by Caesars Entertainment.
This has long been the premier gambling establishment in southwestern Iowa, but it faces increasing competition from newer casinos to the west in the Quad Cities area of eastern Iowa and the QuikTrip Casino & Hotel in suburban Kansas City. Still, its convenient location across the river from Omaha makes up for many of its shortcomings, including a less-than-inspiring selection of table games (three floppy felt tables for mini-baccarat and four for regular baccarat are odd indeed). There’s also chemin de fer, which is traditional nine deck bare-knuckled baccarat, and nine tables of blackjack offering double exposure, meaning the dealer gets both hole cards checked at the beginning of the hand.
casinos near fort lauderdaleOther options include six tables each of mississippidoubledeucy (a game in which each player starts with three cards and wagers on which of those three or any combination of them will win against the dealer’s two community cards) and Ultimate Texas Hold’em and four tables of Super Face-Off Texas Hold’em Poker. Payout is 6:5 for aces full and better in the UTH and SFO games, making these slightly more attractive than the standard paytable seen elsewhere in Iowa and surrounding states.
Aside from the 84,000 square feet of gaming space, Harrah’s Council Bluffs features a connected Radisson hotel with 236 rooms, an attached Acacia Spa & Fitness Center, and several dining options including a steak house, a seafood buffet, and a sports bar.
Nearby Attractions
The most notable attraction near Harrah’s Council Bluffs may be the nearby Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum, which commemorates the famous Corps of Discovery expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804 to 1806. Another interesting stop is the Boyz II Men Restaurant & Lounge, where the R&B vocal group known for “I’ll Make Love to You” and “On Bended Knee” from the 1990s holds lengthy residencies and rotating membership.
2. The Isle of Capri – Pittsburg
1620 Motel Drive, Pittsburg, KS 66762
Best Slot Machine Vacations in the United States(620) 231-3510
If you need a good excuse to visit the quaint little college town of Pittsburg, Kansas (home of Pitt State and the Loranger Family Science Quiz, an annual science trivia tournament for middle schools students), then how about a shiny new casino? Penn National Gaming’s ($PENN) new Isle of Capri Pittsburg opened in June of 2022 and features 510 slots and electronic table games as well as nine table games dealing Mississippi hold’em and super face-off poker using a straight pay table of 6:5 for aces full and better.
In addition to the usual assortment of slot machines and e-tables, The Isle of Capri boasts a large selection of craft beer and mid-priced American fare such as burgers, fish & chips, and chicken fried steak at Dockside Dave’s Grill & Bar. A players club called Club Isle offers tiered rewards based on play, ranging from Ruby through Diamond and giving members access to discounted room rates at partner hotels and resorts, free play, food comps, and event invites.
3. Catfish Bend Casino & Hotel, Burlington
3000 West Hillcrest Drive, Burlington, IA 52601
(319) 753-1717
Just off I-80 exit 162 near the western edge of Burlington, Iowa, this small casino sits across the road from the Des Moines River and features a large outdoor stage for summertime concerts. Inside, the non-smoking gambling floor offers 530 slot machines and electonic tables plus a full service restaurant, lounge, and deli. Table games include five variations – Mississippi riverboat style deck selection, chemin de fer (traditional, bare knuckle, nine deck baccarat), Super Face-Off and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Pay tables are somewhat unusual with 6:5 for aces full and better in the UTH and 1:1 for aces full, flush, and stronger in the SFO. That makes SFO mildly more player friendly than UTH in this catfish-themed gambling den. Overnight accommodations are available within stumbling distance at the Riverfront Gambling & Event Center, formerly Hawthorn Suites and now operated by the city of Burlington.
4. Q Casino & Hotel, Dubuque
5820 Diamond Dr, Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 690-4800
QuikTrip Corporation, based in Tulsa Oklahoma and specializing in convenience stores and gasoline, shocked the Midwest gambling scene in 2020 when it bought the former Diamonds Casino Galena IL location and not only continued to operate it but expanded the operation into a $75 million dollar resort casino complete with a luxurious hotel tower.
Best Poker Rooms Left in South Florida (2023) - PokerListingsWith 55,000 sq ft of gaming space and another 150,00 sq ft dedicated to the new hotel, Q Casino & Hotel easily surpasses its Iowa competitors while remaining the dominant gamble spot in northwestern Illinois, which remains a smoke-filled cave of casino antiquity. While diamonds.galenaharbor.com still redirects to qcasino.com, there’s no mistaking the extent of the transformation brought about by the Oklahoma oil state titans of road trip convenience QuikTrip.
Q Casino & Hotel features over 1,400 slot machines, electronic roulette, and keno, along with fifteen table games dealing blackjack, mini-Baccarat, baccarat, Super Face-Off and Ultimate Texas Hold’em poker. Generous pay tables include 6:5 for aces full and better in the UTH and 1:1 for flavored blackjack (aces full, flush, straight flush). Fifty luxury suites, a rooftop lounge and an upscale steakhouse round out this impressive road trip destination.
5. Wild Rose Casino & Resort, Clinton
777 Wild Rose Avenue, Clinton, IA 52432
(800) WRC-WIN
Located just off I-80 at Clinton, this Wild Rose facility opened in 2018 and features 500 slot machines and electronic tables plus a full menu of classic casino table games including Florida Stud, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, four kinds of poker comparing your two card hand to the dealer’s (Blazing 777s, Four Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, and RCBS – Royal Crown Business Services), roulette, craps, and ordinary blackjack as well as face-off versions of Super Texas and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Pay tables are standard for Iowa with 6:5 for aces full and better in the UTH and 1:1 for a natural 21 in blackjack. A connected Wild Rose Hotel & Casino features 80 oversized guest rooms and suites as well as a full range of amenities including an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and fitness center, on site dining options, and a coffee shop.
Nearby Attractions
Just across the river from Clinton lies the Quad Cities, an urbanized metro area consisting of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline, Illinois. This region of 424,000 people offers cultural attractions including Figge Art Museum, the Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre, and the German American Heritage Center and museum. Live music venues include The Redstone Room, The Mint, and The Lower Lobby at Figure skating, hockey, baseball, basketball, and football teams represent Clinton and the Quad Cities at various levels of competition from recreational to professional.
6. Wild Rose Casino & Resort, Newton
2900 Northwest 114th Avenue, Newton, IA 50208
(641) 792-4200
Another member of the Wild Rose family, this casino just off I-80 in central Iowa is much like its cousin in Clinton with 500 slots and electronic tables, plus blackjack, Mississippi stud, three-card poker, four kinds of heads-up poker, roulette, craps, and mundane face-off versions of Super Texas and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Pay tables are standard for Iowa with a generous match of 1:1 for six and seven card bonuses in UTH and 6:5 for aces full and better in both games.
Best Free Slot Games to Play Online Right NowA connected hotel offers 172 rooms, suites, and party planning services for events of up to 200 persons. On site dining options include a café, pizza place, full-service restaurant, lounge, and Starbucks. It may not be worth a special trip from the left coast, but this Wild Rose provides a bit of diversion for travelers stuck on the Turnpike between Omaha and Des Moines.
Nearby Attractions
Directly across the turnpike from the Wild Rose Casino & Resort is the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium featuring otters, sturgeon, and other creatures from the big muddy as well as exhibits about river life and transportation. The Slater Foundations hosts the Varied Industries Building and Swine Complex used during the annual Iowa State Fair for showing hogs, breeding sheep, goats, and meat goats, and replacements heifers. If that isn’t enough agricultural excitement for you, you can always visit the Sheepskinner Pub & Eatery for lunch and a cold one.
7. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City
110 electric avenue, sioux city, ia, 51101
(844) 682–7625
No Deposit Bonus Codes for Brand New Online Casinos (2023) - Indivisible GamingHard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City is a casino/resort in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. It is owned and operated by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. The property includes a casino, hotel, restaurants, bars, and a concert venue. Some of the popular acts they have had are Kid Rock, Queens of Stone Age, Godsmack, and many more. The Hard Rock Casino Sioux City replaced the Harrah's Council Bluffs as my go to Iowa casino. Not only is it nicer inside, but they seem to bring in bigger name acts. Plus their app is pretty nice too.
8. Harrah’s Council Bluffs
777 Harrahers Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(800) 427-7247
Harrah’s Council Bluffs is a casino/resort located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the river from Omaha, Nebraska. It is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment. The property includes a casino, hotel, and restaurants.
While Harrah's Council Bluffs is a decent-sized casino, it cannot compete with some of the larger ones in neighboring states. However, its proximity to Omaha and interstate highways make it a convenient option for local gamblers. The casino floors feature a variety of slot machines, table games, and poker rooms. The hotel has recently undergone renovations and offers modern amenities. Overall, Harrah's Council Bluffs is a solid choice for a weekend getaway or a quick gambling fix.
