Riverboat Gambling In Dubuque Iowa
In January 1990 the Illinois Legislature passed the Riverboat Gambling Act, and boats began operating from Illinois on September 11, 1991. The first boats at Alton and Peoria were distant enough not to affect the Iowa market, but in 1992 Illinois boats operating with less regulation opened in. Riverboat Casinos in Iowa Iowa was the first state to legalize riverboat casino gambling. The riverboats began operating on April Fools Day in 1991 and passengers were originally limited to $5 per bet with a maximum loss of $200 per person, per cruise. In early 1994 the Iowa legislature voted to eliminate those gambling restrictions. Situated in Dubuque’s historic downtown and nightlife district, Diamond Jo Casino is an entertainment destination not to be missed! We offer a high-energy casino with nearly 1,000 slots, 19 table games, more than 200 nights of live entertainment each year at the Mississippi Moon Bar, a state-of-the-art bowling center, and five restaurants.
The Kehl family business started in the 1960’s when Bob and Ruth Kehl bought and ran a café in downtown Dubuque, Iowa. By the 1970’s they were also in the catering business and had purchased a 150-passenger steamwheeler, “River Rogue” for dinner cruises.
In 1977, the Kehls commissioned a 377-passenger “Spirit of Dubuque.” The Mississippi Belle and Mississippi Belle II followed in the 80’s. In 1986, the business expanded to West Virginian with the West Virginia Belle, a 1000-passenger boat.
Hard work creates success. Bob and Ruth Kehl received the National Small Business of the Year Award from President Reagan in 1986, beating out Microsoft for the honor.
It’s no secret the Kehls were opposed to the idea of gambling on the rivers when the idea was floated in the Iowa Legislature in the late 1980’s because of the threat to their riverboat business. They soon figured out gambling was likely coming. No one was in a better position to be part of this new industry.
The Kehl family has been involved in gaming since its inception in the state of Iowa. On March 8, 1990, the Dubuque Casino Belle, Inc. owned and operated by Robert and Ruth Kehl, was granted the first riverboat gaming operator’s license in Iowa and the license was issued on April 1, 1990. The Dubuque Casino Belle became the first American-flagged vessel to offer gambling cruises in the United States.
The Kehls received their second license in 1991 for the Mississippi Belle II, which started riverboat gaming operation on June 1 in Clinton, Iowa.
The Kehl’s had interest in and operated a total of four riverboat casinos in the Midwest; Dubuque Casino Belle, the Mississippi Belle II, Catfish Bend Casino, Fort Madison/Burlington, Iowa and Saint Joe Frontier Casino, St. Joe, Missouri.
Today, the Kehl’s have majority ownership in Elite Casino Resorts, LLC, which owns and operates Riverside Casino and Golf Resort® in Washington County which opened in 2006, Grand Falls Casino Resort® in Lyon County, Iowa, which opened in 2011, and Rhythm City Casino Resort®, which reopened in 2016. Riverside received one of only four new Iowa gaming licenses awarded by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission out of ten applications in 2005. Grand Falls was the only license awarded by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission of four applications in 2010. In 2014, the Kehl’s became owners of the existing Rhythm City Casino in Davenport and opened a land-based casino resort to replace the existing riverboat in June 2016.
A New Experience Is Here. Located in the heart of the Old Main District, Hotel Julien Dubuque’s Riverboat Lounge features exemplary craft cocktails, an enticing small plate menu, an extensive wine selection, and an unparalleled atmosphere that complements after-work drinks, a pre-dinner cocktail, or a stylish night out with friends.
Dubuque Iowa Riverboat Rides
With live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as an outdoor terrace set against beautiful views of the Mississippi River, Riverboat Lounge is the perfect setting in which to relax, unwind, and enjoy a great evening in downtown Dubuque.
Riverboat Casino In Dubuque Iowa
View our full Craft Cocktail and Appetizer menu here:
Riverboat Lounge Cocktail Menu
Dubuque Iowa Riverboat Cruises
Hours of Operation
Tuesday-Thursday: 4:00p.m. – Close
Friday: 4:00p.m. – Close
Saturday: 1:00p.m. – Close