There are a number of groups actively lobbying for legalization of riverboat gaming in Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Ironically, Hannibal, Mo., the hometown of Mark Twain, whose name is synonymous with the Mississippi riverboat era, was the only community to reject riverboat gaming in the recent Missouri vote.Įxhibit 1 shows highlights of the current riverboat gaming legislation in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri.

Genevieve, Jefferson City, Parkville, Jefferson county and Buchanan county did so on the same day. In accordance with the new law, local municipalities or counties also have to approve gambling in separate proactive local referendums. Missouri became the latest state to legalize riverboat gaming on the Mississippi River, when voters overwhelmingly approved a statewide proposition on election day. Since Iowa first launched riverboat gaming on April 1,1991, four other states along the Mississippi have enacted similar legislation. Life on the Mississippi is changing for the bettor.

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