River Boat Casino History

Tunica, Mississippi is a small town located on the banks of the Mississippi River, about 30 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The town’s history with gambling dates back to the 19th century, when it was a popular destination for wealthy plantation owners to visit and enjoy riverboat gambling.

In the early 1990s, Tunica became one of the first areas in the southern United States to legalize casino gambling, following the lead of states like Nevada and New Jersey. This move was made in an effort to revive the local economy, which had been struggling due to declining cotton prices and the closure of many of the area’s manufacturing plants.

Initially, the casinos in Tunica were housed in small, temporary buildings, but as the industry grew, developers began building larger and more elaborate casinos. However, instead of building these casinos on land, they chose to construct them on boats that were permanently docked on the Mississippi River.

There are a few reasons why casinos in Tunica and other areas of the southern United States are typically built on boats. One reason is that gambling laws in many states require casinos to be located on bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes. This is done to limit the spread of gambling and to prevent the negative social impacts that can come with it.

Another reason why Tunica’s casinos are located on boats is that the Mississippi River is a major attraction for tourists, and the riverboat casinos offer a unique experience that is difficult to replicate on land. The boats are often designed to resemble old-fashioned paddle-wheelers, with ornate decorations and entertainment options like live music and fine dining.

Overall, the history of gambling in Tunica has been closely tied to the Mississippi River, and the town’s casinos continue to attract visitors from around the world who are drawn to the excitement of gambling on the water.