Louisiana, the home of Mardi Gras, has some of the best casinos in the Southeast. Many southern states have laws against gambling and casinos with few even having lotteries. Thus, those in the area must drive to other parts of the country to find good gaming. Louisiana is a close alternative, and the allure of a variety of entertainment in Baton Rouge and New Orleans keep these spots popular throughout the Southeast region.

New Orleans

When people think of Louisiana, their first thought is generally of New Orleans for good reason. New Orleans is a city packed with and devoted to fun and entertainment. Casinos populate the area. Although casinos are legal in the state, many companies still provide casino cruises.

Steamboats traversed the Mississippi River in times past, and now companies are striving to return this tradition to the area. Thus, many companies, including The Delta Queen, have revived and restored old steamboats to cruise up and down the Mississippi River. Many of these ships have small but wonderful casinos on board. Think Maverick meets Titanic; a beautiful ship and great games.

Additionally, since New Orleans is on the Gulf of Mexico, boats can head out into the Gulf for great gaming and beautiful sunsets. Many visitors love this change of pace after having spent numerous days and evenings in the casinos. Louisiana’s casinos are open twenty-four hours per day, but the cruises are generally offered in the late afternoon and evening.

Baton Rouge

Also on the Mississippi River sits Baton Rouge. Many of the steamboat companies also have stops at this point on the Mississippi. Most cruises will either go down to New Orleans or up to Memphis; casinos are illegal in Tennessee, so gaming will stop once you reach the Memphis dock.

There are also some standing boats in Baton Rouge that remain docked the majority of the year but have been turned into casinos by the owners. Although the owners sometimes set these ships sailing for special cruises and holidays, such as New Year’s Eve, they generally stay docked throughout the year.