Ameristar Casino Review
A Review of the Ameristar Casino – One of the Last Iowa Riverboats
The Ameristar Casino, located on the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, is probably the one Iowa casino that I visit the most.
With Sioux City and Davenport looking to go land-based and Harrah’s in Council Bluffs going to dry ground, the Ameristar and the Isle in Bettendorf look to be the last of the riverboat casinos in Iowa.
For a riverboat, the Ameristar is actually pretty spacious. They do their best to occupy every square inch of space with gaming opportunities, namely slot machines. More than 1,500 slot machines to be more precise.
Slot machines in just about every type and denomination comprise most of the three floors of the casino.
If you are a slot player then you will really enjoy the slot locator that they have available just as you enter the casino itself and another just as you enter the main building from the parking garage. The locator will tell you exactly where your favorite slot machines are located on the boat.
They have a decent selection of table games with Blackjack, Craps, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Spanish 21, and Mississippi Stud. They do not have a poker room here.
Although it is stuffed with tables and machines, it is fairly easy to get around the casino.
The food here is the best of any casino in Council Bluffs. Choices include the Amerisports Bar, Bella’s Bakery & Café, Bourbon’s BBQ & Steaks, Heritage Buffet, and a Hot Dog Cart.
The Heritage Buffet is somewhat small but is the best tasting buffet of the Council Bluffs casinos. I highly recommend them. You can really tell that they take pride in the food they serve instead of just throwing something out there.
The bakery goods at Bella’s is top notch. Their café part has some strange hours but if you catch them open I highly recommend the sliders. Three small burgers with fries that are fantastic.
The hot dog cart is on the bottom floor and features Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. They also offer brats that really hit the spot when you don’t want to get too far away from the action.
Like all other casinos that I have visited the Ameristar is not overly generous with their money but it is a good place to visit and give it a shot. I have made money there, just not as often as I would like.
If you ever find yourself nearby, I recommend stopping in and seeing what they have to offer.
See my other Iowa casino reviews for Council Bluffs: