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The Georgia Queen and Savannah Riverboat Cruises

Savannah riverboat cruises’: the georgia queen..

It is a 1,000-passenger riverboat that traveled 2,800 miles down the Mississippi River, down and around the shorelines of Florida to call Savannah her home.

The Georgia Queen is a great way to see the city and is one of the most unique social gathering destinations in Savannah, but its impact on local tourism and economic development will be substantial with the added ability to attract large conferences and conventions.”

Built in 1995 as a luxury floating casino for 14 million dollars, the majestic 1800s paddlewheel-style riverboat spent several years traveling the Mississippi River. When gambling legislation changed, allowing land-based casinos to open, the riverboat underwent a four-million-dollar makeover. Today, this spectacular paddlewheel-style riverboat acts as Savannah Riverboat Cruises’ Savannah River Queen’s grand sister ship.

The Georgia Queen measures an impressive 230 feet long, 64 feet wide and towering at 68 feet tall.

She is among the top elite in the country with a capacity of 1,000 passengers, plus a 200-person crew, making her the size of a small cruise ship at 38,000 square feet. The ship’s entertainment spaces include three grand ballrooms with over 15,000 square feet of dining space. It offers more than 5,000 square feet of open-air top deck space with patio seating. This affords more than enough room to accommodate a romantic riverboat wedding on the Savannah River.

The Georgia Queen also boasts a multi-deck, fully equipped gourmet kitchen. It is also equipped with a large service elevator, making traveling between galleys discrete and easy. This onboard kitchen will change the entire dining experience for guests. This will allow for more plated dinner opportunities and flexibility in menu items.

“Experiencing Savannah from our beautiful riverfront is such a unique experience,” Visit Savannah President Joseph Marinelli said.

“Savannah Riverboat’s guests are treated to refreshing breezes, fun entertainment, and some of the best southern cuisine Savannah offers. They can view Georgia’s oldest city as her founders did many years ago when they arrived by river in 1733. Jonathan and his team have been providing unforgettable narrated tours of Savannah’s harbor for 25 years. The Georgia Queen is a game-changer for their business. It will be another valuable asset to the thriving tourism and hospitality offerings of Savannah.”

For more information about Savannah Riverboat Cruises, or to make a reservation on one of their cruises, go to savannahriverboat.com or call (912) 232-6404.

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The Emerald Princess Casino

A 200-foot casino cruise ship offering blackjack, dice, roulette, poker, and slots. Casual dining is served on the 3rd deck, and drinks are available in two cocktail lounges. The ship’s open-air observation deck offers breezes and views. Guests must be 18 or older.

Location: 101 Emerald Princess Dr. Website: emeraldprincesscasino.com Phone: 800.842.0115

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Savannah Dining & Gambling Cruises

For those who would love to enjoy a dinner cruise on the River Street Riverboat along the Savannah River, or if you feel lucky, enjoy slots, black jack, poker on one of the casino cruises south of Savannah in Brunswick Georgia. See the listings below.

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Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia and played an important role during the American Civil War. Today, Savannah is a popular tourist destination, including riverboat gambling cruises. While Georgia has strict laws on gambling, the boats head a few miles into international waters where it's legal to gamble. There were once a number of riverboats offering casino cruises out of Savannah, but most have closed their doors as they didn't prove to be lucrative ventures .

Emerald Princess Casino

The Emerald Princess cruise ship is the only casino cruise ship left in the Savannah area. The boat itself is 200 feet long and has four fun-filled decks. Once you're in open international waters, they will open the casino portion. There are two gambling decks in the casino with:

• 12 blackjack tables
• 2 Emerald Princess stud poker tables
• 6 Texas hold'em tables
• 2 roulette wheels
• A craps table

Dining is available on the Bistro Deck and it's first come, first served. Leave your name with the host to be called when a table becomes available. There is a fully stocked bar with experienced bartenders waiting to serve you while onboard.

There is an age limit of 18 to be on board the ship and you must be at least 21 years or older to consume alcohol. Be sure you bring your ID; otherwise, you won't be allowed to board.

If you're interested in group activities, there is a cruise director on the ship that will help organize additional activities like EZ Money, Bingo, and Bonanza Bingo.

Tickets and Schedule

Most cruises are $10 per person and the Emerald Princess Casino sails Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 7pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday 11am to 4pm and 7pm to 1am; and Sunday 1pm to 6pm.

Round-trip transportation is available to and from the Emerald Princess Casino through the Savannah Limousine service if needed. Inquire as to rates.

Directions and Location

The Emerald Princess is located at One Emerald Princess Drive, at the southern end of the Sidney Lanier Bridge. If you're coming from I-95:

• Get off at exit 29
• Turn onto US-17 North
• Follow for 5.4 miles
• Make a right onto Jekyll Causeway, or GA-520 East, and then an immediate left onto Emerald Princess Drive

The boat sits near Jekyll Island State Park where you can find a myriad of outdoor activities. There are a number of hotels located nearby as well, so if you do a night cruise, you can be right near your hotel.

Tips for Taking a Casino Cruise in Savannah

For the most enjoyable time aboard the ship, keep these pointers in mind.

• Be sure to dress up some. They suggest attire you might wear to a club or nice restaurant.
• It can be cold in the casino, so bring a light sweater or jacket.
• Refrain from bathing suits, cut off tops, tank tops, bikini tops, flip flops, and high heels.
• Prepare to tip for all services provided by the staff, including casino staff, bartenders, and wait staff.
• Arrive early as you may forfeit your spot if you don't show up within an allotted amount of time before sailing.
• Be patient as they can't open the casino until they get to international open waters. That may take a couple hours in some cases.

Visitor Reviews

Reviewers are really divided on whether the Emerald Princess is worth it. Some people enjoyed the river cruise and noted they saw dolphins during their day cruise. The night cruise is great for groups and people who just want to enjoy a night out doing something different.

Of the negative reviews, most complaints center around less than excellent food and a lot of smoke. Something to note that caught a number of reviewers off guard is that the kitchen closes about an hour after taking off so if you plan to eat, you'd better do it when you first get on board.

Is a Savannah Casino Cruise Worth It?

As there is only one company that really still operates a casino cruise out of Savannah, you might be wondering if it's worth taking one. If you're a hardcore gambler, you may be disappointed, since it may take a while to reach international waters, even though it's only a few miles out. The scenery is beautiful, though, and at only a $10 cover fee, it's still not a bad way to spend 4-5 hours.

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Tradewinds Casino Cruise - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Best Riverboat Casinos

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert . Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

If you were to close your eyes and imagine a riverboat casino, your mind will probably conjure up an image that would look like something straight out of a Mark Twain novel. Riverboats are represented in pop culture as paddlewheel steamboats that float around languidly, while the cacophony of laughter and excited hoots make their way through the air.

However, riverboat casinos are far more advanced than once thought out to be, offering a unique experience to tourists and seasoned gamblers. In this guide, we’ll take a trip down the river and explore the origins, history and current state of the best riverboat casinos in the USA. All aboard!

Riverboat Gambling In The US – The Rise of the Riverboat Casinos

If only it was easy to point out a go-to destination for the best riverboat casinos. Riverboat gambling goes back a long way through American history. To see a complete picture of riverboat gambling today, we need to first ride down the cruise ship of history to discover the origins of riverboat gambling . Meanwhile, if you are located in any state with legal online gambling, you can play at any of the best online casinos in the US . Read on till the end of this guide to take your pick on the best riverboat casino locations.

• 📖 History of riverboat gambling
• ⛵ Riverboat gambling economies
• 🧐 Fun Facts
• 💰 Riverboat Casinos Today

History of Riverboat Gambling in the USA

When riverboat gaming first took the USA by storm, paddlewheel riverboats had long been used on the Mississippi River as a means of passenger and freight transportation. With the advent of the railways, riverboats saw their utility decline and started to be viewed as entertainment and leisure vessels by the public.

Boat cruises were popular for their live music and dancing, but also as a way to escape the crowded cities across the US. As these boats became entertainment hubs, gambling gained popularity on board . Initially, gambling was limited to card and table games, but slot machines were eventually added to most riverboats. Nowadays, players in states with legal online gambling can enjoy the best real money online casinos . For example, if they are within the state of New Jersey, they can enjoy the best online casinos in NJ without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

As the Mississippi River served as the border of several states, it created the perfect legal gray area. In 1903, several states simultaneously softened their stance on gambling due to the economic potential that it offered. Thus began the golden era of riverboat gambling . The first casinos were required to be located on ships that would have to sail away from the dock. In some parts, gambling was only allowed once the ship was sailing.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Era

The administration under Lyndon. B Johnson placed significant restrictions on what riverboat casinos could legally do. In 1951, the Transportation of Gambling Devices Act was passed, which made the transportation of gambling devices across state borders illegal. This placed limitations on how riverboats could operate.

Riverboat casinos were first approved by state lawmakers in the late 20th century by those states which prohibited gambling on land. In the 1980s, lawmakers had the vision to revive the golden era of riverboat gambling. Several states simultaneously introduced laws that permitted gambling on water vessels, creating the framework under which they still operate today. Iowa was the first state to fully legalize riverboat gambling . Apart from Iowa, Riverboat gambling is legal in Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, and Missouri too.

Riverboat Casino Economies

In 2010, there were 10 operational riverboat casinos. This number might pale in comparison to the number of land casinos in the United States, but riverboat gambling saw a massive boom during the 2010s. In 2018, there were 63 riverboat casinos in operation across the legal states. This spike in growth suggests that riverboat casinos have a distinct appeal, separate from that of land-based casinos.

Riverboats make massive contributions to local economies, as all winnings are taxed by the state. Before you start playing, make sure to acquaint yourself with the gambling commission of the state in which you are planning on playing. In Iowa, if you win over $1,200, you’ll be paying an eye-watering 15% as tax to the state and 5% to the local community, whereas in Iowa, the tax rate stands at a little over 5%.

Proponents of riverboat casinos frequently argue that these floating casinos increase employment rates in the communities where the boats are docked. To support the requirements of large floating casinos, communities are engaged in the development of restaurants, shopping, accommodation, recreation, and other hospitality facilities to capitalize on the spending power of visiting tourists .

Since state legislatures were never willing to give up on the revenues generated by casinos. In a unique ruling in 1998, courts had stated that boats had to be “solely over and in contact with the surface” of rivers, thereby eliminating the need for actual floating vessels. Over time, the rules were amended to allow the construction of casinos on stilts , with the caveat that they had to be located in navigable water.

Fun Facts About Riverboat Casinos

Before we get into the list of top riverboat gambling destinations, we would like to share a few fun historical facts and trivia that you might find interesting. These facts might even make good conversation starters should you get down to maritime gaming.

When riverboat gambling was legalized for the first time in the late 1980s, different states put forward varying cosmetic requirements . In an inconvenience to casino owners, all Louisiana riverboat casinos were required to be constructed exactly like the 19th-century paddlewheel steamboats, for reasons unknown. To run a legal riverboat casino in Indiana, vessels had to have a minimum length of 150 feet and a minimum carrying capacity of 500 passengers.

There have also been violent incidents associated with riverboat gambling. As riverboat casinos operated on the water, it was often thought that they were somehow exempt from the laws of the land. Historians have discovered several instances of individuals punishing cheaters and thieves by taking the law into their own hands. in 1835, five gamblers were lynched in Vicksburg Mississippi when they were caught cheating.

Some of the biggest reforms to riverboat gambling were brought on – unfortunately – by Hurricane Katrina. Before 2005, most riverboat casinos only allowed gambling when the vessel was sailing. However, this was not realistic all year round, as boats could not leave their docks in unpredictable weather . After Katrina, most state laws dictate that riverboat casinos need to be docked for safety.

Riverboat Casinos Today

The Mississippi River region is still the hotbed of all riverboat gambling in the United States. Today, there are over 20 riverboat casinos that gamblers can choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the best riverboat casinos today. In order to make this list, the casinos that we evaluated have had to meet stringent requirements of variety, novelty, hospitality, and service.

The Amelia Belle, Louisiana

One of the best riverboat casinos in Louisiana that we recommend are owned by Boyd Gaming, the casino giant from Paradise Nevada. The Amelia Belle is located in Amelia Louisiana , between Houma and Morgan City, built on the edge of the water in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway.

The Amelia Belle could easily be considered one of the beautiful casinos in this guide. Spread out over four stories, it sports a turn-of-the-century look and appears stunning when illuminated at night. The Amelia Belle has over 800 slot machines and 15 table games .

The Amelia Belle recently added dining options to feed the hunger of visiting gamblers. If you are visiting, drop by the Bayou Cafe on the first floor to grab a quick bite. The Amelia Belle is open 24×7 on the weekends and you can expect games like Blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker, and Electronic Roulette.

Grand Victoria Casino, Illinois

The El Dorado Resorts-owned Grand Victoria Casino is located on the Fox River in Elgin, Illinois. The Grand Victoria stands out from the other top riverboat casinos in this guide as it has an abundance of restaurants on board . Before we look into their gastronomical offerings, let’s examine gambling aboard the Grand Victoria.

The Grand Victoria offers a gambling experience unmatched by others in the area. With a casino floor that covers 29850 square feet , you could spend hours at the Grand Victoria without going through everything that’s on offer. The casino even has a High Limit Room for big bettors.

Within the casino, you’ll find 1000 of the most popular slot machines and video poker games. You can also try your hand at 29 Vegas-style table games, a poker room, a lounge, and seasonal entertainment venues . There are also several well-established hotels near Grand Victoria, in case you want to make your excursion a multi-day affair.

While most riverboat casinos were slow to catch up to fine dining experiences, the Grand Victoria is ahead of the curve. You can indulge yourself at four restaurants on board named Buckinghams Steakhouse and Lounge, Indulge Show Kitchen Buffer, Crave Deli and Prime Burger house.

Casino Queen Marquette

Casino Queen Marquette is a smaller riverboat casino owned by CQ Holdings. Thanks to its small size and limited capacity, Queen Marquette offers a more exclusive and personalized experience in comparison to other top riverboat casinos. Located next to a 31-acre site, the casino has a marina, an enclosed dining pavilion on the first floor, and an entertainment center on the second floor.

Since it is a small and quaint casino, you will only find 8 live tables at Queen Marquette. This is balanced out with the provision of 566 slot machines and video poker games . Some of the games you can look forward to playing at Queen Marquette are Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, Blackjack and Fusion Roulette.

Ameristar Casino MIssissippi

The Ameristar Casino is located on the banks of the famed Mississippi River. It is conveniently located on the Mississippi-Louisiana border just off Interstate 20. The casino is part of a much larger complex featuring a hotel, three restaurants, a blues bar, a cabaret, and a full-service RV Park.

The Ameristar Casino has 70,000 square feet of the casino floor. You can enjoy games at 27 tables or 1571 gaming machines. There are also 10 live-action poker tables. The casino has been designed to retain the atmosphere of a 19th-century gambling boat .

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve had your eyes glued to the screen till the end of this guide, you know exactly where to go to find an authentic riverboat gambling experience in the USA>. Apart from the casino boats mentioned in this guide, there are several others that are worth looking into. However, we can guarantee that you will have a fabulous experience playing at the casinos that we have covered in this guide.

Is riverboat gambling legal in the USA?

How many riverboat casinos are operational in the usa, which is the best riverboat gambling facility in america, what games are available at the best riverboat casinos, what additional facilities are available at riverboat casinos.

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RESERVATIONS

Make your reservation today by submitting the form below, or by calling 800.842.0115, and a representative will assist you! We look forward to seeing you soon. All ticket prices include: Scenic cruise, dining, access to casino gaming and parking. ​

Please Note:

The Dress is casual aboard the Emerald Princess. For your safety please refrain from wearing the following items:

High-heels, tank tops, bikini tops, flip-flips, cut off shorts, beachwear, or open toed shoes.​​

Guests must be 21 years old or older and present government issued photo ID to cruise on the Emerald Princess II. 

Due to Coast Guard regulations we are required to have all names and phone numbers of passengers.

Prepayment is not required unless cruising on a special holiday cruise or with group discount. 

Reservations not claimed 30 minutes prior to sailing will be forfeited. 

Confirmations may take up to 24 hours.

G mail users, please check your spam folder for confirmations.

Online reservations not valid for New Year's Eve cruise.

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A Guide To The Most Iconic Riverboat Casinos In The US 

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Talk about casino destinations and you’ll most likely think of Las Vegas, Atlantic City or, if you are travelling outside the US, maybe Monaco or Macau.

Yet what are called “land based” or “bricks and mortar” casinos to differentiate them from the online versions are not necessarily on land or made of bricks and mortar.

We refer, of course, to riverboat casinos, a little slice of Americana that’s as American as Super Bowl Sunday or Thanksgiving turkey. Riverboat casinos conjure up images of the Mississippi and Mark Twain complete with white suit, top hat and cigar. There are more than 60 riverboat casinos operating in the USA and every single one of them has a story to tell. Here, we highlight a handful of the very best.

The Grand Victoria, Elgin

Our first stop is not on the Mississippi at all, but on the Fox River in Elgin, 50 miles north west of Chicago . Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Grand Victoria really is a slice of Las Vegas on the Illinois waterfront.  With more than 1,000 slots and video poker terminals and 36 tables, there’s a great choice of games.

If all that gambling whets your appetite, there are four dining options on board, including the highly rated Buckingham’s Steakhouse and Lounge.

Casino Queen, Marquette  

The Casino Queen would look like a lifeboat if it was moored alongside the Grand Victoria, but that is all part of its charm. It offers a more intimate and personalized experience, and although there are only eight tables, they host an intriguing variety of games that are not commonly found in land (or water) based casinos. If you know how to gamble online in the US , you’ve probably seen fusion blackjack and 21+3 at US online casinos. The Casino Queen gives you an opportunity to play them in real casino surroundings.

When you step ashore, there is an adjacent 31-acre entertainment complex with a variety of attractions and a huge choice of dining options.

The Amelia Belle, Amelia  

At last, we arrive in Louisiana, where the Amelia Belle lies nestled in the Avoca Island Cutoff waterway. This classic four-story riverboat looks like it has stepped straight out of a photograph from the turn of the 20 th century. When it is lit up at night, it takes your breath away.

At the tables, poker is the order of the day. The casino offers Mississippi stud, 3-card poker and Texas Holdem. There are also 800 slot games, while the Fanduel sportsbook has self-service betting kiosks, a wall full of television screens, and a huge video wall to show the biggest events.

Sam’s Town, Shreveport

On the opposite side of Louisiana, Sam’s Town could not be more different to the Amelia Belle. This floating leisure complex houses a hotel, health spa, sauna and live entertainment venue.

The casino offers more than 1,000 slots and 30 table games that include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Let it Ride and Craps No More.

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It's march madness and more people than ever can legally bet on basketball games.

David A. Lieb

Associated Press

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

FILE - A customer makes a sports bet at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City N.J. on March 17, 2022 just before the March Madness NCAA college basketball tournament began. As March Madness gets underway, more people than ever now can legally bet on sports. A total of 38 states and the District of Columbia now allow some form of sports betting. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

People in North Carolina may have a little more riding on this year's NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments, as they will be able to legally bet on the games through their smartphone apps and computers for the first time.

For the sixth straight year, the number of states allowing legal sports betting has expanded since the last rendition of March Madness . A total of 38 states and the District of Columbia now allow some form sports betting, including 30 states and the nation's capital that allow online wagering.

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That's up from one state, Nevada, where people could legally wager on games during the 2018 college basketball tournaments, before the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for expansion .

The rules for sports betting vary by state. Some states prohibit bets on home-state college teams or the performance of specific players. Others allow bets not only on the outcome of any college games but also on a variety of other things, such as the number of points, rebounds and assists that a particular player will tally.

Here are some things to know about sports betting as the tourneys open, with the men’s games starting Tuesday and the women’s competition beginning Wednesday.

Fans have long filled out NCAA tournament brackets while wagering in office pools or against friends and family. But those casual bets have increasingly been supplemented with more formal gambling.

The total amount bet on all sports through legal wagering sites exceeded $121 billion in 2023, up 30% from the previous year, according to the American Gaming Association. After paying out winnings, sports betting operators reaped $11 billion in revenue, up from about $7.5 billion the previous year.

The American Gaming Association estimates $2.7 billion will be bet this year on the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments through legal sports books.

“March Madness is the biggest kind of individual event of the year for sports betting,” said David Forman, the American Gaming Association vice president of research.

The Super Bowl also draws big bets, but it's only one game between two NFL teams. The NCAA Division 1 men's and women's basketball tournaments feature a total of 136 teams playing 134 games over three weeks.

CAN YOU BET ON YOUR TEAM?

Despite living where sports betting is legal, some fans still could be blocked from betting on their favorite teams and players.

Roughly a dozen states bar bets on college games involving home-state teams. Four additional states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont — generally prohibit bets involving their own college teams but make exceptions for tournaments.

Some states only allow bets on the outcome of college games, not how particular players will perform. Maryland and Ohio, for example, banned so-called proposition bets on college players, effective this month.

The NCAA has raised concerns that player-specific bets can lead to problems, including the harassment of college athletes and strain on their mental health. The organization also says such bets could entice players to wager on themselves or alter their play to affect stats-based bets.

NEW BETTING STATES

Since the University of Connecticut won the men's tournament last year, half a dozen states have launched or expanded sports betting.

Nebraska began taking sports bets at casinos last June, though it doesn't allow mobile wagers. Kentucky launched sports betting in September to coincide with the start of the NFL season, and Maine began doing so in November.

After a court victory, the Seminole Tribe of Florida in December began taking online sports bets in addition to wagers at its casinos. Wagering has continued while a challenge is pending before the Florida Supreme Court. Opponents also have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.

In January, Vermont launched online sports betting.

North Carolina, which previously allowed sports betting only at three tribal casinos, began permitting online sports wagering statewide on March 11, a day before the start of the popular ACC men’s basketball tournament but a day after the women's tournament ended.

ODDS FOR OTHER STATES

Several states have a chance to join the sports betting trend.

In Missouri, where legislative attempts have repeatedly failed, the St. Louis Cardinals are leading a coalition of professional sports teams supporting an initiative petition that could place sports betting on the November ballot. Sports betting operators DraftKings and FanDuel have contributed a combined $3 million to the effort. Supporters say they are on track to exceed the required signatures by a May 5 deadline.

Lawmakers in Alabama and Georgia also are considering constitutional amendments authorizing sports betting. Georgia senators passed a measure last month, but it still needs a two-thirds vote from the House to appear on this year's ballot.

Alabama's House included sports betting in a wide-ranging gambling measure, but the state Senate stripped it out earlier this month. The House now must decide whether to accept that change or negotiate a final version to go to voters.

Legislation to legalize sports betting also is pending in Oklahoma and Minnesota. A Minnesota state Senate committee endorsed a revised version on Thursday that would raise the proposed tax rate.

Mississippi, which legalized casino sports betting in 2018, is considering an expansion to online betting. A bill passed the House last month and is now in the state Senate.

CROSSING STATE LINES

Although sports betting remains illegal in a dozen states, some residents place bets by crossing state lines. In Missouri's two largest cities, St. Louis and Kansas City, some people drive to the nearest commuter lots or highway exit ramps just across the border in Illinois or Kansas, respectively, to place legal bets through mobile apps.

Many other would-be bettors get thwarted by technology.

During the weekend of the Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers , technology company GeoComply Solutions said it processed more than 431,000 location checks from about 40,500 mobile devices in Missouri that attempted to access other states' legal sports betting sites. The location checks allowed those bets to be blocked.

During that weekend, GeoComply said it processed an additional 256,000 location checks for sports betting sites coming from 30,000 devices in Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota and Mississippi.

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