These casinos largely donated to the local charities and this made them very popular to the general public. Over time, the people grew to embrace them because they created jobs and rejuvenated the economies where they were located.

When they were initiated, the casinos were viewed as necessary evils in the communities where they were legalized. These vessels dock next to 5-star hotels and have exquisite resort amenities, entertainment complexes, and lounges that rival any gaming destination across the continent. The interior of a contemporary riverboat resembles the modern Las Vegas casinos more than it does the river boats of the past. In the modern society, riverboat casinos are docked vessels that can actually navigate but are not required to by law. The casinos were made as replicas of the paddlewheel steam riverboats to make them more appealing to the majority of gamblers. This also spared people the nuisance of having a casino in their neighborhood. Casinos were meant to be kept a secret and for this reason, they were restricted to the waterways. The main aim of these casinos was to avoid taxes. The river boat casinos of the past are quite different from those of today.