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Missouri Travel Guide: Betting on a Fabulous Time

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Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's , North Kansas City

“If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”

They’re lyrics in a song from the old TV show Hee Haw.
And as I often tell people, that’s me.

Now that you know that about me, you’d probably gamble you’d never catch me in any of the casinos in the Show-Me State. And you’d lose that bet!

Because in addition to the seductive call of slot machines and table games, Missouri’s casinos are filled to the brim with fabulous food, fantastic entertainment, amazing places to relax, beautiful sights and sounds, and opportunities to treat myself to a little pampering time. What’s not to love?

They’re so perfectly named, aren’t they? Lounges: the word alone evokes relaxation and comfort. Sit back and watch the river roll by as night falls over Keller’s at Isle Casino in Cape Girardeau. Select from their menu of specialty drinks and freshly made regional fare served with a side of Southern hospitality. Every seat is front row to their stunning panoramic river view.

When it comes to getting spoiled, noting beats some personal pampering. Massage, facial, steam … when faced with an impossible choice, do it all! Ara Spa at the Ameristar Casino Resort in St. Charles knows how to give you the full VIP treatment, with everything from exquisite treatments in luxurious surroundings to indoor and outdoor pools.

If you ever need a break from pampering, gaming and relaxing – as hard as that may be to imagine – take a moment to soak in your surroundings. Missouri’s casinos range from a bit wild-west to straight-up Hollywood, so they’re always worth a good look around.

From treats and casual meals to extravagant buffets to exquisite dinners created by gifted chefs and complemented by the perfect wine – casinos know how to feed you, body and soul. The 1904 Steak House St. Louis at the River City Casino & Hotel has been flooded with accolades … “Best Ambiance” and “Best Food” by Open Table to “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator, to name just a few.  Pair your prime cut or seared Skuna salmon with one of their 120 wines from around the world for a dining sensation that satisfies and delights.

Music, comedy, variety – as with everything else I’ve mentioned so far, our casinos cater to your tastes. Some of the hottest tickets are for the coolest venue: the VooDoo Lounge at Harrah’s North Kansas City Hotel and Casino. Do you prefer to stand and dance? Lounge and sip a cocktail? Share an intimate table? Make your choice and enjoy superior sound, lighting and performers … there’s not a bad seat in the house.

And of course, for the rest of you who aren’t a country music song, there’s gambling of every description. With all that on the table at Missouri’s casinos … deal me in.

Missouri’s Casinos:

Ameristar Kansas City: slots, table games, baccarat and poker, 10 restaurants, entertainment, 18-screen movie theater, accommodations

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, St. Charles: poker room, baccarat, slots and table games, 10 restaurants, spa, entertainment, accommodations

Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa, Riverside: slots and table games, six restaurants, spa, accommodations

Harrah’s Casino North, North Kansas City: slots, keno and table games, five restaurants, entertainment, accommodations

Hollywood Casino, Maryland Heights: Asian gaming, slots, table game and poker, seven restaurants, outdoor amphitheater with concert shuttle, accommodations

Century Casino Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau: poker room, slots and table games, three restaurants, entertainment

Isle of Capri Boonville, Boonville: slots and table games, three restaurants, entertainment, accommodations

Casino KC, Kansas City: slots, table game and video poker, three restaurants

Century Casino, Caruthersville: slots, video poker and table games, two restaurants, RV park

Lumiere Place, St. Louis: slots, table games and poker, seven restaurants, entertainment, accommodations

Mark Twain Casino, LaGrange (just north of Hannibal on the Mississippi River): slots and table games, two restaurants, RV park

River City Casino & Hotel, St. Louis: slots, table games and baccarat, seven restaurants, large music venue, accommodations

St. Jo Frontier, St. Joseph: slots, table games and video poker, two restaurants, entertainment

Written by Barbara Brueggeman for the 2019 Missouri Travel Guide. To see more articles like this one order a Missouri Travel Guide today.