riverboat casino in indiana

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Indiana Riverboat Casinos

Riverboat Casinos in Indiana offer players a one of a kind unique gambling experience.

Indiana, like many other states, has recently expanded its gambling laws.  The Hoosier State has a rich history of gambling, with Indiana horse racing dating back to the 1800s. In Indiana, sports betting is legal, and residents can download mobile sports betting apps to wager on their favorite teams and sports on the go. For example, BetRivers Indiana is one of the online gambling sites currently available in the Hoosier State. As well as betting on sport, Indiana residents can now participate in casino gambling, but only at sweeps casinos.

In terms of casino gaming, there is also legislation that Sen. Jon Ford has introduced to bring new Indiana casino laws to fruition. The Indiana legislature accepted the proposals. Ford predicts that online casinos could bring in between $45-60 million  worth of tax revenue every year. For now, players can only access sweepstakes casinos in Indiana , with sites like Chumba Casino , Pulsz , BetRivers.net , and games like LuckyLand paving the way. These sites will still offer your favorite casino game, but you will be playing for virtual currency instead of real money.

The legalization of iGaming would build on the revenue generated by current land-based casinos in Indiana . Indiana gambling law authorizes ten land-based or riverboat casinos on the Ohio River or Lake Michigan, one physical casino in French Lick, and racinos at the two horse tracks in the state.

The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all gambling activity in the state. Whether you are playing at Caesars Indiana, Indiana Grand, or a table game at an online casino, you are gambling in a safe environment. This is the case for a land based casino and an online site.

This page covers everything you need to know about Riverboat casinos in Indiana. Whether you love slot machines, classic table games, or you fancy yourself as a pro at poker, these riverboat casino locations provide all of that and more.

Indiana’s Riverboat Casinos Background

Legal gambling in Indiana began in 1988 when voters approved a state lottery. The first. Consequently, the first lottery tickets went on sale in October the following year. The momentum for casinos in Indiana grew, and the Indiana Riverboat Gaming Act passed in 1993. This opened up the possibility for the construction of ten riverboat casinos, the first of which opened in 1995.

Recently, the largest riverboat casino in the world set sail for a new home. The  Caesars Southern Indiana,  formerly known as the Horseshoe Southern Indiana riverboat casino, moved locations to Alabama. The casino called the riverboat its home for over 20 years; however, in 2015, Indiana passed a law permitting riverboat casinos to move from the water to land-based properties.

Players in Indiana can now access games of chance at a mixture of tribal, land-based, and riverboat casinos in addition to playing slots at horse tracks. You don’t need to travel to Las Vegas to enjoy live dealers or the latest slot machine. You can experience all of that in Central and Northwest Indiana. You are eligible to play the lottery at track events if you are 18; however, the legal gambling age in Indiana to visit a casino is 21 .

Ohio River Casinos

If you are looking for a Cincinnati riverboat casino, unfortunately, riverboat gambling is illegal in the Buckeye State. However, neighboring Indiana is has a thriving casino resort scene. Some of the most prominent riverboat casinos on the Ohio River are a short drive from Cincinnati.

Belterra Casino Indiana

The Belterra is the leading gambling boat in Indiana, boasting two floors of the newest and most entertaining slot machines and table games. With the addition of side bets, whether you are gambling in Indianapolis, Louisville, or Cincinnati, players tend to choose Belterra more often than not.

Some of the games include  Three Card Poker  and  Caribbean Stud . In addition to the numerous games and entertainment, the Belterra Hotel and Resort offers spa treatments, golf, and indoor shopping. If you want a break from the buzz of the casino floor, the full-service spa provides numerous treatments to recharge your batteries.

When you visit Belterra, you will discover retail sports betting courtesy of the FanDuel sportsbook among the 42,000 square feet of gaming space.

Hollywood Casino Barge

The Hollywood Casino was formerly known as Argosy Casino. This riverboat gambling facility and hotel is located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It boasts 270,000 square feet of fun and entertainment, including  150,000 square feet of gaming space. There are 88  table games to choose from, in addition to 41 poker tables. The casino has one of the best poker rooms in Indiana .

If slots are more your thing, there are over 3,000 titles for you to play at your pleasure. Make sure you check the casino schedule to see what is in store regarding entertainment. The Hollywood casino lives up to its name, bringing in several entertainment acts every night. The onsite hotel provides luxury accommodation and includes restaurants such as the Final Cut Steakhouse.

Sports betting fans can also place bets via the retail sportsbook located in the casino, provided by the Barstool Sportsbook .

Grand Victoria Casino & Resort

The Rising Star Casino Resort is known for its excellent links golf course. This beautifully designed course features panoramic views of the Ohio River Valley . If you want some gambling action, the live casino floor has over 1,000 slot machines comprising fun themed reels. Additionally, the resort has over 200 hotel rooms, including suites, complete with an indoor pool.

If you want to relax after a day of gambling, the Grand Theatre offers superb entertainment, with favorites such as David Cassidy and Huey Lewis and the News having performed there.

Caesars sportsbook is available for players in the casino looking to wager on their favorite sports and team.

Lake Michigan Casinos

The Ameristar Casino Hotel is one of the most convenient land-based properties in Indiana. It is 25 miles from Chicago and close to Interstate highways. Additionally, if you are a Chicago resident, you can take advantage of a free shuttle bus service that runs from the city center. If you are a fan of Baccarat, you are in luck, as the Ameristar has a room dedicated to the game.

Ameristar is part of the Pinnacle Entertainment group. Consequently, the casino has a private club for high rollers with free food and drink.

Another Lake Michigan casino,  the Majestic Star Casino , features numerous quirky slots, including video poker penny slots and table games. Additionally, there is a dedicated poker room that sponsors daily tournaments and promotions. There is no hotel connected to the Majestic Star; however, there is a connected shuttle bus service.

The Horseshoe Hammond similarly does not have a dedicated casino hotel but does have a free shuttle bus service. This land-based property has stunning lake view suites spanning more than 1000 square feet. The gaming floor contains slots, table games, and poker rooms.

There is something very nostalgic about stepping on to a riverboat casino. No need for the bright lights and towering buildings of Vegas, Indiana riverboat casinos provide a one of a kind gambling experience for all who visit.

List of Indiana Riverboat Casinos

Below is a list of the riverboat casinos available in Indiana:

• Beltrerra Casino Resort
• Caesars Southern Indiana
• Grand Victoria Casino Resort
• Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg
• Ameristar East Chicago
• Horseshoe Casino
• Bally’s Evansville (Formerly Tropicana Evansville)
• Blue Chip Casino
• Grand Victoria Casino

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StatesCasinos » Indiana Casinos » Vevay » Belterra Casino and Resort

Belterra Casino and Resort - Casinos – Vevay, Indiana Casinos

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Belterra is an impressive state-of-the-art riverboat casino, with 38,000 square feet of pure excitement and over 1,350 of the latest and most exciting slot and video poker machines with 47 table games. Belterra Riverboat proudly displays the most in-house progressives and some of the largest jackpots of any Indiana Casino. Machine denominations range from two-cent to $100.

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4 story riverboat casino - Caesars Southern Indiana Casino

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Really nice. I dont like the smoke inside the casino but it was nice. Good experience the people... read more

We were traveling across country and this was on our way. We had comped rooms so decided to give... read more

4 story riverboat casino

The first floor is non-smoking...but just slots and tournament tables, there are 4 stories in all. Mostly slot machines...no free drinks while gambling, although there is a soda fountain on the third floor located near the bar that is complimentary. Small bottles of water are also complimentary from the waitresses. Mostly only one table for each game except for craps, and there were quite a few of them. Went there on a weekend and was dissapointed because the lowest table minimum was $10...was hoping for a $5 minimum table. Was playing on a hot craps table and they upped the minimum to $15...they said it was because it was Saturday night but that was baloney because ALL the remaining tables for ALL games that were $10 minimum earlier were still $10 minimum when I left 4 hours later! Was there for 2 nights and lost, of course...but that's gambling. Much rather play in Vegas, but when in Rome.......Most of theDealers and pit bosses were very nice, helpful and a lot of fun.

The casino was fun and had lots of slot machines and poker tables. The down side was the smoke smell as soon as you walked in the door. As a non smoker it hit me like a ton of bricks. The top floor where the resaurants are was the worst. The smell is even in the nonsmoking areas. We only stay a short while because it was so bad.

What I like about Horseshoe is that although they are part of the mega Harrahs/Caesars/Total Rewards casino they still are true to Jack Binion's values of treating gamblers right.

The casino itself is not clean and the employees are not the friendliest. Have had better experiences at French Lick

Old casino, on a barge. Needs to be updated, or replaced. I lost, wife broke even on slots. Poor location miles away from any major highways. Hotel attached to it is good, but a long (indoor) walk from the casino.

This casino is the smokiest and "non winning" casino you will ever visit. The slot machines are very hard to hit and when you do happen to hit a bonus, GOODLUCK..you will be very dissapointed in your payout ! I bet between 1.00 and 2.00 a spin and get 3.00 to 5.00 on my bonus ! This boat needs some competition, it is always crowded and no one seems to be winning. Take your money and your lungs some where else.

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Rising Star Casino Hotel & The Lodge boast 294 well appointed and comfortable rooms. Our unique resort, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River, includes an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center and free wireless internet.

Our guest rooms at the Rising Star Casino Hotel offer either one king bed or two queen beds with scenic views of our riverboat casino or our Links Golf Course. We welcome families, and our in-room entertainment comes with a choice of pay-per-view movies or video game rentals. Disability features are available. Please ask the Reservationist or Front Desk personnel for details.

Rates and Reservations are subject to availability.  $50.00 (refundable) credit card deposit is required with all reservations.  

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Indiana News

For $16 million, indiana’s first riverboat casino can be yours.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Indiana’s first riverboat casino is up for sale again.

New Orleans Paddlewheels Inc. has announced it is pursuing a sale of the Riverboat Louis Armstrong . That riverboat initially served as Casino Aztar’s gambling riverboat on the Ohio River in Evansville. 

The boat, originally named City of Evansville, opened as Indiana’s first riverboat casino in 1995. In 2017, the casino, then operating as Tropicana Evansville, moved to land-based gambling and closed the riverboat.

The riverboat was sold to the New Orleans-based group, where it underwent renovations and opened as the city’s “most luxurious, and most unique concert and events venue on the Mississippi River.”

“In light of the recent changes to the local tourism market and hospitality industry, especially the ones that have resulted in the cancelling of future conventions in New Orleans, New Orleans Paddlewheels, Inc., has decided to pursue the potential sale of the Riverboat Louis Armstong,” company president Walter Reuther Jr. said in a statement. “Although this is somewhat unexpected, the change in circumstances arising out of the significant post-COVID changes has necessitated this path, and the sale of the vessel will permit the company to redeploy assets and personnel in other areas.”

The company is reportedly seeking $16 million for the 3,000-passenger riverboat. A Facebook video released in January 2022 features a tour of the riverboat .

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Casinos in Indiana

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.

There might not be as many casinos in Indiana as in some other states, however those looking to play slots, blackjack and other casino games should find that there’s still something available to them. ... There are 11 casinos in total, ranging from commercial casinos through to riverboat casinos, and we’ve created a helpful IN casinos map further down this page so you can find them easily. As well as the Indiana casinos map, we’ve also included other important details about gambling in Indiana, such as information about taxation on winnings and what the laws surrounding gambling in the state are.

• Indiana Casino List & Map
• Indiana Gambling and Games
• Indiana Legal Situation
• Indiana Resorts and Trips
• Need more info? FAQ & About IN

Indiana Casino Map - List of Gambling Locations

When you look below, you’ll find an Indiana casino map, highlighting all the places you’ll find casinos in Indiana. These casinos range from large resorts through to more intimate settings, plus a couple mix horse racing into the action. Why not take a look at the map below and find the Indiana casino that’s just right for you?

• Best Casinos (3)
• Biggest Casinos (3)
• Indian Casinos (1)
• Racinos (2)
• Cruise Ships/Riverboats (2)
• To See the Full List Casinos (11)

The Best Casinos in Indiana

The Biggest Casinos in Indiana

Are There Indian Casinos in Indiana?

There is only one Indian casino in Indiana, and it’s the Four Winds South Bend which, as the name suggests, is found in the city of South Bend. Indian casinos don’t fall under state law to the same extent as other casinos and this has allowed them to proliferate in other states. You might also hear Indian casinos referred to as Native American casinos or tribal casinos.

You’ll find two racinos in Indiana, both of which are part of the Caesars group, but what exactly are they? Well, they combine horse racing and casino into one, offering a complete gambling experience. It’s possible to place a bet on the horses, before then changing focus and heading into the casino, where various games are often found.

Are There Cruise Ship or Riverboat Casinos in Indiana?

When casinos were legalized in Indiana in 1993, the law stated that they had to be on water, except for the resort at French Lick. Since then though, the rules have been relaxed, meaning that many casinos have moved onto dry land. You will still be able to find a number of riverboat casinos in Indiana though, all of which are now stationary. Many are moored outside other facilities, including hotels.

Full Indiana Casino List

Looking for a complete list of casinos in Indiana? If so, you should check out the list below, which shows every casino in the state, from riverboat casinos through to racinos. We’ll add to this list if any new casinos are ever opened in Indiana.

Expected New Casinos

There are not currently any plans for any new casinos in Indiana. We will update this page accordingly if any plans to create any new gambling towns in Indiana are announced.

Gambling in Indiana

Below, you’ll find some key facts about gambling in Indiana, from the minimum age to gamble, through to whether there are any bet limits. Take a look below to familiarize yourself with things before you visit one of the casinos in Indiana.

Casino Games in Indiana

Quite simply, you’ll find pretty much every casino game around at the casinos in Indiana, from slot machines all the way through to table games, such as blackjack and roulette. Sports betting has also recently been legalized in the state, with many of the casinos having dedicated areas for sports betting fans. Check out a small selection of the gambling options available in Indiana casinos below.

• Wheel of Fortune
• Riches with Daikoku
• Big Bang Theory
• Triple Sparkle
• 19000+ slot machines
• Types: Traditional Reel, Video Reel, Video Poker Free Slot Tournaments
• Popular providers: Aristocrat, Bally
• Crazy 4 Poker
• 3 Card Poker
• Let It Ride Progressive
• Limit Hold’em
• 5 Card Poker
• 7 Card Poker
• Pot Limit Omaha
• 122 poker tables in the state
• American Roulette
• Double Zero Roulette
• Rapid Roulette
• Double Deck Pitch Blackjack
• Blackjack Switch
• Crapless Craps
• Video Poker
• Mini-Baccarat
• EZ Baccarat
• Pai Gow Tiles
• Horse Racing
• Legal to bet on all sports in Indiana, in retail venues or using a mobile

Gambling Legal Situation in Indiana

Taxation of winnings.

Indiana has a flat income tax rate of 3.23% and everyone winning money, regardless of the amount, is expected to pay tax on their win. What’s more, winners will need to pay federal tax of 24% when winning anything over a specific amount (this varies by game – for slots it is $1,200) or when winning a sum of 300x or more the size of a bet.

Indiana Gambling Laws

Casino gambling has been legal in Indiana since 1993, when the Indiana Riverboat Act was passed. This legalized casinos, but only on water. This law was repealed in 1999, allowing casinos to set up on land. The most recent change to Indiana gambling law came in 2019, when sports betting was legalized in the state. Take a look below to find out about the major laws passed in relation to gambling in Indiana.

Prohibits most forms of gambling

Legalized riverboat casinos in Indiana. Was repealed in 1999 as laws relaxed around casinos

Legalized sports betting in Indiana

As with most states, gambling in Indiana has a long history. Take a look at the timeline below to see some of the most significant dates for gambling in the state.

1851 Indiana Constitution bans almost all forms of gambling in the state. While the Constitution only specifically banned lotteries, this was seen by courts as a ban on nearly all forms of gambling.

1988 Voters in the state approve a constitutional amendment, allowing a lottery to be set up in Indiana.

1989 Pari-mutuel betting was legalized. Hoosier Park (now Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino) opened in 1994 and off-track betting parlors were first seen in 1995.

1993 Casinos are legalized. Land-based casinos in French Lick and Gary are permitted, plus riverboat casinos are allowed on the Ohio River. Riverboat casinos on Lake Michigan and Patoka Lake were later added to the law. These laws were later relaxed, allowing more land-based casinos.

2019 Indiana legalizes sports betting, both online and offline.

Upcoming Changes in the Gambling Regulation

At the moment, there are no upcoming changes to gambling regulation in Indiana. The state has only just legalized sports betting, so it is probable that this will be allowed to settle before any new gambling regulation is even considered.

Indiana Casino Resorts and Trips

If you’re looking for something more than a casino, you should consider visiting one of the Indiana casino resorts. One of the most popular ways to visit the best casino resorts in Indiana is by using an organized tour. We’ve listed the top three casino resorts in Indiana below, plus we’ve also found three great trips to Indiana casinos. However, if you like to travel, then we recommend checking out our top 10 casinos list , where you might just find your next holiday destination.

Casino Resorts

Casino resorts are massively popular, as they don’t just have casinos – they also offer hotels, various other entertainment options and, in many cases, many places to eat and drink. Many choose to spend the entire day at one, while others turn it into a vacation, booking a room for a few nights. Take a look below to see the three best Indiana casino resorts.

Casino Trips

Looking to visit one of the casino resorts in Indiana? If so, you should really consider a casino trip. These are organized excursions to the best Indiana casino resorts and include transport to and from the venue. Many also include little bonuses too, such as free play on slot machines or meal vouchers. We’ve listed three of the best trips to Indiana casinos below.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide only accurate and up-to-date information, please be aware that casinos.us shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the offer packages or other details listed.

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Super Bowl 58: Why the Chiefs and 49ers are staying in Lake Las Vegas, not on The Strip

The Chiefs beat the 49ers in overtime to win Super Bowl LVIII . 

LAS VEGAS — It’s not unusual for the NFL to be meticulous in its security planning leading up to the Super Bowl. For an event of its magnitude, it only makes sense.

In preparing for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, however, the league also appears to have been strategic in deciding where its participating teams would reside for the week. The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers won’t be staying anywhere near the iconic Las Vegas Strip.

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Leading up to the Feb. 11 game, the NFL, Las Vegas city officials and corporate sponsors have endlessly pushed all of the positives that’ll come from hosting the city’s first Super Bowl. It’s expected to be a financial boon, is projected to bring in hundreds of thousands of tourists and is surely the most significant statement to date that Vegas has evolved into a major player in the sports world.

Once taboo, Las Vegas preparing to 'pull out all the stops' as Super Bowl host

But before Sin City became a burgeoning sports landscape, the city was effectively blackballed for decades by professional sports leagues because of the negative stigma that came with the city’s off-field attractions, like gambling, nightlife and other not-safe-for-work activities.

Events such as the 2007 NBA All-Star Game seemed to justify that narrative. It resulted in over 400 arrests, including then-NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left a strip club security guard paralyzed.

Las Vegas businesspeople were eventually able to push through, however, as the city became home to NHL , WNBA , NFL and (soon) MLB franchises in addition to hosting large-scale events like the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with the help of the proliferation of legal sports betting. Still, the dark side of the city’s many trappings is something of which professional sports leagues remain astutely aware.

The Niners have landed in Las Vegas 🛬 #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/sFUQ1rhkMw — NFL (@NFL) February 5, 2024

That’s probably part of why the Chiefs and 49ers , after landing in Vegas on Sunday, had a decent trip to get to their hotels. The Chiefs will be staying at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa while the 49ers will reside at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. The properties are located about 25 miles east of The Strip.

“We traditionally have teams stay a distance from the stadium and from a city where there’s room enough for the club and family,” NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said last week. “Most clubs prefer a quieter environment. Obviously, they’ve got their eyes set on their one specific goal, and any distraction during that week is a distraction they don’t want to deal with. So, I don’t think that it’s too terribly different from previous years.”

Lake Las Vegas — yes, there are bodies of water in the desert — is a residential and resort development built around a 320-acre dammed lake within the suburb of Henderson, Nev. The manmade lake is connected to Lake Mead, which is a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam that draws its water source from the Colorado River. Typically, the drive from Lake Las Vegas to The Strip takes about 30 to 45 minutes one way.

In 1965, actor J. Carlton Adair acquired the land that surrounds Lake Las Vegas for the purposes of constructing a dam, lake and resorts. It’s far from the most popular attraction — Lake at Las Vegas Joint Venture, LLC filed for bankruptcy in 2008 — but the NFL picking hotels there for its Super Bowl participants does make sense.

There are casinos in Lake Las Vegas — NFL employees are barred from visiting casinos or gambling in any form during Super Bowl week — just like everywhere else in the state, but it’s largely a place meant for wholesome activities. There are golf courses, spas, an aqua park, lakeside dining, shopping areas, boating, kayaking and hiking, but it’s short on nightclubs and bars.

Lake Las Vegas is essentially a quiet area surrounded by nature that is a draw for visitors who want to relax. In theory, that should keep players, coaches and other team personnel from getting caught up in what Las Vegas has to offer at night.

Just like they would for any other game, the Chiefs and 49ers will enforce curfews at their hotels. The teams will spend seven or eight nights in Vegas for the Super Bowl and hope to emerge from the jam-packed weekend without incident.

Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl 58 expert picks, odds: Early predictions mostly with KC

On Monday evening, each team participated in “Super Bowl Opening Night” at Allegiant Stadium. Fans were present for the glorified media day as Chiefs and 49ers players and coaches participated in interviews with the media and took team photos.

. @Chiefs QB @PatrickMahomes is LIVE from Las Vegas! #SBOpeningNight https://t.co/jDNAnDwUu1 — NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2024

While the teams conducted meetings Sunday and Monday, game preparation ramps up when practices begin Tuesday. The Chiefs will be practicing at their AFC West rival Raiders’ team headquarters in Henderson. The 49ers were scheduled to practice on UNLV’s campus, but concerns about the soft fields forced them to reconsider their options. Before they practice, coaches Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan and their players will participate in interviews with the media at their respective hotels.

The Chiefs and 49ers will repeat that routine Wednesday and Thursday. Although they practice at roughly the same time Tuesday, the Chiefs opted for morning practices Wednesday and Thursday, while the 49ers will practice in the afternoon.

Neither team will have full practices or media availability Friday or Saturday, but they’ll be allowed to have meetings and walk-throughs as they finalize their game-planning process. Sunday, of course, is game day. The Chiefs and 49ers will face off at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 PT.

The losing team will likely head home Sunday evening, but the winning coach and Super Bowl MVP will have to stick around for a news conference at 8:30 a.m. PT Monday at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. They’ll likely be celebrating Sunday evening and will be free to venture out and explore what Vegas nightlife has to offer, however, so it’ll be interesting to see what time that news conference actually starts.

The NFL can live with a little tardiness, but it will be aiming, at all costs, to avoid Super Bowl LVIII becoming an embarrassment. The league has grown familiar with Las Vegas in recent years through the Raiders , having the city host two Pro Bowls and bringing an NFL Draft to town, so officials are confident they know what to expect. The Super Bowl, though, will be the greatest test yet.

“It’s the same as it is for any other game in any other situation, which is making sure we’re doing all that we can to protect the integrity of the game,” Miller said when asked if there was any concern that came with the Super Bowl being in Las Vegas. “The rules associated with gambling have been made clear to players and coaches, league and club personnel and everybody else so much so that they should be prepared for anything that Las Vegas has to offer in that realm. While Las Vegas is a symbol because it’s had sports gambling for quite some time, it’s also a very sophisticated city and a mature city as it relates to engagement with the NFL and other sports at this point.

“That makes us very comfortable playing the game there.”

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Tashan Reed is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Las Vegas Raiders. He previously covered Florida State football for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, he covered high school and NAIA college sports for the Columbia Missourian, Mizzou football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball for SBNation blog Rock M Nation, wrote stories focused on the African-American community for The St. Louis American and was a sports intern at the Commercial Appeal in Memphis through the Sports Journalism Institute. Follow Tashan on Twitter @ tashanreed