The Missouri side of Kansas City has four casinos, all on the Missouri River and all descended from the state's riverboat gaming laws. Ameristar is the biggest floor, Harrah's has the poker, Argosy shares the top rating with Ameristar, and Bally's is the one with the most confusing name history. Two of the four have also changed in ways that directory listings have not caught up with, so this guide starts with what has changed. Players must be 21.
What the listings get wrong
Ameristar has no poker room. It used to run the largest room in the market at fifteen tables, but that room closed in March 2020 and has not reopened. Many sites still list it. If poker is the point of your trip, go to Harrah's.
Bally's has had four names. The boat launched in 1996 as the Flamingo Hilton, became Isle of Capri, was renamed Casino KC in 2020 and became Bally's Kansas City in August 2021. Older reviews and directions may use any of those names.
Side by side
| Ameristar Kansas City | Harrah's North Kansas City | Argosy Riverside | Bally's Kansas City | |
| Where | Kansas City, Missouri side | North Kansas City | Riverside, just north | Near downtown |
| Slots | 1,900+ | 1,100+ | About 1,100 | Nearly 900 |
| Table games | 59 | 46 | 38 | 20+ |
| Poker | None since 2020 | 15-table WSOP room, smoke-free | Not noted | Not noted |
| Extras | 18-screen cinema | Largest pit in the metro | Hotel, spa, high-limit room | Two-level riverboat, $50m renovation |
| Google rating | 4.1, 16,400+ reviews | 3.9, 13,000+ reviews | 4.1, 10,000+ reviews | 3.6, nearly 7,000 reviews |
Ameristar Kansas City: the biggest floor
Ameristar is the largest casino floor on the Missouri side of the metro, run by Boyd Gaming since 2018. It carries more than 1,900 slot and video poker machines and 59 table games, and adds an 18-screen cinema. It rates 4.1 from more than 16,400 Google reviewers, level with Argosy at the top of the metro. Ameristar review.
Harrah's North Kansas City: the card room
Harrah's is the Kansas City floor for card players. Google now lists it as Harrah's Kansas City, though it has not moved. Its 46 table games make it the largest pit in the metro, with mini baccarat, craps, Texas Shootout and Pai Gow Poker alongside blackjack and roulette. The big pit keeps games open at lower minimums later into the evening. The 15-table WSOP poker room is smoke-free and is the only serious room left in the metro. Harrah's review.
Argosy Riverside: the working riverboat
Argosy sits on the water at Riverside, just north of the city, and is the most-searched casino in Missouri outside St. Louis. It carries about 1,100 slots and 38 tables on a compact riverboat floor, plus a high-limit room with more than 50 slot games. Google now drops "Spa" from its name, but the spa is still open. Argosy review.
Bally's Kansas City: the renamed one
Bally's is a two-level riverboat near downtown with nearly 900 slots and more than 20 table games after a $50 million renovation. At 3.6 it is the lowest-rated of the four, but it is the closest to downtown. Bally's review.
Which one to choose
- Poker: Harrah's, the only serious room left.
- The most slots, or a film after: Ameristar.
- A hotel and spa night: Argosy.
- Closest to downtown: Bally's.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ameristar Kansas City have a poker room?
No. It closed in March 2020 and has not reopened. Harrah's North Kansas City has the WSOP poker room.
What was Bally's Kansas City called before?
Flamingo Hilton, then Isle of Capri, then Casino KC, before becoming Bally's in August 2021.
What is the biggest casino in Kansas City?
Ameristar has the largest floor on the Missouri side, with more than 1,900 machines.
How old do you have to be to gamble in Kansas City casinos?
For sweepstakes options you can play from home in Missouri, see our best sweepstakes casinos in Missouri guide.
