Amelia Belle Casino is a docked riverboat casino in Amelia, Louisiana, near Morgan City. Its appeal is a straightforward outing built around slots, table games, and Bayou Cafe, rather than a full resort itinerary. I see it as a better fit for visitors already nearby than for travelers planning an entire casino vacation. The main trade-off is overnight convenience: there is no attached hotel, so lodging and the ride back require separate plans.
Amelia Belle Casino quick facts
| Address | 500 Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, Louisiana 70340 |
|---|---|
| Property type | Docked riverboat casino |
| Corporate parent | Boyd Gaming Corporation |
| Gaming licensee | Belle of Orleans, LLC |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Gaming | Slots and table games |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | No |
| Attached hotel | No |
| Dining | Bayou Cafe |
| Phone | 985-631-1777 |
| Website | Official Amelia Belle website |
What kind of casino is Amelia Belle?
The riverboat is the destination, not your transportation. Amelia Belle is a docked casino, not a sightseeing cruise with a departure time. Think of it as a gambling stop while visiting Amelia or the Morgan City area.
Boyd Gaming Corporation is the ultimate corporate parent, while Belle of Orleans, LLC, holds the gaming license. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board’s February 20, 2025, meeting record documents a five-year license renewal commencing March 24, 2025. That establishes regulatory approval, not a guarantee of daily opening hours.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Riverboat gaming license renewal | The Louisiana Gaming Control Board approved a five-year license renewal commencing March 24, 2025, subject to the license’s existing conditions. This documents regulatory approval, not a guarantee of daily opening hours. |
| License renewal vote outcome | The board confirmed that the renewal motion carried and the license was renewed at its February 20, 2025, meeting. |
| Licensed entity and ultimate parent | The licensed entity is Belle of Orleans, LLC, doing business as Amelia Belle Casino. Boyd Gaming Corporation is the ultimate parent through intermediate subsidiaries. |
| Weather-related operating interruptions | At the February 2025 renewal hearing, the general manager reported weather-related disruptions during the preceding year and said the casino had reopened. Visitors should confirm operations when severe weather affects travel. |
Research references: lgcb.dps.louisiana.gov.
Method: Published information collected 2026-10-16. The source observations remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
My practical takeaway: an established gaming license and the availability of your preferred game are separate questions. A call before a special trip is still worthwhile.
Casino games: Slots, video poker, and tables
Slots and table gaming are the core attractions. Boyd’s property gallery shows both, along with a bar and Bayou Cafe. I would approach Amelia Belle as a gambling-first property, rather than count on a long list of activities for companions who do not play.
Slots and video poker
Pay attention to the total slot wager, not just the denomination printed on the machine. A penny denomination does not necessarily mean a small bet once credits and lines are included.
If video poker is your main reason for visiting, ask about the current selection before driving over. Once there, read the actual pay table: a familiar game name alone is not enough to evaluate the machine.
I would not use jackpot stories or losing-session complaints to judge whether the slots are generous. Neither tells you what your session will cost. Bring a fixed gambling allowance, and keep meal and transportation money outside it.
Table games
Check the current lineup, operating schedule, and posted minimums. Having tables does not mean every game is staffed throughout casino hours.
If your visit depends on a particular game or rule, ask that specific question. “Will my game be running when I arrive?” is more useful than simply asking whether the casino has table games.
Poker room and sportsbook
Amelia Belle has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room and no on-property retail sportsbook. Video poker, poker-themed house games, sports televisions, and mobile betting products are not the same facilities.
Hotel and overnight planning
Amelia Belle has no attached hotel. For an overnight outing, book separate accommodation in the Amelia or Morgan City area and decide how you will get back after gambling.
That changes the value comparison with a casino resort. A cheaper room elsewhere is not automatically the cheaper trip once transportation and meals are included. More importantly, you cannot simply take an elevator upstairs when you are ready to call it a night.
Bayou Cafe, bars, and entertainment
Bayou Cafe is the dining option to keep in mind. Treat it as a convenient meal break, not the foundation of a restaurant-focused getaway. Check the current menu and kitchen hours before planning dinner around it, especially if you expect to arrive late.
Boyd’s June 2022 Bayou Cafe grab-and-go menu included boudin, chicken-and-sausage gumbo, and seafood gumbo. Those are historical examples, not a promise of today’s selection or prices.
The property gallery also shows a bar. For entertainment, consult the current calendar rather than assume a weekend visit includes a show. Casino hours, kitchen hours, and event schedules are separate things.
Is Amelia Belle better for a short stop or an overnight trip?
| Your plan | Practical assessment |
|---|---|
| A few hours of gambling while nearby | The clearest fit. Check dining hours if you want a meal. |
| A visit built around one table game | Call about the game, staffing, and minimums before leaving. |
| An overnight casino break | Plan separate lodging, and compare the complete trip cost and return transportation. |
| A getaway with nongambling companions | A resort with substantial nongaming amenities is likely the better choice. |
For a broader comparison, see our guide to Louisiana casinos.
Directions and practical visitor information
Use 500 Lake Palourde Road, Amelia, Louisiana 70340 for navigation. If you are relying on a taxi or rideshare, arrange the return journey before settling in rather than assuming an immediate late-night pickup.
- Hours: Confirm the day’s casino and dining schedules before leaving.
- Age and identification: The minimum gambling age is 21. Bring valid government-issued photo identification.
- Parking and accessibility: Ask about current parking arrangements and step-free access if either affects your visit.
- Smoking: If smoke exposure is a deal-breaker, ask about the current policy and any physically separate nonsmoking space.
- Rewards: Ask the players desk about enrollment, qualifying play, and property-specific offers. Do not exceed your budget to chase a benefit.
- Weather: Check operating updates when severe weather affects the area.
At the February 2025 renewal hearing, the general manager reported weather-related interruptions during the preceding year and said the casino had reopened. That is a reason to check before a weather-affected drive, not evidence of a current closure.
Our take: Who should visit Amelia Belle?
Amelia Belle makes the most sense for visitors already near Amelia or Morgan City who want a riverboat casino outing centered on slots, table games, and a meal break. I would choose it for a short gambling stop, not as the centerpiece of a resort vacation. Travelers who want extensive dining, an upstairs hotel room, or substantial activities for nongambling companions should choose a fuller-service property; here, separate lodging and return transportation are part of the bargain.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to gamble at Amelia Belle?
You must be at least 21. Bring valid government-issued photo identification.
Does Amelia Belle Casino have a hotel?
No. Overnight visitors need separate accommodation in the surrounding area.
Does Amelia Belle have a sportsbook or poker room?
No. It has neither an on-property retail sportsbook nor a dedicated player-versus-player poker room.
Is Amelia Belle a cruise?
No. It is a docked riverboat casino, not a sightseeing cruise.
Is Amelia Belle worth a special trip?
I would recommend it more readily to someone already nearby. For a longer journey, confirm the games and dining schedule, then weigh separate lodging and transportation against the convenience of a casino resort.
Sources and research date
Research compiled October 16, 2026. Sources linked above include Louisiana Gaming Control Board proceedings and Boyd Gaming’s property materials. Gaming selections, operating schedules, and offers can change, so check directly with the property before traveling.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room or on-site sportsbook.