Trying to plan a trip for my girlfriend's 21st next month, so a bunch of us are going to go to one of the riverboats.

Aztar, Grand Victoria, Belterra, and Caesars are the only 4 that we can get to relatively easily.  Do any of you have any comments about these 4?

I've been to Caesars and Belterra---and Belterra would get my business before Caesars.

I took my wife for a ride on the Casino Aztar boat back in the days when the boat actually left the dock.  My first impression was, "This boat is to casinos what trailers are to upscale homes."  Definitely a low rent facility compared to land based casinos.  Later on I visited the casino 'boats' on Lake Michigan and concluded that they are nothing more than places where slot machine addicts get their fix.  My advice is to take your girlfriend to someplace classy instead.  Go to a land based casino.

I've been to the Caesars riverboat only twice (both back in the first week of July). It also happens to be the only casino I've ever been to. The only thing I played is blackjack. I just couldn't bring myself to go for the big money though.

On the first visit I was $100 ahead after an hour and a half and quit. I spent the rest of the time checking the place out. My second visit four days later was hilarious. When we left the vehicle, I noted the time. I wound up $200 ahead and quit. We walked all the way back to the car to leave and I checked the time again. Exactly 55 minutes had elapsed since we left the car. I just couldn't bring myself to risk much to try to make it "bigtime". Too many firearms and accessories out there to be throwing money away in a casino...

A land based casino isn't an option, due to the distance.  I've been to dozens of real casinos, and have to agree that they are nicer than the boats. But...I can be at the boat in 75 minutes.