Bernard Goldstein (b. 1929) is a successful businessman who's best known as the "father of modern riverboat gambling."

Following a successful 40-year career in scrap metal recycling, river freight transportation and affiliated businesses as leader of the Alter Companies, Bernard “Bernie” Goldstein tested retirement before using his entrepreneurial spirit to start a second career, which earned him the moniker as the “father of riverboat gaming”. He was instrumental in lobbying for the original riverboat gaming legislation in Iowa and opened the nation’s first riverboat casino, the M/V Diamond Lady, which sailed from Bettendorf, Iowa on April 1, 1991.

Goldstein also opened the first riverboat casino in the South in Biloxi, Miss. on August 1, 1992. The boat was owned and operated by a newly-formed public company now known as Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Isle of Capri Casinos rapidly grew to become one of the largest regional gaming operators in the United States, and Goldstein now serves as the chairman of its board after serving as chief executive officer until 2008.

Prior to his leadership role with Isle of Capri Casinos, Goldstein was chairman of the board of the Steamboat Companies, which operated casino riverboats in Iowa, and chairman of the board and president of Casino Cruises, Inc., which opened and managed the gaming operations of the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in Peoria, Ill. through March 1993.