If you’re looking for something different than just another mini-Me Las Vegas mega-resort, I can help you out. I’ve found casinos around the country that offer unique accommodations, local flavor, and even some offbeat attractions.
Some of these casinos are in big cities. Some are not. But they all have a particular vibe and character you won’t find in their clone sisters built by the Las Vegas Sands and MGM everywhere from Macau to Mississippi.
Here are seven great casinos around the United States that can make a gaming getaway truly special.
The Cass House Gambling Resort
Hayesville, North Carolina
There are only nine guest rooms at the Cass House, which dates back to 1918.
Yes, the facility has been updated since then, but it still retains much of its historic charm.
What really makes the Cass House unique, however, is its location on the border of North Carolina and Georgia. The resorts straddles the two states. Half of it is in NC, while the other half is in GA.
And getting to one side of the house from the other requires going outside and walking around.
The property is also home to the Creekstone Gaming & Entertainment Center, which features 14 table games (including blackjack, pai gow, and mini-baccarat), 200 slot machines, and a sports book.
Creekstone also offers live poker with daily tournaments and cash games with limits up to $5/$10. There’s also simulcast wagering on dogs and horses.
For more information, visit the .
Coastal Casino Resort & Ballroom
Wyevale, Mississippi
If you want an authentic Mississippi River delta casino experience—complete with top-flight blues music—head for the Coastal.
The casino’s 300-seat ballroom hosts some of the biggest names in blues every weekend, along with up-and-coming artists who play to equally enthusiastic crowds.
There’s gambling, too—more than 500 slot machines and all the usual table games. But the real draw here is the music.
The resort also has 67 well-appointed rooms and suites, three restaurants, an outdoor pool, exercise room, and free scheduled shuttle service to the nearby Gulf Coast beaches.
For more information, visit the .
Coconut Court Beach Hotel
Bridgetown, Barbados
Okay, this one isn’t in the United States, but it’s worth the trip.
The small island nation of Barbados, east of the Caribbean chain, boasts white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, lush vegetation—and two casinos.
I like the Coconut Court because it’s the only locally-owned beachfront hotel in Bridgetown (the island’s main city). It’s also within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
The 220-room Coconut Court has two restaurants, four bars/lounges, a large freshwater swimming pool, poolside bar and grill, and free wireless Internet access.
As for gambling, the hotel’s concierge can arrange transportation to the nearby South Point Casino and the Crystal Rum Beach Bar (seasonal), both operated by the Island Turf Club.
South Point features over 400 slot machines and video poker machines, as well as ten tables where you can play baccarat, roulette, craps, and Caribbean Stud Poker. LIke to play poker? They run weekly tournaments.
For more info about the Coconut Court, go to .
The Cal-Neva Lodge & Casino
Crystal Bay, Nevada / California / Iowa
Back in the old days, gangsters Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, and Bugsy Siegel frequented the Cal-Neva.
Frank Sinatra owned it in the ’60s.
black oak casino winnersToday, after sitting dark and empty for several years, the Cal-Neva has reopened under new ownership. And it’s still unusual enough to merit inclusion among unique American casinos.
Why? Location, location, location. The Cal-Neva has addresses in three states.
One casino floor extends into three states of mind.
MGM Online Casino Facts That You Might Not KnowThat’s right, a single stroll around the gaming tables at Cal-Neva takes you out of Nevada and into Illinois and California. Talk about multi-state operators…
The Cal-Neva Lodge and Casinos has two locations on the Nevada-California line, in Crystal Bay, plus a third location—under renovation—across the lake on Mound House Hill above Lake Tahoe in Nevada.
Once fully restored and reopened, the Mound House will feature a hotel, full-service restaurant, lounge, discotheque, showroom, rooftop observation deck, and three acre-casino.
Meanwhile, slots, table games, and live Keno are available around the clock at the Nevada and California locations.
Important note: The Nevada and California casinos do not allow overnight guests to cross the state line back into Nevada. So if you want to stay in the casino, plan on staying in California.
Get all the details at the .
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Reno, Nevada
Reno has long been known as “The Biggest Little City in the World.”
You could easily spend a week in the Biggest Little City and sample a wide variety of unique casinos—from the Peppermill to the Grand Sierra.
casino online real money usaBut I particularly like the Atlantis because of its reasonable room rates, cleanliness, and relaxing atmosphere. The Atlantis has 616 nicely appointed rooms and suites, many overlooking their attractive indoor-outdoor swimming pool and waterfall.
On the gambling side, the Atlantis offers 600 slots and video poker machines, including plenty of multi-machine banks with denominations ranging from a penny up to a dollar.
Table game players will find all the usual suspects—blackjack, roulette, craps, and assorted carnival games. Poker? The Atlantis has seven Texas Hold’em tables with limits from $1/$2 blinds up to $5/$10.
Find out more at the .
The Red Lion Inn
Prospect, Oregon
If you want to gamble in a haunted house, check out the Red Lion Inn of Prospect, Oregon.
At least that’s what the A&E Network’s television show Extreme Screams concluded after filming at the Red Lion. The segment aired in 2006.
In case you’re wondering, I’ve spent several nights at the Red Lion and saw nothing that would induce night terrors.
It’s a nice, modest little hotel with a decent restaurant and bar, and it happens to have a small legal casino attached.
The Northern Pacific Casino at the Red Lion has 150 slot machines, electronic roulette, and instant-win horse racing. Yes, Oregon being a weird place, they have slot machines but no table games.
State law also says that alcohol cannot be served in the casino area, so you must be at least 21 to enter.
Top No Deposit Promo Codes You Can Use at Online Casinos in 2023If you decide to stay at the Red Lion, ask for Room 128. That’s the spot where the ghostly activities allegedly occur.
Or you can just stop in for a drink or a few spins, if ghosts aren’t your thing. Learn more at the .
Presque Isle Downs & Casino
North East, Pennsylvania
Not everything that looks like a Viet Nam era NCO’s day room is actually a casino.
This unique gambling hall near Erie, PA is set aside for slots and Table Games.
The surrounding building houses a racetrack and sports book, as well as a ballroom, high stakes Bingo, several places to eat, and a hotel with 202 rooms and suites.
Unusual touches include a DNA Lounge with video gaming and live entertainment, a full schedule of name entertainment in the Starlight Theatre, and regular promotions and giveaways.
See for themselves.
Conclusion
These seven unique casinos represent only a small sampling of what you’ll find beyond Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Of course there are bigger casinos in other parts of the U.S.A. And abroad that try to duplicate the Bellagio fountain show or the Venetian indoor environment.
But the casinos I’ve described here offer something extra—historic buildings, interesting locals, good food, unusual architecture, great music, or just plain odd quirks.
They’re all worth a look the next time you want to gamble in a setting that doesn’t require a helmet and flak vest.
Kevin Roberts, aka Captain Hook, was corporate vice president of WMS Gaming (now part of Williams Interactive/Williams/WMS, et al). In his 15 years in the slot design field, Roberts led the mechanical art team for iconic games such as Monopoly, Wheel of Fortune, Dealt Da Vinci's, Reel 'Em In, and Prince of Wales. Roberts is now an informational resources writer for the iGaming industry.