Las Vegas is the largest U.S. casino market. Dozens more exist. This ranges from beach locations, to former mountain ghost towns to urban areas. Here are some of the unique American casino markets worth visiting.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City was the second jurisdiction with legalized casinos. While it has seen better days, gamblers should still check it out.
Atlantic City has two distinct markets within its borders. One is on the Boardwalk. That is where Bally’s, Caesars, Hard Rock, Ocean Resort, Resorts, and Tropicana are located. The other area is known as the Marina District. Borgata, Golden Nugget, and Harrah’s are there.
Most Atlantic City blackjack pays 3/2. Many casinos have 99% or better video poker. Slot returns tend to be higher than other markets. This is all due to fierce competition in the market, especially from Pennsylvania, where 3/2 blackjack and other favorable rules are codified.
Atlantic City has unique roulette rules. At double zero tables, players making even money wagers receive half back when the pill lands on zero or double zero. Unlike Las Vegas, this is not available on any single zero tables.
In the winter months, there is little to do besides gambling. The summertime offers many outdoor events and amusement options.
Deadwood
Deadwood is in far western South Dakota. The closest airport is in Rapid City, which is an hour away. This small town offers about 30 gaming establishments. These range from restaurants with a few slot machines up to mid-sized resorts. Smoking is banned in all Deadwood casinos.
Deadwood was a mostly abandoned mining town before legalized gambling. It is full of Wild West history. Wild Bill Hickok was famously shot at a poker table at Saloon No. 10 in 1876. Saloon No. 10 moved across the street and has the chair Hickok was sitting in when he died, among other historical Deadwood artifacts. The poker room pays out 25% of the bad beat jackpot when a player makes two black aces and eights with the nine of diamonds. Legend says that was the hand Hickok held when he was killed. It is known as the Dead Man’s Hand.
Deadwood betting limits are low. Most casinos still have $5 table games, including 3/2 blackjack games. Saloon No. 10 deals 3/2 single deck blackjack that allows doubling down on 10 and 11. Poker rooms deal spread limit poker with $1 and $2 blinds, often with $10 and $20 max bets. Desdwood has a $1000 bet limit.
Most winter entertainment revolves around gambling. There are some winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling. Summertime expands to tours of local abandoned mines, the Mount Mariah Cemetery where Deadwood characters are buried, parades, and rodeos.
Colorado
Colorado has three commercial casino markets. Black Hawk and Central City are adjoining casino towns west of Denver. Cripple Creek is west of Colorado Springs. All three were abandoned gold mining towns before gambling was legalized in 1991. Smoking is banned in Colorado casinos. One Black Hawk slot hall considers itself a tobacco shop to get around the ban.
When Colorado casinos first opened, the bet limit was $5. Table games required skill, meaning baccarat, craps, and roulette were not permitted. The first change saw bet limits increase to $100. The next removed the bet limit while adding baccarat, craps, and roulette.
Black Hawk & Central City
Black Hawk is far the largest Colorado casino town. All major Colorado gaming resorts are there, including Ameristar, Horseshoe, and Monarch. These resorts are closest to where guests arriving from Denver enter the city. The other part of Black Hawk resembles an old downtown area. These smaller casinos do not have hotels. Four of Colorado’s five poker rooms are in Black Hawk. Most table game and high-limit action are here. Wild Card Saloon and Bull Durham Casino offer coin slots.
Central City is up the mountain from Black Hawk. It is much smaller. Two hotels are available. Three casinos have table games, though only two open regularly. Famous Bonanza has dozens of old-fashioned coin slots. A free shuttle connects Black Hawk and Central City.
Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek is the other Colorado casino town. All casinos are along one road. While Golden Nugget and Chamonix made recent investments to turn those properties into small resorts, the town mostly has slot halls. The best video poker in Colorado casino towns is in Cripple Creek. That is 16/10 Deuces Wild, also known as Not-So-Ugly-Ducks. Coin video poker games and slots are available at Colorado Grande and Johnny Nolans.
Mississippi Gulf Coast
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has casinos in three cities. Most are in Biloxi. The others are in Bay St. Louis and Gulfport. The area was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. All but one casino boat was destroyed. After that, Mississippi started allowing casinos to be on land near the ocean to prevent future catastrophic losses.
Beau Rivage is the flagship of Biloxi. Some call it Bellagio on the beach. It was designed using Steve Wynn’s expertise. Beau Rivage, like Bellagio, is operated by MGM Resorts. Palace Casino offers a 100% smoke-free casino. Other casinos include IP, Harrah’s, Golden Nugget, and Hollywood Casino.
Some of the best blackjack in the country is dealt in Biloxi. It is full of double-deck blackjack games that stand on soft 17 and permit re-splitting aces. Most casinos have 99% video poker.
Reno
Reno is Nevada’s second-largest casino market behind Las Vegas. The market includes Sparks, a Reno suburb. It has some of the loosest slot payouts in the country. Most casinos have full-pay video poker, including some 100% payback games. Most blackjack pays 3/2, including single-deck games. However, those games only allow doubling down on 10 and 11 and not after splitting. The multi-deck games often do not allow double down after splitting.
While you are in Reno, you may want to check out Lake Tahoe. The gambling is better on the North Shore. However, there are many views and attractions on every side to enjoy.
Laughlin
Laughlin is on the southern tip of Nevada along the Colorado River. It has nine casinos in the main part of the casino district. Avi is about 14 miles to the southwest. Seven casinos have live table games. Most blackjack pays 3/2, including a single-deck at Riverside that allows doubling down on 10 and 11. Most casinos have video poker games that return 99% or better.
When not in the casino, you can enjoy the Colorado River. Jet skis and boats are available for rental. The water taxi takes guests between casinos or $5 one way or $25 for an all-day pass.
