So many casinos, so little time....

Currently there are more than 800 casinos in the U.S., about half on Native American lands. Of these, more than 600 casino locations can be considered "RV-Friendly," that is they either have an RV Park/campground on property or they allow free overnight parking. So many casinos, so little time!

What about the other 200 or so that are "RV-UNFriendly?" They have issues that preclude allowing free overnight parking for RVs. For instance:

-- No room in the parking lot. The Hard Rock in Tampa is among these, especially during the winter months. They'd like to welcome RVs, but their parking is limited. Casinos in major metropolitan areas such as Detroit or New Orleans? Don't try to go there with your RV; it won't clear the parking garages.

--- No security during the night. There are a number of small casinos that don't stay open 24 hours. If they don't have security services for any portion of the time they're closed they will ask you not to stay overnight.

--No overnight parking by local ordinance. We know of only one so far and that's Atlantic City, NJ. A city ordinance in Atlantic City prohibits overnight parking in any parking lots, but this seems to be because of safety concerns rather than as a response to complaints from local campground owners (as we've seen with local laws passed in various parts of the country to try to ban overnight parking at Wal-Marts.)

--Construction and expansion decreased the availability of surface parking. Gulf Coast casinos are still working to rebuild after the recent hurricanes have less parking spaces now than pre-Katrina. In Danbury, Wisc., the Hole In The Wall casino recently closed its 35-site campground to make way for a new hotel. There are many others, including Thunder Valley in northern California.

Although we consider these casinos "RV-UNFriendly" they are not deliberately discriminating against RVers, nor are they being mean-spirited. Thunder Valley is in the RV-UNFriendly group. They say they do not permit RV's in the lot because construction and future expansion does not allow room for RV parking. Many of us have heard speculation and gossip about other reasons, but it's just that, gossip. Bottom line is, speculation about their rationale won't change the casino's business decision. There are plenty of other casinos in Central California that welcome RVs. For instance, we've stayed in the RV park at Feather Falls in Oroville a few times and they are generous with incentive coupons.

I try to look at the positive side...casinos that allow safe and secure overnight parking are a boon to the traveling RVer who needs a place to stop and rest overnight. For adult RV travelers who enjoy the gaming or the casino buffets, it's good to know that most casinos are friendly to us. Jack and I are full-time RVers and over the past eight years we've stayed at many casinos, in the lot or at the RV park. We've enjoyed casino-hopping from coast to coast.

The casino landscape is continuously changing and I try to provide current information on this blog that will be of interest and value to you. We very much appreciate your comments and input. A lot of RVers tell me they go to certain casinos for the great food. If you have any comments or recommendations about casino buffets, we'd love to hear about them.