Slower paced casino-hopping in Nevada

There's no question but that Nevada is still the #1 destination for casinos, and Vegas is the most popular destination. However, for a slower-paced casino-hopping experience, we are really partial to Laughlin, Nevada. There are 11 casinos in Laughlin and they are all Vegas-style. There's live entertainment, lots of restaurants and plenty of non-gaming activity in Laughlin.

Laughlin is directly on the Colorado River where Nevada, Arizona and California meet. For us RVers, it offers a good variety of accomodations from the traditional RV Park to free dry camping. There are two full-hookup campgrounds. The Avi resort several miles north of town has a KOA where, you'll find quality sites and amenities consistent with KOA's high standards. Rates range from $23 on weekdays and can go up to $40 on holidays. The campground is noted for its spectacular beach area. The full-service resort has a 25,000 square-foot casino plus many other activities too numerous to mention. To get to the other casinos along the river, you'll need to drive there. Most casinos are along the river on Casino Drive. Don Laughlin's Resort has an RV Park with rates from $26. The town is hospitable to boondockers, too. The River Palms offers an area for dry camping for a nominal fee. Harrahs has two lots where RVs may park free for up to three days. For both River Palms and Harrahs you'll need to register for a parking permit. There is a dump station at the gas state near Harrahs; dump fee is $3.

About a year ago there was an attempt to pass local legislation to prohibit overnight parking in casino lots in Laughlin. Fortunately, the attempt did not succeed. At the time there was speculation that the concerns that prompted the prohibition attempt were environmental because irresponsible RVers were dumping grey water and, even worse, black water onto the casino parking lots in Laughlin. It is sad that -- as much as we appeal to RVers to be responsible -- such things do happen.

As frequent blacktop boondockers at casinos, as well as other businesses that are hospitable to RVers, Jack and I are especially sensitive to the issue. As often as RV publications run articles about the simple rules for overnight parking etiquette, we continue to see examples of RVers abusing the hospitality of businesses that allow free overnight parking. Just last week, we came through the Flying J in St. Augustine, FL for fuel. We observed about 15 motor homes & fifth wheels parked and apparently settled in for the night there. We couldn't believe what we saw. Several had their awnings out, chairs arranged in a socializing circle on the blacktop and the barbeques smokin away as the men grilled the dinner. From time to time, we've seen the same thing in casino parking lots. It makes me wonder how long it will be before places like Flying J and casinos will refuse the free overnight parking privilege altogether.

Good News From Florida's Indian Casinos

Last week Florida's Seminole casinos started upgrading their slot machines from Class II to Class III (Vegas-style) slots. Beginning at the Hard Rock in Tampa, the slots and video poker machines will gradually be converted to Class III gaming machines over the next few months at all Seminole casino locations in the state. No news yet about whether any pit or other table games will be added to the gaming floor. Currently the only live action is in the poker room.

Feeble casino action in Florida

RVing snow birds wintering in Florida won't find "real" Vegas-style casino action at the land-based Indian casinos in the state. Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock is still running Class II gaming, which means their slots are actually electronic versions of bingo...and (look out!) the machines appear to be heavily stacked in the casino's favor. The only table game offered is poker at low limit tables. RVers will not find a welcome at the Tampa Hard Rock, either. Because of space limitations, the Hard Rock does not permit RVs in their parking lot at any time. Basically the same holds true for the Seminole casinos on the east side of the state. Their parking areas are congested and none of the Florida casinos has an RV Park. The one Indian casino that still offers free overnight parking is Miccosukee Casino on SR-997, just south of US-41 in Miami. It's a convenient stopping-off place for RVers headed down into the Keys, especially since the Wal-Mart in Florida City has no overnight parking signs posted. But Miccosukee, like the other Indian casinos in Florida, is definitely not Vegas-style.

For slot machine fans, there are three "racinos," casinos at race tracks, in Broward County (Hallendale and Pompano Beach), and their machines are Vegas-style. However, the table games are limited to poker -- no other pit/table games allowed. Also, no RV parks at the racinos and the parking lots can be congested, RVers in Florida looking for a casino hiatis are better off taking the trip to Mississippi -- either the Gulf Coast or Tunica. Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis and Sam's Town, Hollywood and the Grand in Tunica all have nice accomodations for RVs.

Florida finally has Vegas-style slots

Florida finally has casinos with Vegas-style slots and video poker. In 2005, voters in Broward County approved a referendum to permit slots at the four pari-mutuel racetracks in the county, just north of Miami on the state's east coast.

Florida's "racinos" began their openings late last year and now three of the four are now up and running: Mardi Gras Gaming in Hallendale Beach, Isle of Capri in Pompano Beach and Gulfstream Park in Hallendale Beach. All have 1,500 or more slots. Currently their daily hours are limited to closing at 1am or 3am, but legislation is pending to allow them to be open 24 hours on weekends. A fourth racino is expected to open in 2008 in Dania Beach.

Several Indian casinos in Florida have slot machines, but they only have Class II gaming devices that are actually electronic bingo...not convenient to use and definitely not Vegas-style.