No more free electric

If you are using our guide book, Casino Camping, please note that two casinos listed as having free electric hookups in their parking lot, no longer have those hookups.

Diamond Jo Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa is expanding the casino. The section of the parking lot that had the free electric hookups now has a building on top of it. The casino says free overnight parking is still available for RVs. Just ask security where to park.

Coeur D'Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho does not have electric hookups available any more. However, the casino still allows free dry camping overnight. Please notify Securityy if you plan to stay.

If you haven't bought your copy of Casino Camping -- a must-have book for every rig -- it is available from the RV Bookstore, and they ship fast! If the book helps you to save just one night's camping fee, it pays for itself.

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Casino Camping: Guide to RV-Friendly Casinos
This is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks and which ones offer free overnight stays in their parking lots. The fact is, more casinos all the time are soliciting the business of RVers, and many either offer attractive, bargain-priced campgrounds or a parking lot where RVers are invited to stay for free. Learn more or order.

More casinos??

Iowa's Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to discuss additional casino licenses at their March meeting. Specifically, expansion proponents claim that a second casino near the large Meskwaki Indian Casino resort in Tama would enhance the area as a destination resort. Meskwaki added a 52-space RV Park last year.

In llinois, the state's General Assembly is looking into expansion of gambling as a way to fund bridge, schools and road construction. However, the idea is already facing stiff opposition. Two Casino RV Parks, popular with travelers, are located in Illinois -- Casino Queen in East St. Louis (convenient to I-70/I-55) and Empress RV Park in Joliet (convenient to I-80.)

Massachussetts Governor Deval Patrick is still looking for support for his proposal to license three resort casinos. He recently announced that more than $100 million in casino licensing fees would be passed along to financially-strapped cities and towns in the state in order to cover budget shortfalls. The state does not currently have any casinos.

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.

The world's largest and most profitable

The Mashantucket Pequot Nation of American Indians, with just 305 members, founded Foxwoods in 1986 as a high-stakes bingo hall. In 1992 the Pequots added table games, followed shortly by slot machines in 1993. By 1995, tourist traffic to the Foxwoods Casino had reached 30,000 a day and by 1999, 40,000 visitors came every day.

Today Foxwoods is the world's largest casino. Located in the forests of eastern Connecticut on land owned by the Tribe, it is also one of the most profitable casinos in the world. Currently, the Foxwoods Resort has six casinos with over 340,000 square feet of gaming space and three hotels plus numerous restaurants, entertainment venues and retail shops.

Through an agreement with the State of Connecticut, Foxwoods contributes 25 percent of its slot revenues to the state. Since 1993 it has contributed more than $2 billion to the state entirely from slots proceeds.

Foxwoods isn't finished growing. Currently being developed is the "MGM Grand at Foxwoods," a new 2-million square-foot project with hotel, entertainment, restaurants and gaming venues as well as corporate retreat, meeting and convention space. It is expected to open next year.

A new slots parlor in Pennsylvania

The new Mount Airy Casino and Resort opened its doors on Monday (10/22), making it the sixth gaming location in Pennsylvania and the state's first free-standing "slots parlor" to open. The five other casinos that are already open operate at racetracks, facilities known as "racinos."

The casino is built on the site of the former Mount Airy Lodge which had been a signature resort in the Pocono Mountains for more than 50 years. The new Mount Airy Casino has 2,523 slot machines and 188 hotel rooms. Work on the 891-acre site will continue into next year, with 212 more hotel rooms, a pool and 500 more slots to be added.

Casinos closed due to fires

A heavy concentration of casinos can be found in Riverside and SanDiego counties and many of them may be affected by the fires currently sweeping across southern California. Casino Pauma, Casino Pala, Harrahs Ricon, Valley View and Barona Valley are closed due to evacuations. A number of others in the San Diego area have their fingers crossed, as everyone in the nation prays for the winds to subside and the fires to be doused. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the folks in California.

More news from Arizona

Despite a rocky start in the early 1990's when the state legally challenged Arizona's Tribes right to operate casinos, the two sides finally entered into Arizona's first set of Tribal-State Gaming Compacts in 1993 permitting casinos with slots. The second compact, signed in 2003 added live blackjack and poker. Today 15 Indian Tribes operate 22 Class III casinos in the state. Another 6 Tribes do not have casinos but have slot machine rights they may lease to other Tribes.Today's Arizona casinos are successful and growing. Here's some additional news from The Grand Canyon State:

In western Arizona, the Cocopah Casino recently added a hotel and conference center and four new restaurants next to the casino in Somerton County. It is an RV-Friendly casino.

Gila River Casino plans to relocate and enlarge its Lone Butte Casino and locate it to an area southwest of Hunt Highway and Gilbert Road just south of Chandler. The 120,000 square-foot facility will have gaming, five restaurants and 2,500 parking spaces. It will displace the Rock Solid concrete plant which is moving more than a mile south along I-10. The new casino is expected to be completed by late 2008.

Although the first Navajo Nation Casino will be located in New Mexico, long range plans may include another casino in northeastern Arizona. The Navajo Nation comprises the largest Indian Tribe in the country. Currently, the Navajos have a compact with Arizona.

What's new in Arizona

Desert Diamond Casino has completed an expanded casino at its Nogales location, south of Tucson near the airport, off I-19 at exit 95. The new 170,000 square foot facility includes 1,000 slots, 24 blackjack tables, 25 poker tables and a buffet restaurant. A new hotel at this location has 149 rooms/suites. Although the new casino is open, parking lots won't be fully paved until about mid-November. This is an RV-Friendly casino, but RVers are advised to call ahead (520-294-7777) to confirm parking availability.

Two other casinos owned and operated by the Tohono O'odham Nation are also RV-Friendly. The other Desert Diamond Casino is just off I-19 exit 80 on West Pima Mine Road. A smaller slots-only casino -- Ha:san Casino is a popular stop for tourists on the way to Organ Pipe National Park and Rocky Point Mexico. It has 40 slots (no gaming tables), a grill and a full service gas station. Although the casino closes at midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends, it is RV-Friendly.

Snow Birds: favorite stops along the way

It's that time of year when snow birds head south for the winter warmth of the Sun Belt. In the Midwest and out West, snow birds will pass many casino locations. On the east coast, there are just a few RV-Friendly casinos along the way.

Most snow birds plan the trip south to include certain favorite stops that are conveniently located on or near their usual route. The reasons for making the same stops en route vary...a preferred Wal-Mart for a shopping stop or a favorite casino for the evening meal because the food is always good, or a casino stop because it has our favorite machines.

When we head south, there's one casino stop (just off I-55) where we will check into the reasonably-priced RV Park for a night or two because I like their comfortable, modern and always squeeky-clean laundry room. The riverboat casino at this location is so-so (although Jack likes to play cards in the poker room), and there's not a big dining attraction either, but for me the laundry room is the reason for the stop. What are some of your favorite stops along the way and why?

Snow Birds, don't forget to have Casino Camping on board before you leave for your trip south. It's the best guide to RV-Friendly casinos in the U.S. RVing casino fans find the two appendices in the back of the book to be especially helpful:
* Appendix A is a state-by-state listing of casinos that have RV Parks, campgrounds or electric hookups at parking spaces.
* Appendix B is a state-by-state listing of RV-Friendly casinos within two miles of an interstate exit.

Casino Camping is available from the RVBookstore.com and they ship fast!

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Quiz...Quiz...Quiz...Quiz
Thanks to our friends at Southern Gaming magazine, here's a multiple-choice quiz:

1. Who won the Season One Championship of the World Poker Tour?
a) Alan Goehring
b) Phil Hellmuth
c) Doyle Brunson
d) Daniel Negreanu

2) What two cards must you have for a straight?
a) 5 or 2
b) K or 2
c) A or K
d) 5 or 10

3) How many casinos are there in the U.S?
a) 1667
b) 8000
c) 10000
d) 900

4) Opposite sides of a dice cube add up to what?
a) 4
b) 6
c) 7
d) 9

5) The King of Clubs represents what famous ruler?
a) King David
b) Alexander the Great
c) Charlemagne
d) Julius Caesar

6) Number of adults out of 10 who placed some sort of wager last year.
a) 5
b) 6
c) 3
d) 7

Stumped? Look for answers here soon.

News From Vicksburg

THE SAME RV PARK ---
A NEW NAME!

The popular RV Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi is now owned and operated by the Ameristar Casino. RVers who have been to Vicksburg in the past will remember that the RV Park was originally owned by the Isle of Capri Casino. Last year, after Diamond Jack's purchased the Isle of Capri, the RV Park was managed by Diamond Jack's for a few months prior to being taken over by Ameristar this past February.

Even though management of the RV Park has changed hands a couple of times, it remains open for business as usual. When we visited recently we were pleased to see that the new owners added some concrete on the entrance road making it smooth enough so we didn't scrape the hitch when coming in. Jack did a Brooklyn cheer when he saw the new, improved entrance road!

The modern Park still features 67 level, paved, pull-thru patio sites with full hookups. This afternoon, with temperatures in the 90's, quite a few RVers were enoying the pool at the RV Park.

On demand shuttle service is provided 24 hours daily. The phone at the RV Park office is connected to the casino nearby and a security van shuttle arrives within minutes. Even though the picturesque red & white Ameristar riverboat is just across the street from the RV Park, it's easier and safer to take the shuttle. There are steep grades entering and exiting both the RV Park and the Casino property and Washington Street is a busy thoroughfare. (It would be a tough walk!)

Vicksburg MS, situated high on the bluffs along the Mississippi River, is rich in history. The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the defense and siege of Vicksburg. The battlefield includes 1,330 monuments and markers, a 16-mile tour road, a restored Union gunboat and a national Cemetery. There are many other attractions and activities in the area that make a visit to Vicksburg worthwhile. In addition to the Ameristar, there are three other casinos in Vicksburg.

The RV Park in Vicksburg is moderately priced and a discount is offered to Ameristar Casino cardholders. The Ameristar RV Park may be reached at 601-631-0402 or 800-700-7770.

The Road To Redmond

All roads lead to Redmond, Oregon this summer when two big events will be held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds: The Rally in July and FMCA's International Convention in August.

If you're planning to attend one of these events -- and you want to include stops at casinos along the way -- the 3rd edition of Casino Camping has a new feature that may be of value to you. Appendix B (pages 308 to 312) is a state-by-state listing of casinos within 2 miles of an Interstate exit. This appendix section is new to this year's Casino Camping -- you will not find it in previous editions.

As we all know, most casinos offer free overnight parking, so if the book helps you to save just one night's camping fees, it pays for iteself. Click on the book cover shown on this page to order your copy of Casino Camping. RVBookstore ships fast!

Pennsylvania Gets "Racinos"

This year the State of Pennsylvania opens casinos at five race tracks in the state. When casinos are added at existing race track facilities, they're commonly referred to as "racinos." Other states where you'll find racinos include West Viginia, Delaware, Iowa and Maine.

Pennsylvanis racinos include:
-- Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre that opened last November,
-- Harrah's at Chester Racetrack and Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, both opened in January,
-- Presque Isle Downs in Erie that opened in February,
-- Meadows Race Track near Pittsburgh, expected to open sometime this month.
-- The largest racino in the state will be located at Penn National's race course in Grantville, PA. The 365,000 square-foot facility, a unique integrated racing and gaming complex, will open next year.

Other casino locations, that are not at race tracks, will also be developed in the future in selected locations throughout the state. In Pennsylvania casinos will be known as Slots Parlors because live table games are not permitted (at least for now.) However, Philadelphia Park chalks up a first when it has the grand opening of the state's first electronic table games. The electronic table games "pit" officially opens to customers today (May 5th).

Electronic table games feature a dealer on a high definition 42-inch plasma screen who deals out an electronic hand of cards in front of each player's seat. The players bet their hands against the dealer's. The major benefit of this game -- called Royal Match 21 -- is that the bets of other players cannot influence another player's hand, nor diminish their chance of winning.

Also today the Kentucky Derby will be simulcast at most racinos and tracks throughout the country,

Indian Gaming

An important milestone occurred on Feb. 25th of this year. On that day 20 years ago the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision (California vs Cabazon Band of Mission Indians) that essentially recognized the sovereign rights of Native American Tribes to use gaming as a tool for economic development. While individual states still have a limited regulatory role, the Supreme Court decision literally kicked the door open to what has become a $25 billion industry of tribal casinos in 22 states.

There are varying opinions about Indian gaming -- some think there are too many Indian casinos, others believe the Indian casinos should be paying more taxes, while some gamblers are not happy when they can't learn about slots payouts ( in some states Native American casinos don't have to release information about their slot machine payout percentages like the commercial casinos do.) But generally people seem pleased that Native Americans have this opportunity to bring new economic development to their communities.

We've visited many Indian casinos throughout the country -- some large and lavish, others quaint and cozy. But one thing is certain --- gaming brought jobs, education, improved health services, community centers, hospitals and college scholarships to tribes that had been impoverished and struggling. When the decision was handed down 20 years ago, who could have imagined the profound impact it would have on so many Native American communities and on the gaming industry itself!

Casino Camping Blog Launch

Welcome to the Casino Camping Blog. What a great time to launch a blog designed for RVing gaming enthusiasts! It's the season when many of us are planning 2007 summer travels. Is a "casino-hopping" stop part of your plan for this year? Jack and I are full-time travelers, so we "brake for casinos" frequently. This year I hope we'll be able to work in a visit to the Mother Ship -- Las Vegas.

I look forward to sharing casino camping information that you may find of interest and value...and I welcome your comments, questions and suggestions.