Casinos in Reno - Find Casinos Near You in Reno

Reno Casinos: The Basics

Note 1:  Previously known as the Sands Regency, the downtown casino was rebranded and reopened as the J Resort in 2023.  

Note 2:  Visitors to Reno may be surprised by a large number of Eastern European workers, many of whom came to Reno to work in the hospitality industry on special visas) 

Planning Your Reno Casino Trip

The wonderful thing about visiting Reno is that there are so many interesting options. Visitors have an abundance of choices about indoor and outdoor activities. 

You have exceptional dining options and most accommodations are more affordable than Las Vegas and other major casino destinations.

So, do you want to hang out in the neon center of Reno in the middle of all the hustle and bustle with:

• multiple casinos close to you
• shows (mostly live music and comedy acts)
• great restaurants
• plenty of places to shop
• local breweries
• walking area
• special attractions including festivals?  

If yes - then consider staying someplace in downtown Reno with 6 casinos to choose from mostly within walking distance of each other.  

All 6 casinos offer hotel accommodations. All also offer table games, slots, video poker, and some added options such as sportsbooks and poker rooms.  

Downtown Reno also has the best nightlife in the city with everything from hipster nightclubs with live DJs and sushi bars to more casual local breweries and hamburger joints open late at night for a bite to eat after-hours.

It’s advisable to check what’s in town in you plan to visit Reno.  This is a city with something fun happening nearly every weekend.  

Each Reno casino has its own distinctive reasons to visit and stay there. Each resort caters to a different niche – from high-rollers, to spa enthusiasts, to poker players. Reno often spreads major poker tournaments than sometimes run for multiple weeks and are even televised. 

Most Reno natives and gambling experts will probably agree the most popular casino resort is the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, which is a monster-size entertainment hotel and casino complex smack dab in the middle of the city.  

The Grand Sierra boasts the largest gaming floor in Reno and northern Nevada, including 47 gaming tables, a whopping 1,200 slots of video poker machines, plus a 7-table poker room.  The Grand Sierra is only about a 10-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which also makes it very convenient. 

One word of caution – its hard to walk to anything else at the Grand Sierra. They want to keep customers on property.  

Another local favorite is the Peppermill Resort Hotel, which recently completed a massive renovation project and can now boast of offering everything any tourist could want. This includes gambling, sports betting, restaurants, bars, spas, live shows, and a nightclub (Edge nightclub, a 1920s-themed attraction with techno-music).  

The Atlantis Casino-Resort must also be mentioned here, with its 11 restaurants, several awards including the winner of many "Best of...." honors, and like the other casinos that were mentioned, all the amenities a visit would want in a single staycation.

Tips on Local Transportation

Reno has city bus service, which is cheap.  And Reno offers the usual rideshare options, such as Uber and Lyft.  

However, if you spend any length of time in Reno and want to get out and move around more freely, then renting a car is probably the best option if you can afford it.  

Car rentals are easy to pick up at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (it's best to make a reservation online in advance).  

Having a car means you can drive to many casinos located around the city. 

Even better, you can drive to places outside of Reno and visit Sparks, Carson City (Nevada's state capital), Virginia City, and/or Lake Tahoe.  

All these exciting destinations are within a one-hour drive of Reno. 

Are Reno Casino Rewards Programs Worth It? 

Quick answer - sure, casino rewards programs are worth it, because they are free.

Nonetheless, we're not going to hype something you probably won't use.  This is especially true for infrequent (or one-time) Reno visitors who are making their first (and perhaps only) visit to northern Nevada.  

While it's always advisable to take just a few minutes to visit the "rewards center" and sign up for any casino rewards program (some are better than others).

Oh, and comps (short for complementary) is just another way of saying "free stuff."  So, yes - do sign up.  

But don't expect the high roller treatment, that is, unless you really are a high roller.

That said, let's be very clear about some advantages of gambling in Reno and throughout the area:  

This casino market wants to attract visitors and new customers. It's often considered a step-child to the bigger and swankier Las Vegas and desperately wants to change that.  

Since Las Vegas has become increasingly expensive, Reno hopes to take advantage of tourists that now want more bang for their gambling buck.  

What this means for you perhaps is - better values and even some decent free offers. 

If you make just one visit, you will have to gamble on the spot somewhat to expect comps instantly, in return.  

However, if you return, and/or you become a regular customer, the Reno casinos are going to absolutely love you.  

That means they will likely toss you more freebies, including generous comps and free play in slot machines and video poker.  

It never hurts to ask someone at the desk at the rewards center.  Sometimes, there are even free offers and free play to new customers.

However, if you're trying to accumulate comps and receive future casino offers, then strategically focus your gaming play in just one casino. 

Preferably, pick a larger casino with more options - more tables and games.  

Reno Gambling Laws and Regulations

All Reno casinos strictly enforce the legal gambling age restriction, which is 21.  This applies to all casinos in Nevada - including Reno.  

The gambling laws and regulations are enforced by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), which is the state-run government agency involved in oversight and law enforcement, along with the Nevada Gaming Commission.  

Casino players can make formal complaints to the NGCB, which are always investigated.  Most casinos have NGCB agents on site or within a short distance. 

However, visitors can be assured casino games in reputable establishments, including slots and video poker, are run fairly and on the square.  The risks of scandal or fines are too great to risk by cheating players.

Because Nevada was one of the early pioneers of gambling and the expansion of casino-related tourism, stricter oversight became a necessity.  

In early years, Nevada was infiltrated by organized crime, which controlled many casinos in Reno and Las Vegas.  

Gradually, organized crime was reduced and minimized.  

Today, most casinos are owned and operated by large corporations, which are publicly traded companies.  Hence, they follow gaming regulations to the letter of the law.

The 6 Best Casinos in Reno You Don't Want to Miss

"Best" casino is a subjective term.  Your "best" casino means the place where you feel the most comfortable. Before deciding where to say and where to play, you should ask yourself:

• Where are you treated well by the staff?  
• Which casino offers the games you want to play?  
• What spot is best at a certain time of the day or night, or season?  

Out of 16 casinos in Reno, you are certain to find at least one “best casino” of the many, which then becomes your favorite one of all.

Since it's impossible to know what’s most important to determine what you think might be the “best,” instead let's highlight the most unique features of some of the most popular casinos in Reno in your vicinity (which are listed alphabetically):

1. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia Street (Reno)

Three hotel towers, nearly 800 rooms and suites, 11 bars and restaurants, a race and sportsbook, spectacular views of the city and mountains, and some of the highest ratings by experts and customers on social media all makes Atlantis one of the most popular casino destinations in Reno. 

Open to everyone from families (there's an arcade area with games for kids of all ages) to conventioneers, to couples seeking a romantic getaway, the Atlantis is a paradise island in the middle of Reno. Also note the spa” attraction. While the higher-end casinos usually have spas, the Atlantis facilities are a step above and have been widely acclaimed as the best in the city.

2. Baldini's Casino

865 S. Rock Boulevard (Sparks)

We’re including lesser-known Baldini’s, which is just across the city line and is technically in Sparks.  This is more of a locals’ casino than a popular tourist destination. It is notable for offering very generous daily giveaways and nightly drawings.Check out their website for the most up-to-date offers.  

Baldini's mostly appeals to slot and video poker players, but it's easy to get to and from and offers a more relaxed feel than the bigger casino-resorts in Reno.

3. Circus Circus Hotel Casino

500 N. Sierra Street (Downtown Reno)

Note that three casinos could be grouped together – including Circus Circus, Eldorado, and Silver Legacy. However, they do offer very different amenities.  Combined as one, they include nearly 4,000 hotel rooms. There are also three casino floors, more than a thousand gambling machines, and a carnival midway attraction.All are all connected by an over-the-street mall full of shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. 

Hence, this is one of the best places to stay and visit in Reno given there are so many different entertainment options within a short distance.

Circus Circus really does offer a show. There are regular acts within the casino, including clowns and acrobats. There’s also a food court on property. Circus Circus has two large hotel towers that collectively have more than 1,600 rooms. The casino floor offer all the usual games, including blackjack, craps, slots, and video poker.

4. Eldorado Resort Casino

345 N. Virginia Street (Downtown Reno)

The best thing that can be said for the Eldorado casino is that it’s part of the giant Caesars network chain, which means comps can be earned and used here and exchanged with any other Caesars property. If using comps factors into your decision about where to stay, the Eldorado does offer that advantage.

Connected to the Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, the Eldorado has 800 hotel rooms and a large casino floor with 36 tables and 1,000 slots and video poker machines. 

The sportsbook is tied into the William Hill network, one of the world’s largest sports betting operators. 

5. Peppermill

2707 S. Virginia Street (Reno)

This luxury resort in the middle of the city offers 1,600 hotel rooms, including 600 suites.  

Looking at it from both the outside and inside, there's definitely a retro-disco feel to the entire place, which seems stuck in 1979 but yet somehow appears to the be the chicest place to hang out in Reno.  

Blue and red-lined neon and glass are everywhere.  The Fireside Lounge is a must-visit, with its open flames in the bar area and a cool vibe with some of the best specialty cocktails in town.  

The Peppermill casino also boasts the largest poker room in the entire city, which stages regular tournaments.  

This is a nouveau casino that likes and wants real gamblers, which isn't always the case in every "resort" destination.  

Plenty of good restaurants to choose from, a great spa, and other attractions makes the Peppermill a can't miss destination for visitors.

6. Silver Legacy Resort Casino

407 N. Virginia Street (Downtown Reno)

Silver Legacy is in the heart of downtown, near the famous “Biggest Little City in the World” street sign. With multiple amenities, world-class entertainment and an action-packed casino, the Silver Legacy is a familiar centerpiece to anyone who knows the Reno scene. With 42 stories and always lit up in bright emerald green, it’s also easy to spot. 

The hotel boasts 1,700 rooms, five restaurants and has six bars/lounges. Gambling option include more than 1,000 slot machines, 48 table games and 30 televisions inside the sports book. 

Evening entertainment ranges from dancing at the Aura Ultra Lounge to a live stand-up comedy bar. 

Also, this casino offers one of the biggest swimming and sunbathing facilities in the city, with a spacious, 8,000-square-foot pool deck.

Best Casino Restaurants and Dining Options

One of so many great things about visiting Reno is the terrific quality and diversity of places to eat.  

There are many fine dining establishments scattered throughout the city.  Most are located inside the major casinos.  

However, Reno also offers many outstanding restaurant choices for all budgets and tastes, which include most types of cuisines.  The city even has some late-night spots worth trying, if you're hungry after hours.

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

• Lulou's:  Many food critics claim this is the best restaurant in Reno. We'll have to try them all before making such a bold claim.  But we can agree Lulou's is certainly in that conversation for the top spot. 
• Charlie Palmer Steak Reno: Charlie Palmer's is an impeccable world-class steakhouse with an excellent reputation for consistency.  The Palmer Steakhouse is located inside the Grand Sierra.  Reservations are mandatory.

More Steakhouses and Fine Dining

• Nevada Steak: This is a locals' favorite at the Tamarack Casino, in south Reno. 
• Ichiban Japanese Steak House: This is probably the best "fun" steakhouse in the city, especially if you're seeking a teppanyaki-style Japanese eatery.
• Wild River Grill: This cozy modern venue is nestled inside the historic Riverside Hotel, and is an homage to the traditions of northern Nevada.  Arguably, has the best seafood in the city (open for lunch).
• Louis' Basque Corner: In the mood for a Basque restaurant? Here's the best spot in the state with delicious authentic cuisine that gets rave reviews from both customers and critics alike,  

Casual (including breakfast)

• Liberty Food & Wine Exchange: A perfect casual inside-outside dining treasure in the Riverwalk District near downtown.
• Pine State Biscuits: This fun breakfast spot is known for southern cuisine, including the best grits in town (open until 2 pm)
• The Shore Room:  Another ideal breakfast and lunch favorite on the Truckee River with great views.
• Von Bismarck: German-influenced cuisine in an industrial-chic space along with outdoor seating.

Buffets

• Oyster & Sushi Bar on the Sky Terrace: Not your usual buffet. Wonderful presentation and ambiance inside the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.
• Eldorado Buffet: One of the last "all you can eat" buffets in Reno; affordable and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Serves all types of cuisines.

Late-Night Dining

For those who aren't into fast food, try out any of the late-night coffee shops inside the larger casinos.  Many of these informal cafes are open 24/7 and offer decent food at all hours of the day or night. 

• Cafe Central is a solid "go-to."  
• Another is the 24-Hour Coffee Shop (yes, that's the real name) which serves giant portions.
• Want something different?  Rim Asian Bistro is highly recommended, and receives high marks from both locals and visitors who want after-hours Asian menu choices.  
• Reno also has a number of video poker bars around town that serve breakfasts and burgers late at night.  

How to Score a Great Hotel Room in Reno

Are there tips and tricks to getting a great hotel room?  How about a bigger room, such as a full suite?  How about a room with a view of the city and mountains?  The answer is - yes.

Naturally, the best hotel rooms usually go to the higher rollers and players who are frequent guests.  However, if you visit Reno during the off-season and/or midweek, your odds of scoring the perfect room will shoot up.  

There are other ways to win the hotel room game.  

Another way to gain an advantage is to make hotel reservations online early.  Most big casinos list the type of rooms available, with pricing.  

You will often find specials. This is particularly true for discount travel sites that specialize in volume and simply want to drive enough traffic to fill the rooms.  

Off-peak times almost always have better rooms, including suites and added amenities.  If possible be flexible.

If you want to gamble a bit when it comes to getting a good room, late-night check-ins can also be a bonanza.  

At or around midnight, most guests have already checked into the hotel.  Hence, what rooms are still open are likely to stay empty.  

You might be able to ask for an upgrade and succeed.  However, we stress this can be risky, especially if there's a major event happening in Reno.

Finally, the old-fashioned trick of a tip or toke sometimes works.  

Slipping the desk clerk $10 for a night, and perhaps $20 (or more) for multiple nights can make suites magically become available. 

Showtime!  A Note About Reno Entertainment

Most of the large casinos have big showrooms, and all have more casual lounges.  That means music, comedy, and other forms of nightly entertainment are happening year around.  

In fact, Reno attracts many of the biggest names in entertainment, including top bands, singers, and comedians.  You are likely to see the names of acts you'll recognize on the signs at most casinos.

Also, make sure you check online for upcoming schedules. 

In recent years, Reno has really excelled on the comedy circuit.  The two most famous comedy clubs are the Laugh Factory and The Improv.  Both venues typically offer a nightly show with three stand-up comedians.  

Sometimes (mostly on weekends), the clubs have a two-drink minimum purchase.

Reno has many music festivals, including special events geared towards jazz, the blues, rock, hip hop, country, and even classical music.  The bigger festivals run for 2 or 3-days at a time and include multiple acts. 

10 Things in Reno Not to Miss

1. Bavarian World (German restaurant and bakery) - with live seasonal entertainment.
2. Biggest Little Brewery Tour - a guided tour of all the major local breweries.
3. The Discovery - fun and interesting science museum.
4. Lake Tahoe – one hour’s drive away.
5. National Automobile Museum - great collection of classic cars.
6. National Bowling Stadium - biggest bowling spot in the world.
7. Reno Riverwalk District - another lesser-known place to enjoy nature in the city.
8. Ski Resorts - Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe are the biggest (the later was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games)
9. Truckee River Walk - peaceful and beautiful, in the heart of downtown.
10. University of Nevada (Reno) - always something happening on campus, including major college football and basketball games.

Fun Facts About Reno: Did You Know....

In its early years, Reno wasn't famous for casinos or gambling.  

Rather, Reno was known as the divorce capital of America.  Reno was a popular destination for thousands of people - both men and women - seeking a quick and easy (and legal) divorce.

At the time, most American states used to have strict divorce laws.  It wasn't easy to null and void a marriage.  Nevada sought a creative way to attract more visitors, and one method was to loosen state laws on both marriage and divorce.  

In the southern part of the state, given its proximity to booming Los Angeles, Las Vegas quickly turned into a major marriage and wedding destination. 

Back then, many states made couples wait several months to finalize a divorce.  

By contrast, Nevada passed a law that any American citizen could take up residency in Nevada and as long as they stayed for at least 6 weeks, their divorce became legal.

Accordingly, many people seeking divorces moved to Reno, even for just a month or two at a time.  Many got divorced, then returned home afterward.  

At the same time, many newcomers fell in love with Reno and its lifestyle as well as other parts of Nevada.  They stayed. 

Many early Nevadans initially came here simply because they wanted divorces, then became permanent residents.  

Even today, you can still see small hotels and boarding houses in the downtown Reno district along the Truckee River which were popular temporary homes for the city's first real "tourists." 

Expert’s Recommendation: Visit Virginia City (South of Reno)

Virginia City, Nevada has an amazing history.  It was once a mining town that defined the edge of the western frontier during the mid- to late-1800s.  When you think of cowboys and saloons and gunfights, Virginia City was the real deal.

It's safe now.  It's been cleaned up for tourists.  

But Virginia City is about as close as most of us will ever get to knowing what it was really like to live and survive in the Old American West.  

Today, Virginia City is mostly along a wooden-ramped street that's easy to walk around and navigate. 

It looks pretty much the same way it did back in the 1860s, where the iconic writer and humorist Mark Twain lived and worked here.  

Be sure to take photos, have a beer in a saloon, check out the old gambling tables, and absolutely take a ride on the V&T Railroad to Gold Hill, which is a narrated tour and half-hour train ride.  It's marvelous.

Virginia City is only about 25 miles outside of Reno, which is a 40-minute drive away.  Trust me – it's well worth it and lots of fun for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Reno's appeal extends beyond its casinos.

It's a vibrant city with diverse dining options, efficient transportation options, and a multitude of attractions, making it a top destination for any Nevada vacation.

Whether you're an avid gambler aiming for the generous rewards programs of Reno's casinos or a food enthusiast looking to enjoy the delights of world-renowned chefs and restaurants, Reno won't disappoint.

Remember to enjoy the city responsibly and take advantage of the various opportunities it presents.

Be ready to immerse yourself in Reno's unique blend of gambling thrill, delectable dining, and rich cultural heritage for an unforgettable experience.