Top 10 non-Las Vegas casinos in Nevada

Nevada's gaming scene extends far beyond the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Across the Silver State, there are a plethora of casinos paired with picturesque locations and unique local charm, offering exceptional experiences for both seasoned gamers and casual travelers. So, when planning your next trek to Nevada, think beyond the iconic names like Caesars Palace and Bellagio and consider these 10 somewhat hidden gems.

For more information on all that Nevada has to offer, visit TravelNevada.com.

10. Cactus Petes Resort Casino (Jackpot)
Nestled in the high plateau country of Northeast Nevada in the appropriately named city of Jackpot, Cactus Petes Resort Casino has a rich history that extends five decades.

Recipient of the coveted AAA Four Diamond designation, this charming PENN Entertainment property features luxurious hotel rooms, signature restaurants, a Las Vegas-style showroom, an outdoor entertainment venue, and several bars and lounges featuring live music. A salon and gift shop are also on-site. Gaming amenities include slot machines, a variety of table games, Keno, and a sportsbook.

Adjacent to the resort is an RV Park for guests to utilize. In addition, guests can also take advantage of the pool which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You asked, we listened!
Our New Non-Smoking Gaming Area will be opening tomorrow! ?? pic.twitter.com/RwD7616ozJ
— Cactus Petes (@cactuspetes) August 30, 2024

9. Hoover Dam Lodge Hotel & Casino (Boulder City)
Hoover Dam Lodge Hotel & Casino is a unique gaming experience just half a mile from the spectacular Hoover Dam, combining slot machines with scenic views and outdoor recreation opportunities.

As the closest accommodation to “The Greatest Dam in the World,” the name certainly fits, but it isn’t the only attraction close by. Hoover Dam Lodge Hotel & Casino is located on the outskirts of Historic Boulder City, nestled up against Lake Mead National Recreation Area and it offers up some great vantage points.

8. Ramada Elko Hotel and Stockmen's Casino (Elko)
An iconic small-town casino that has been part of Elko’s history since the 1940s, Ramada Elko Hotel and Stockmen's Casino offers guest rooms with a Western flair, reflecting the hospitality felt throughout the property.

The ranch-style comfort transcends the individual rooms and can be found throughout the entire property, which offers modern gaming machines and tables, live entertainment, and casino promotions to take advantage of.

The property has over 3,000 square feet of event space, spanning over six meeting rooms. This allows Stockmen’s to accommodate 283 guests for a special event.

7. West Wendover Peppermill Hotel Casino (West Wendover)
With more than 350 guest rooms and suites offering in-room luxuries and on-property amenities including restaurants, bars, and meeting space, the West Wendover Peppermill Hotel Casino makes for a great escape.

Consider it the perfect pit stop on your way to or from Salt Lake City, or the ideal basecamp for all your Bonneville Salt Flats adventures. Simply put, kicking back at this AAA Four Diamond resort is the type of gamble you just can’t lose.

The race and sportsbook at Wendover features 74 screens, with 24 of them dedicated to horse racing. After you place your wagers and if you get the itch to hit the tables, there are 76 of them on the casino floor and the blackjack tables pay 3:2 for blackjack wins, a rarity on the Las Vegas Strip.

6. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa & Casino (Incline Village)
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Spa & Casino is a luxurious mountain retreat with lakeside views, an upscale spa, and an intimate casino, providing a blend of outdoor adventure and relaxation. The casino includes a full-service sports bar, more than 270 slot machines, and 17 table games.

If I were looking for a place to grab a drink here, I would find myself at Cutthroat’s Saloon, enjoying a draft beer, and some buffalo wings and watching a game on one of the venue’s 17 TVs.

Guests can enjoy beachfront or lakefront cottages at this resort with great views that can put you just steps away from the sand and water.

5. Harvey's Lake Tahoe (Stateline)
First opened in 1944 as a small café with three slot machines, Harvey's has grown into Lake Tahoe’s largest casino today, embracing timeless style and the natural beauty of the region across all 500+ hotel rooms and suites, and offering a vibrant gaming experience with a wide variety of slot machines, table games, and poker, all set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Tahoe's natural beauty.

There are several popular places to enjoy a nice meal at Harvey's Lake Tahoe, including Wolf at Vanderpump and Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen.

After dinner, if you are looking for a night out, try to get into Peek Nightclub which has a lineup of DJs ready to go on Friday and Saturday nights.

Make your reservations on OpenTable NOW to join us at #WolfByVanderpump ?? https://t.co/ij9Eq7C1Lr pic.twitter.com/jczuQKabKM
— Harveys Tahoe (@harveystahoe) August 30, 2024

4. Peppermill Reno Resort Spa Casino (Reno)
A luxury resort and casino, the sprawling Peppermill Reno Resort Spa Casino is one of Reno’s most famous destinations.

This all-inclusive property was also one of the first eco-conscious resorts in the U.S. Since 2010, the resorts’ primary heating source has been entirely geothermal energy produced on the property.

To accomplish this achievement, ground wells had to be installed around the property to reserve hot water registering at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

The gaming floor is home to 48 tables and over 1,700 slot machines that range from the classic single-paying games to the newer released machines.

Earlier this month, Peppermill’s sportsbook underwent a $3.5 million upgrade and the venue can show fans up to 30 games at once.

??? Big news! We’re thrilled to announce the unveiling of our newly remodeled Sports Bar, featuring the LARGEST curved video display of its kind! ??

Get ready for a sports viewing experience like no other and watch all the games on the stunning 34-screen, 360° immersive display. pic.twitter.com/kIjHYsnNFb
— Peppermill Resort (@RenoPeppermill) September 5, 2024

3. Aquarius Casino Resort (Laughlin)
Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin is the largest 24-hour gaming resort in the area. It offers over 1,900 rooms and suites, a 57,000-square-foot casino with modern slot machines, a variety of table games, and a non-smoking race and sportsbook.

The resort also features various dining options ranging from fine dining to casual choices. Additionally, all guests have access to the Riverwalk, which offers views of the Nevada desert scenery and the Colorado River.

If you want more views of the Colorado River, head to The Cove Bar & Lounge for comfortable seating. If that isn’t your vibe, you can go to Splash Bar for live music, dancing, and sports on the TV.

2. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (Reno)
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is a massive resort offering entertainment, gaming, and events in Reno.

The property offers visitors a wide variety of amenities including the 2,500+ capacity, Grand Theatre, home to Reno-Tahoe’s finest entertainment experience, nightlife at the LEX Nightclub, more than a dozen restaurant and dining choices including Charlie Palmer Steak and Lounge.

There’s also a spa, branded retail shopping, a remarkable year-round outdoor pool and fire pit experience, Reno’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a two-screen cinema, a 50-lane bowling center, adrenaline-pumping rides and an aqua golf driving range.

For the sports betting crowd, the Grand Sierra sportsbook offers a brilliant set-up where you can watch 32 games at once while the casino boats over 1,200 slot machines, 47 table games, and seven poker tables to appeal to any gambler’s desires
.

Nights at GSR ??

Don’t miss out and book your next stay with us: https://t.co/5xuHLkJ5mJ #GSR #GrandSierraResort #Weekend #RenoTahoe pic.twitter.com/FzwPnS8kfA
— Grand Sierra Resort | GSR (@GrandSierra) August 19, 2024

1. Eureka Casino Resort (Mesquite)
A family-owned casino known for its welcoming atmosphere, offering a blend of comfortable accommodations, diverse gaming options, and award-winning dining, Eureka Casino Resort is a 100% employee-owned company that combines the comfort and relaxation of a resort hotel with the 24/7 excitement only a casino can provide.

If you are a golfer, like myself, this is a great spot to stay because there are seven world-class golf courses within a 10-minute drive of the resort, including the stunning Wolf Creek Golf Club. Eureka offers a slew of value-laden stay-and-play packages where you can take advantage of Mesquite’s more than 300 days of sunshine.

After a round of golf, you can head over to the William Hill Sportsbook and watch the pros shoot how you wish you could. And if you’re not a golfer, Mesquite, located about 50 miles from Las Vegas, offers plenty of other outdoor activities such as biking and hiking, and it’s an easy drive to some iconic landmarks parks such as Bryce Canyon and Valley of Fire.

Then if it’s time for dinner, make a reservation at TripAdvisor’s #1 restaurant in Mesquite, the newly renovated Gregory’s Mesquite Grill, which reopens this fall.