Casino Guides Simplify Finding Locations, Addresses, Bargains

2 December 2004

By Howard Schwartz

Three new casino guides, each geared for a different type of vacationer, are available for the traveler who enjoys playing, just visiting or looking for bargains. The three are the 2005 American Casino Guide, edited by Steve Bourie ($16.95, paperbound, 496 pages); The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas (2005 edition) by Bob Sehlinger ($17.99, paperbound, 472 pages) and Casino Camping -- the Guide to RV-Friendly Casinos by Jane Kenny ($14.95, paperbound, 256 pages).

Here's a summary of what each contains. Each offers great time-saving material; each will fit in the glove compartment of your vehicle; and each is reasonably-priced.

The American Casino Guide contains just over 200 pages listing the casinos in the United States, listed by state with locations, phone numbers, web sites, whether senior discounts are offered, price range of rooms, numbers of restaurants, whether a buffet is offered, with a complete alphabetized directory for easy location. The book contains a special discount card to be shown whenever the buyer uses any of the valuable coupons (more than $1,000 in potential value) included at the back of the book. The coupons are good throughout 2005.

Also included are more than 100 pages of gambling advice including video poker pay tables and expected range of payouts of dozens of different slot machines located around the country.

Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas is the perfect resource for pre-planning a trip to the city. If you have questions about which hotels are for the rich or which are best for those on a moderate budget or may wonder about a budget motel or how to make reservations.

The strength of the book is in the descriptions of the hotels, their shows, amenities, a profile of what makes this establishment different than the others, with ratings on their dining, buffets, shows, bowling, golf and tennis facilities if they exist, if onsite shopping is available, show prices and how to dress for the show, health clubs, nightclubs, comedy clubs, magic shows, production shows, and one of the best features of all -- estimated commuting times from one location to another in the city. Also: a unique section on knowing what the locals know -- shortcuts around town to avoid traffic jams.

For those curious about when the big crowds will be in Vegas, conventions are listed by month, what you can expect the weather to be like each month,

And a unique analysis of restaurants including which have valet parking, or disabled access. The book does include some value material on rules and strategies for gambling in the casino. Overall, one of the best packages of information for the first-timer or occasional visitor we've ever seen.

Kenny's Casino Camping makes it easy to find casinos with campgrounds or free overnight parking. Also, boondockers will find value here because as the book says "the overnighter gets a quiet, safe place to rest and relax without being hassled. Some casinos even have free electric hookups in the parking lot. And because many casinos are open 24/7, security personnel are on duty through the night.²

The book contains directories for Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin. Web sites, addresses, phone numbers, maps are included.

The book indicates if slot club members get discounts, if senior discount exist, how much of a walk it might be from the RV park to the casino, and in many cases, you'll get an idea of how many gaming tables and the types of games offered, including poker.

There are separate listings for land-based casinos and riverboats.