Casino Camping

Looking to end to the "loss limit"

2008-08-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

Missouri voters may get another chance to eliminate the unique "loss limit" that has been in effect since gaming came to the state in 1992. There have been a couple of attempts by the state legislature in recent years to end the "loss limit" rule, but they haven't succeeded.

In case you aren't familiar with Missouri's loss limit, here's how it works. When boarding a Missouri riverboat casino, patrons are required to present an ID to get a Players Club slot card. The card is used to track a person's chip and slots purchases. Individuals are not allowed to play more than $500 in any two-hour period. Casinos have established the two-hour periods as beginning with even numbered hours, i.e., 12-2, 2-4, 4-6, etc. So, for example, if you purchase $500 worth of chips, you can't buy any more until the beginning of the next even-numbered hour. Same rule for slots players -- once you've put $500 into the machines, you can't play any more until the beginning of the next even-numbered hour. The procedure is tightly controlled. Slots players know that the machine won't work until the card in inserted. Ditto for table players, they can't get chips till the card is presented. There is no limit on winnings.

Missouri is the only state with a loss limit of this type. Colorado casinos have a limt of five dollars on an individual bet. Blackjack players don't especially like that limit because they can't double down. In Washington state, most of the Indian tribes operating casinos have agreed to a maximum bet of five dollars on their slots. To my knowledge, these three states are the only ones that place limits on gamblers' wagering.

Re-branding Caesars

2008-08-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

New name, but the same casino.

The former Caesars Indiana casino has been re-branded. It is now called Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino. The 5,000-passenger riverboat -- permanently docked on the Ohio River in Elizabeth, IN -- still features more than 2,000 slots and over 100 pit/gaming tables. It is open 24/7.

Horseshoe Southern Indiana remains RV-Friendly. They have a designated lot for RVs and overnight parking is permitted. To get to the casino take I-64 exit 123 (New Albany) and follow Hwy-111 south for 8 miles. Drive past the parking garages and hotel complex and turn right onto Stuckey Road to the RV parking lot. It is walking distance to the casino.

Caesars and Horseshoe are just two of the many casino brands owned and operated by the Harrah's gaming company. In addition to the original Harrah's brand name, other brands in the Harrah's family of casinos include, Grand, Bally's, Harvey's, Paris, Rio, Showboat, Imperial Palace and Flamingo. The Harrah's Total Rewards Players Club is unique in that points earned at any of the Harrah's casinos (anywhere in the country) accumulate in a single account and the points can be redeemed for meals or other comps at any Harrah's-owned casino. Total Rewards accounts are maintained on a national computerized database and that's quite an advantage for RV travelers!

Casino Hopping In The Rockies

2008-08-06T15:50:00.001-07:00

A pleasant casino-hopping experience can be found in Colorado's historic towns of Black Hawk and Central City, west of Denver, about 10 miles off Interstate 70.

Black Hawk and Central City are old mining towns in the Rockies that prospered as a result of the gold rush of 1859. After the gold ran out, hard rock and coal mining provided employment into the early 20th century, but the area declined afterward. In 1991, gambling was revived in the old mining towns as a part of historic preservation.

Today, a dozen or so casinos are clustered in the downtown areas of the old towns. It's a fun place for RVers to visit during the summer.

A free parking area for RVs is provided at the Miners Mesa Lot, located at the highest point above Black Hawk. From there you'll have a bird's eye view of the old mining town below and can take in a spectacular 360-degree view of the mountains and even see the continental divide. The Miners Mesa Parking Lot is the ONLY place in Black Hawk/Central City with enough room for RV parking. The free shuttle bus runs to and from the Miners Mesa Lot and to all the casinos, 8am to 2am.

In addition to the larger Isle of Capri and Colorado Central Station Casinos, there are a number of small gaming locations in the charming downtown areas of the two towns.

To get to Black Hawk take exit 244 from I-70 to Highway 6 east for about 3 miles to Highway 119 north for just under 7 miles. When you get into Black Hawk take a left at the first traffic light (Mill St) and continue on Mill St through the intersection of Main St and up the hill to the Miners Mesa Lot. This is the easiest way to get to the RV parking lot. If you come off I-70 at Central City, you will have to drive all the way through the narrow streets of Central City and Black Hawk to get to Mill St.

High Country Touring the Colorado Rockies
A visually beautiful and richly informative guide to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, focusing on national parks, wilderness areas, skyways and byways, peaks, national monuments, and the Continental Divide. Learn more or order.

Ameristar Is RV-Friendly

2008-08-03T18:51:00.001-07:00

The Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa recently completed a renovation and expansion of the casino. It is now Iowa's largest riverboat with more than 1,500 slots and 39 table games.

While there is no RV Park at this location, the casino provides a convenient and quiet parking area for RVs. The north lot is designated for car and RV parking only (truck parking is on the other side of the complex.)

Ameristar is situated near the intersection of I-29 and I-80. From I-80 use exit 1A and from I-29 use exit 52. Overnight parking is OK for self-contained RVs.

Note: Even though Iowa recently passed a non-smoking law, casinos are exempt. So the casino will be quite smokey at peak times.

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON IOWA CASINO

The new Wild Rose Casino, land-based in Clinton, Iowa (see July 10th post) is open from 8am-2am weekdays and 8am-4am weekends. There is parking available for RVs. Please check in with Security if you plan to stay overnight. As with all Iowa casinos, smoking is permitted. However, this casino appears to have an excellent filtering system. When we were in the casino last month we didn't notice any heavy smoke in the air.

Lots of Penny Slots in Waterloo

2008-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

THE ISLE CASINO & HOTEL, WATERLOO, IOWA

This pretty casino is located on US-218 in Waterloo, Iowa. It opened just one year ago, so a lot of RV travelers still aren't aware that it's here. The 35,000 square-foot casino is actually a riverboat all on one level. It features over 1,100 slots in all denominations and 30 pit/table games. It has Isle of Capri signature Buffet and Farraday's restaurants plus a Starbuck's.

Smoking is still allowed in the casino and there are no separate sections for non-smokers at The Isle. Being seated next to a smoker at a gaming table or slot machine can spoil an otherwise pleasant gaming experience.

To get to The Isle take I-380 to exit 71A and merge onto US-218 south for 1.4 mile, then west on Shaulis Road. On The Isle property, follow signs to the bus parking area west of the casino building. Overnight parking is permitted for self-contained RVs.

No more free electric

2008-07-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

At the "Top of Iowa"

2008-07-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Finding a place where I can get connected on my lap top has been a bit of a challenge here in northern Iowa. Not too many hot spots. But today I found a little computer work station set up in the "Top of Iowa" Welcome Center -- I-35 exit 214, just south of the MInnesota state line. And, guess what, there's a casino right next door! So while Jack is over there getting acquainted with the dealers, I'm sending you Happy Tuesday greetings from Iowa, the state with many styles of casinos -- riverboats, land-based traditional casinos, racinos (casinos at race tracks) and even one Indian casino on the west side of the state.

The casino at the "Top of Iowa" is the Diamond Jo, opened just about two years ago. It has a huge selection of slots from pennies to dollars. The variety of video poker is somewhat disappointing and there are no nickel or penny poker machines. Live action at the gaming tables includes varied blackjack and poker plus craps and roulette. The buffet at this casino is unique featuring (in addition to the usual menu items) food freh from the fertile farms of Iowa. There's also a Burger King and Starbuck's inside the casino. The casino is open 8am-3am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends.

New Casino in Iowa

2008-07-10T19:31:00.001-07:00

En route to the Winnebago Grand National Rally last week, we made a stop in Clinton, Iowa to see the state's newest casino -- the Wild Rose, a land-based casino about 14 miles west of the Mississippi River and located on the north side of US-30.
This is the second Wild Rose land-based casino in Iowa, the first one being in north-central Iowa in Emmitsburg.

The old Mississippi Belle II, that for many years had been docked on the Mississippi River in Clinton, was purchased by the Wild Rose corporation, then closed and replaced with the new, modern land-based facility.

A "soft opening" was held on June 28, so the casino is now open Sunday thru Thursday 9am-2am and Friday & Saturday 9am-4am. A three-day official grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held July 18, 19 & 20. The Gatlin Brothers will appear in concert for the grand opening festivities.

Many of the new casino's patrons are from Illinois and Wisconsin. The all-new casino is located within a 60-room hotel. It has 600 slots and video poker michines, with odds set at 91.7%, and 16 gaming tables. Food venues include a buffet and a deli.

I took pictures of the new casino, but internet service is very, very spotty up here. Pictures of the new Wild Rose (hopefully) will follow.

Anyone heading for the Winnebago GNR in Forest City, IA... Pre-rally week begins tomorrow (July 13th). GNR Rally is July 20-25th. We're here doing book signings - Look for us on Merchants Row. Also, we're on the program for a seminar on Full-Time RVing, Monday, July 21st.

Casino Camping: Guide to RV-Friendly Casinos
This is the best casino guide for RVers. Learn which casinos have RV parks or offer free overnight stays. Plus information about other casino benefits for RVers. Learn more or order.

More Oklahoma Casinos

2008-07-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

There are three RV-Friendly casinos along US-77 in north-central Oklahoma south of the Kansas state line. US-77 is a major north/south route that generally runs parallel to I-35.

Kaw SouthWind Casino is just off US-77, a mile east of the traffic light in downtown Newkirk. The casino has more than 1,000 slots, 7 gaming tables and a restaurant. RV spaces with free electric hookups are located in the east lot.

Native Lights Casino is directly on US-77 north of Newkirk. Owned and operated by the Tonkowa Tribe, the casino is open 24/7 and has free full-hookup RV spaces south of the casino building. There is a cafe in the casino that has 700 slots and 6 tables.

First Council Casino, owned and operated by the Oloe-Missouria Tribe, is closest to Kansas -- just 2 miles south of the state line. The casino has 700 slots, 18 gaming tables, a poker room and buffet. There is a travel center on site where RVs may dry camp.

RV-Friendly casinos throughout the U.S. offer free overnight parking for self-contained RVs. These casinos are listed in Casino Camping, and if it helps you to save just one night's camping fee, the book pays for itself.

So many casinos, so little time

2008-07-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma can be considered the Indian casino capitol of the country. Oklahoma has more Native American tribes than any other state and more Indian gaming locations than any other state. A major expansion has been taking place in Oklahoma since November 2004 after a statewide gambling referendum received voter approval. The expanded gambling allows Indian casinos to add live table games and to upgrade their slots to Vegas style machines. The state's three race tracks also benefitted as the referendum allowed them to add slots at the tracks.

Now, travelers in Oklahoma will find casinos everywhere they go, and particularly adjacent to interstates and major highways.

One of our favorite stops in Oklahoma is the Fire Lake Grand Casino, located on Interstate 40 at exit 178. This RV-Friendly casino offers free RV sites with electric hookups and free fresh water and dump station on site. The 20 spaces are all back-in and walking distance to the modern casino that opened last year. The pretty 125,000 square-foot casino has the largest poker room in Oklahoma, 1,800 slots and 100 tables. Free ice cream in the casino, too!

The expansion continues. The newest casino in Oklahoma is poised to open this coming weekend. Downstream Casino Resort, located in the northeastern corner of the state near Kansas and Missouri, will have its grand opening on Saturday, July 5th. It has a high rise hotel, 70,000 square-foot casino, restaurants and retail shops. The easiest way to get to the new casino is from I-44 exit 1 in Missouri, then Highway 166 north, follow signs.

If you are out and about in the RV this summer, don't forget to take the "must-have" guide book for casinos. Casino Camping will help you to find RV-Friendly casinos throughout the U.S. It's available at the RV Bookstore.

New "racinos" popular with RVers

2008-06-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

It didn't take RVers in Indiana long to discover the state's two newest "racinos" (casinos at racetracks.) I called one of them this afternoon to find out if RV parking is available and the person who answered the phone said, "Of course, there are four or five motor homes out there already." The two new casinos at Indiana's race tracks are definitely RV-Friendly and both permit free overnight parking. They are open 24 hours daily and security is good.

The best news for travelers is that both facilities are located within a mile of the interstate exit, so you won't burn too much fuel to get to the free overnight stop:

--Indiana Downs, opened last week, is just off I-74 at exit 109.

-- Hoosier Park, opened on June 2nd, is just off I-69 at exit 26.

Greenville, MS

2008-06-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Another interesting casino destination on the Mississippi River is Greenville. There are three casinos docked on the river in Greenville. Lighthouse Point and Bayou Caddy's Jubilee Casinos are located next to each other on Lakefront Rd. Last year Harlow's Casino Resort opened in Greenville near the Mississippi River bridge in the heart of the Delta. The resort features a modern casino with 900 slots and 29 tables including a poker room. There are two restaurants, a hotel and an entertainment venue at Harlow's featuring concerts and sporting events.

All three Greenville casinos are RV-Friendly. Harlow's is currently in the process of building an RV Park, expected to open this summer. Meanwhile, RVs are invited to dry camp in the parking lot. For Lighthouse and Bayou Caddy's, RVs should park at the shuttle lot, corner of Alexander and Walnut and use the shuttle to go to both casinos. Overnight parking is permitted.

Don't let the high prices of gas get you down. RVers who love the traveling lifestyle will always find a way to cut back on other expenses so we can continue the traveling we love. One of the ways to save is to do some free dry camping, and casinos offer a great opportunity for safe free overnight parking. Our guidebook Casino Camping will help you find the RV-Friendly casinos all over the U.S. If the book helps you to save just one night's camping fee, it pays for itself!

Happy travels!

Summer in Mississippi

2008-06-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

Mississippi is known at the "Casino Capitol of the South." If your summer travels take you into this lovely state, there are several popular casino destination areas there including:
- the Gulf Coast with at least a dozen casinos stretched along more than 26 miles along the state's scenic southern coastline,
-- Tunica County in the northwest corner of the state and
-- Other locations up and down the Mississippi River.

Casinos are not the only attractions in Mississippi. One of the most popular historic spots is the town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg is rich in Civil War history. It has more monuments then any other U.S. National Park...many of the monuments are located on an interesting 16-mile driving tour. Downtown Vicksburg is a charming southern town with brick streets, shops, art galleries and outdoor murals that tell the history of the town.

There are four casinos in Vicksburg -- all are riverboat style docked along the Mighty Mississippi. The best place for RVs to park is at the Ameristar RV Park on the east side of Washington St, just three-tenths of a mile north of Interstate 20 -exit 1A. Daily fees are moderate and a discount is given at the RV Park for Ameristar players club cardholders. All sites are pull thrus and there is an outdoor pool at the park.

There are four casinos in Vicksburg. Ameristar and Diamond Jack's are across the road from the RV Park. Horizon Casino is downtown, about 2 miles up river from the RV Park and Rainbow Casino is about a mile south of the RV Park. Delta blues and jazz music by local talent are often featured at the casino lounges.

Reminder: Casino Camping is a good resource to have onboard your RV. The book -- a guide to RV-Friendly casinos -- lists casinos all over the U.S. and it pinpoints their locations, along with descriptions and accurate directions to individual casinos.

Summer is pretty in the UP

2008-06-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan -- known as "The U P" -- is a popular summer vacation destination. Outdoor non-gaming activities abound all year on this rural and mostly wooded land mass, north of the main portion of Michigan, near Canada and surrounded by three of the Great Lakes. Summer is especially lovely in the U P. If Michigan is on your travel itinerary for this year, you'll be happy to know that there are nine RV-friendly casinos in the Upper Peninsula. Here are a few you may want to consider:

Kewadin Casino & RV Park in Sault Ste. Marie is close to Canada on the east side of the Upper Peninsula. Sault Ste. Marie is Michigan's oldest city. Kewadin's RV accomodations are reasonably priced at $10 per night and the Park is a convenient home base for sightseeing in the area. Local attractions include the Agawa Canyon and the world-famous Soo Locks. The Kewadin casino includes over 700 slots, 21 gaming tables, restaurant, deli and sports bar. RV guests are invited to use the indoor pool and other amenities at the hotel. The Bawating Gallery at the resort features the largest collection of Woodland Indian art in the Midwest. To get to this resort take I-75 to exit 392, before the bridge to Ontario, go east on Three Mile Rd 2.4 miles, then north on Shunk Rd for .9 mile.

Basically, there are two ways to get to the Upper Peninsula -- from the main part of the state (south of the U P) you drive across the spectacular Mackinaw Bridge that spans the Mackinaw Straits. There is another RV-friendly Kewadin Casino at this gateway to the U P. Although it does not have RV hookups, there is ample parking for overnight dry camping for self-contained RVs. Kewadin Shores Casino at St. Ignace is open 24 hours and has over 800 slots, 24 gaming tables and three restaurants. To get there take exit 348 from I-75, go north on Mackinaw Trail for 1.4 mile.

The Upper Peninsula is accessible from the west where it is adjacent to northern Wisconsin. The Lac Vieux Desert Resort is located in the pristine forest land of the western U P. It has an RV Park with 14 sites reasonably priced at $5 per night. The casino has more than 700 slots and 18 gaming tables plus a restaurant, snack bar and 9-hole golf course. This resort can be found in Watersmeet, MI, two miles north of the junction of US-2 & US-45.

On the north shore of the western U P is the Ojibwa Casino Resort that has 12 full hookup RV spaces available for $15 per night. This casino is located near Sandpoint Lighthouse on Keneenaw Bay on Lake Superior.

Detailed information about all nine casinos on the Upper Peninsula, including a map that pin points all locations, can be found in the fourth edition of Casino Camping, available at the RV Bookstore.

New casinos to see this summer

2008-06-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

The Midwest has added new casinos in Iowa, Indiana and Michigan:

In Iowa, The long-awaited second Wild Rose land-based casino -- a replacement for the old Mississippi Belle II in Clinton, IA -- is scheduled to open in mid-July. It will be situated on 29-acres just off US-30 in Clinton. It will have a casino within a 60-room hotel, buffet restaurant, sports bar & grille and an indoor/outdoor event center. The new resort joins its sister Wild Rose Casino Resort located on US-18 in Emmitsburg. The Emmitsburg facility has a reasonably-priced RV Park; the Clinton resort will not have an RV Park when it opens. But there is plenty of room for RV parking.

In Indiana, two racinos, casinos at race tracks, open this month. Each racino will have 2,000 slots and electronic versions of the most popular table games. The racino at Hoosier Park opened this week. Its location is just off I-69 at exit 26. The racino at Indiana Downs is expected to open later this month. It will be located just off I-74 at exit 109.

In Michigan, the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino opened in January in Standish, MI. The new casino is owned by the Saginaw Chippawa Indian Tribe, the same organization that owns the popular Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant. It is open 24/7 and features 700 slots and 58 gaming tables, including 18 in the poker room. The casino is RV-Friendly.

Traveling to Maine this summer?
You may want to check out the all-new Hollywood Casino in Bangor. It had been operating as a temporary slots parlor since November 2006 while the new casino was under construction. The Hollywood Casino has a 1,000 slots and the Epic Buffet. It is located near the Bangor Raceway and OTB in historic Bass Park in downtown Bangor just a mile from I-95.

California's newest Casino RV Park

2008-05-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

California's newest casino RV Park is located at Jackson Rancheria, New York Ranch Rd, Jackson, CA -- 60 miles southeast of Sacramento. Open year-round the RV park has 100 full hookup sites, wi-fi throughout, heated pool/spa, free cable TV, showers, rest rooms and laundry. Horseshoes, volleyball and walking paths are at the park and RV guests are invited to use the luxury amenities at the hotel including pool, salon and fitness center. Free 24-hour shuttle service is provided.

The Jackson Rancheria is a popular destination for groups of RVers who enjoy camping out at a casino with their friends. The park has a clubhouse with kitchen, fireplace and big screen TV.

Daily rates at the RV park are from $35. Good Sam and AAA discounts are extended (but not on weekends or holidays.)

The 24-hour casino features 1,500 slots/video poker and live action at 65 gaming tables.

More information about the Jackson RV Park is available at 800-822-WINN.

Nevada Casinos

2008-05-22T16:19:00.000-07:00

Planning your summertime travels? One of the most popular destinations for RVers is Las Vegas. If Vegas is on your list for this year, check out the information in the April 8th and April 12th blogs. But Vegas isn't the only gaming destination in Nevada, the state where gambling has been legal since 1931. Although Vegas is the premiere gaming destination, there are other areas in Nevada that offer a relaxed, less hectic gaming experience...and many of these areas are favorites with RVers, like Laughlin, the pretty little Nevada town next to the Colorado River -- See our blog of April 19th .

Another town that we really enjoy is Pahrump in the Death Valley Region where you'll find friendly casinos and other non-gaming activities. For accomodations, the Saddle West RV Park on South Hwy 160 is the closest park to Death Valley National Park. Just outside of town you'll find a relaxing and pretty RV Park at Terrible's Lakeside Resort. Both RV parks have a pool/spa and the peddle boats at Terrible's are a lot of fun.There are casinos and restaurants at both resorts. At this time when many RVers are looking to drive less and stay longer, both of these RV parks offer weekly and monthly rates.

Pahrump, NV is about 60 miles (an hour) north of Las Vegas.

New "racino" coming to Indiana

2008-05-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Central Indiana residents looking to play at gaming machines, without spending half their winnings on gasoline to drive to riverboats on Lake Michigan or on the Ohio River, will soon have another choice. On June 2nd, Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN will open a "racino" (casino at a race track.) The new facility will have 2,000 slots and electronic table games (including video poker, blackjack, 3-card poker and roulette.) It will be open 24/7. Anderson is located about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis just off I-69 at exit 26.

Video poker

2008-05-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

If you're a video poker player and haven't yet discovered the site videopoker.com, it's a good place to practice your skills. The site offers free play on some of the most popular video poker games. The site also offers memberships (nominal monthly fee), but if you don't want to join, you can still play most of the games for free with no limit on the length of time you play.

New and next to an interstate

2008-05-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

If your summertime travels will take you into Pennsylvania this year, you may want to plan a stop to see the state's newest casino. Opened in February, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is a 365,000 square-foot state-of-the-art integrated gaming and racing facility. It's located just off Interstate 81 at exit 80 -- about one-half mile north of the exit ramp. The facility is in Granville, PA, home of Penn National, the parent company of the Hollywood Casinos that are located throughout the country.

There are over 2,000 slots and video poker machines on the first floor of the building. Live thoroughbred racining and full-card simulcasting are featured throughout the year. Dining options are at five restaurants including trackside, American & Italian restaurants, fast food and a sports bar & lounge.

For free RV parking with good security, look for the RVs in the open lot north of the casino building near the red barn. This is an "RV-friendly" facility, but there are no hookups.

Mississippi Casino Makes Good Sam Top 100 List

2008-05-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you're down in the Bay St. Louis area, looking for a place to hang it up for the night, then the Good Sam Club has a recommendation for you: The Hollywood Casino RV Park has made the club's Top 100 in membership sales for 2007.

With 101 on-site concrete pads, full-hookups (30 and 50amps), free Wi-Fi internet, cable TV, picnic tables, barbecue grills, laundry facilities, bathhouse, water features, 24-hour security and a pavilion, Hollywood has a big game going. The outfit says you'll want to take advantage of their free shuttles available throughout the 600 acre property. The Hollywood RV Park costs $28.00 per night. Good Sam club members receive a 10-percent discount.

For more information on the casino and contacts, click here.

Bay St. Louis sunset photo, courtesy Belle Isle on flickr.com

What's new

2008-05-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

In Ohio: With six months to go till election day in November, a group in Ohio has been collecting signatures to once again get a referendum on this year's ballot. The group, MyOhioNow, hopes to see a casino built in Clinton County which is southeast of Dayton. But attracting support in Ohio could be a huge challenge since Ohioans soundly defeated other gambling referendums in 1990, 1996 and 2006.

In Kentucky: Meanwhile, a proposal to add casino gambling at racetracks has been quashed. Kentucky's governor announced recently that he was not able to get enough support in the legislature for his proposal to add casinos at racetracks. Look for the proposal to resurface, however, at a future legislative session.

High fuel prices --- ugh!!!

2008-05-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Looking for free overnight parking? Anything that will help to save a few bucks these days is welcomed. Just a reminder: Appendix B in the current (3rd) edition of Casino Camping lists 88 casinos throughout the country that are located within 2 miles of an interstate exit, so you won't burn too much fuel getting to that RV-Friendly casino. Warning: There is one exception on that list -- Empress Casino near I-80 in Joliet, IL does not allow free overnight parking for RVs. They require you to pull into their (somewhat pricey) campground.

Downstate Illinois: Near I-24

2008-04-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Harrahs in Metropolis, Illinois is RV-Friendly and is convenient to Interstate 24 in the southern end of the state. It's a medium sized riverboat, docked on the Ohio River, with gambling on three levels. The gaming floors are roomy with roulette, craps and several blackjack & three-card poker tables on the second level and a poker room on the top level. Over 1,200 gaming machines throughout are upgraded as new slots and video poker machines debut.

There is a designated section for oversized vehicles on the quiet end of the parking lot. Free overnight parking is available. The casino is just 3.8 miles from I-24 exit 37.

We have visited lots of casinos throughout the country. From time to time we receive coupon offers for a free night at a casino hotel, but usually the offer arrives at our mailbox when we're hundreds of miles away from that particular casino. This week, when we knew we'd be passing through southern Illinois, we called to say we were in the area and to ask if the free hotel room offer (the one we received last year) could be used now. Surprisingly, they gave us the free room. I guess it was a slow week. So I got to enjoy a bubble bath...what a treat! (Only full-timin' RVing gals can identify with that.) The moral of this story is, it never hurts to ask for comps -- casinos are always willing to attract people to their gaming floor. Sometimes when you ask for a comp, they'll say no, but often they say yes. You never know unless you ask.

Slower paced casino-hopping in Nevada

2008-04-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

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.