Blog Casinos

Where The Fun Is At Ala COVID!

By The Four Ace Master September 10, 2020Blog, Casinos

casinos COVID Gambling Gambling the hot list

The casino landscape is in jeopardy – I don’t believe there is a casino that has not taken a significant hit by this pandemic. Every casino has furloughed or outright laid off employees. Most casino destinations are handcuffed by state regulations and corporate responsibilities to ensure guest safety. So for much of the US, there is a limited amount of fun to be had. That being said, you can still have fun! In this edition of The Hot List, I am going to show you where to find the fun, starting with the places you can have the most fun and working my way down. Keep on gambling y’all and have great luck out there.
*Quick Run Down – My Top 10 Places To Have Fun*
If you are torturing yourself and want to go somewhere to gamble and party, below is a shortlist of my top ten destinations – you can stop reading here and start booking right now. In the later excerpts, I’ll provide details of what you can actually get away with and why they make my fun rankings. Keep in mind if you live in the Northeast, you may need to quarantine for 14 days travelling to or from these areas so make sure to factor that in. Top Ten Gambling Destinations 1. Deadwood, South Dakota 2. Biloxi, Mississippi 3. Phoenix, Arizona 4. Las Vegas, Nevada 5. Reno/Lake Tahoe, Nevada 6. Shreveport, Louisiana 7. Tampa, Florida 8. Black Hawk, Colorado 9. Central City, Colorado 10. Atlantic City, NJ Of course, this list is based on current COVID restrictions, things to do there, how many people are there at one time, how bad COVID is in that area, if there has indoor dining, beverage service and many other factors. If this was a Fair weather list, LV and AC would be 1 and 2, but such is the times. Lake Tahoe almost took LV – Crazy!
The Fun Deets

*Deadwood, South Dakota*
Of all the places I’ve been on my road trip, Deadwood continues to be the most consistent. There are dozens of casinos, plenty of non-gambling activities and adventures waiting. Add to that the low population density and lax COVID rules make this place my number one stop for fun. Closest Airport: Rapid City, SD (40 min drive) COVID Risk: Low – low population density, no mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor: No mask required, full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Daily Western shootoutsfour times a day, Nearby –Mt. Rushmore (40 min drive)
*Biloxi, Mississippi*
In all the times I have been to Biloxi, I have never won. This town has made me their bitch, but I still love going there. Biloxi has a great nightlife, tons of casinos to choose from and lots of other activities for those of your friends and family who hate gambling 😉 The best action for me has always been at Imperial Palace but I am too stupid to stay there. For your sake, for nightlife come to HR and Beau Rivage, for playing, go to IP. Closest Airport: Gulfport, MS (15 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate – medium population density, minor mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks suggested (required at Harrah’s), full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Beau Rivage Casino, Hard Rock pool scene, Nearby –Gulf of Mexico fishing (10 min drive)
*Phoenix, Arizona*
Phoenix has many casinos, just outside of Phoenix. A short drive gets you to the casinos, and from there you are near the Sedona, The Red Rocks and Phoenix itself, which I’ve been through a few times. I personally enjoyed staying at Ak-Chin Harrah’s. If I had two weeks to fool around in AZ, I would start there and work my way through Phoenix and the other casinos until I reached Sedona. Beautiful country there. Closest Airport: Phoenix, AZ (50 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate-High – medium population density, minor mask requirements, COVID peak is headed down Casino Floor Rules: Masks suggested (required at Harrah’s), full beverage service Casinos: about 4 Must Do and See: In town – Phoenix Suns, Phoenix nightlife (great bands and bards), Nearby –Red Rocks Sunset (10 – 90 min drive, depending on casino)
*Las Vegas, Nevada*
Las Vegas is just one of those towns that has just so much going on. In regular conditions, this is the numero uno place to be. THERE IS NO COMPETITION. The night life is supreme, there are great attractions and activities and there are just so many casinos and bars and bands and people watching and – sigh. I need to stop. Right now, with their current implementation, pool bars are even having trouble getting the party going. So, for now, my sweet harsh mistress is in the middle of fun. Closest Airport: Las Vegas, NV (5 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate-High – high population density, mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks required when playing, full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Las Vegas Strip, Downtown, Nearby –Hoover Dam, Gun Store (10 – 50 min drive)
*Reno / Lake Tahoe, Nevada*
Reno and Lake Tahoe are two towns I had planned to hit on the drive back but could not thanks to COVID and this crazy world we live in. These two towns are an ideal place to visit now due to the lower population density and amount of outdoor activities going on, especially Lake Tahoe. Closest Airport: Reno, NV (5-30 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate – medium population density, mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks required, full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Reno main strip, Lake Tahoe outdoor bars, Nearby –Lake Tahoe lake activities (10 min drive)
*Shreveport, Louisiana*
This is an unfair review. Some of my closest friends live in this town. I have never lost in any Shreveport casino ever. The nightlife in Shreveport Downtown and the area is amazing. If you go there, try to catch a rugby game on a Saturday and stick around for the best afterparty of your life. Closest Airport: Shreveport, LA (15 min drive) COVID Risk: Low – medium population density, minor mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks suggested (required at Horeshoe), full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Shreveport Downtown nightlife, Nearby –Catch a line dancing and pop music club (15 min drive)
*Black Hawk, Colorado*
I have never been to Black Hawk, but based on reccommendations and general COVID rules, I am putting her on this list. This town seems to have plenty of day and night activities for all types and with the low population density and mask requirements, you are sure to have a good time. Closest Airport: Denver, CO (60 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate – medium population density, minor mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks suggested, full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count Must Do and See: In town – Old Time Black Hawk Downtown
*Central City, Colorado*
I have never been to Central City, but again I am putting this town on this list based on recommendations and general COVID rules. This town is a skier’s paradise with plenty of night time stuff to do. God I wish I was 20 again so I could go skinny dipping in a hot tub with naked girls. Closest Airport: Denver, CO (60 min drive) COVID Risk: Moderate – medium population density, minor mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks suggested, full beverage service Casinos: Too many to count
*Atlantic City, New Jersey*
My final place to have a good time in this edition is Atlantic City. This is a sad entry, as typically she would be number two on this list behind Las Vegas. Unfortunately, COVID restriction doesn’t allow you to have a beverage on the casino floor AT ALL, although they let you bring water because imagine being an old lady and playing for eight hours straight without a drink. AC also has strict mask requirements and currently no indoor dining, so you have to take your $400 steak order and eat it in your room like a savage with plastic forks. Avoid this place until full beverage service is allowed to return back. Currently indoor eating starts Sept 4^th and I imagine beverage service will start when hell freezes over. Closest Airport: Atlantic City, NJ (15 min drive) or Philadelphia, PA (1-hour drive) COVID Risk: Low – high population density, strong mask requirements, no COVID outbreaks Casino Floor Rules: Masks required, no beverage service Casinos: 9 Must Do and See: In town – Atlantic City Boardwalk; Nearby – NOTHING. STAY ON THE BOARDWALK OR AT THE MARINA OR DIE

Share this:

Like this: