Casinos

Casinos in Lake Tahoe - Big Promises, Big Prizes

Looking for a thrifty meal & lodging in Lake Tahoe? Check out the casinos on the south shore of Tahoe. The Casino lifestyle offers cheap steak & beds, free lake tahoe entertainment, and gambling to your heart’s content (not so free).

Conservatives beware-staying at a casino may include some hidden costs, such as (1) a hangover, (2) some rockin’ new friends from Arizona State, and (3) a few wads lost at Black jack. But-every Casino in Lake Tahoe delivers its promise of affordable food and fancy-looking hotel rooms.

Casinos are the gathering places for people from all walks of life looking for a break-the rich, trying to pay off that new condo in Italy, the poor, hoping to get lucky so they can buy Uncle Joe’s old truck. It’s a place for wayward eyes to feast, and ex-smokers to relish a cigar “for old time’s sake.” (Lung cancer be damned!)

Lake Tahoe is unique among vacation destinations because it caters to skiers, athletes, celebrities, outdoor enthusiasts, and enterprising tourists. Though the casinos tend to blur together (they’re all owned by the same gaming conglomerates), they are all worth a peak if you’re tempted to try your luck and donate extra cash to the generous, rich men who run the show.

Biggest Casinos & Bars in Lake Tahoe

BILL’S CASINO, LAKE TAHOE

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • William’s Back Door Blues Club
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • American cuisine, steak, and seafood
  • Website: www.harrahs.com
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Bills/Harrahs home page)
  • Lake Tahoe’s only smoke-free casino
  • Nightclub, lounges, bars, etc.
  • Ski package deals
  • email: dray@laketahoe.harrahs.com
  • Mailing address: PO Box 8, Stateline, NV 89449
  • (775) 588-2455

HARRAH’S LAKE TAHOE CASINO

  • Second largest casino in Lake Tahoe
  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • $1 drinks at Altitude Nightclub (1-775-586-6705)
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • American cuisine, steak, and seafood
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Bills/Harrahs home page)
  • Mailing address: PO Box 8, Highway 50, Stateline, NV 89449
  • 15 Hwy 50 Stateline, NV
  • 1-800-HARRAHS
  • (775) 588-6611
  • Website: www.harrahs.com

HARD ROCK CAFE & Bar, LAKE TAHOE

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe (inside Harvey’s casino)
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts. American cuisine, steak, and seafood, salads, and soups.
  • Restaurant hours: 5 p.m.-Midnight.
  • Bar open until 2 am. Merchandise & gift shop open until 10 pm.
  • Extensive wine menu-Jerry Garcia is the local favorite, made from 100% Chardonnay.
  • Lunch and dinner. Their legendary 10 oz. burgers keep customers coming, and they have good salads, fajitas, and an herb-grilled chicken breast with roasted mushrooms. Appetizers are all greasy-not for the health-conscious. Dessert menu is an average collection of super rich ice cream confections (all featuring Häagen-Dazs ice cream).
  • Entrée price range: $8-$20
  • Reservations: no, online px preferred seating (up to 15 people; special accommodations can be made for parties and receptions at the indoor patio at Hard Rock Café Lake Tahoe)
  • 775-588-6200
  • Located in Harvey’s Casino
  • Address: Hwy 50, Stateline, NV (or: C/O Harvey’s Resort Hotel/Casino Stateline Ave., Stateline, NV 89449
  • Phone: (775) 588-6200
  • Website: www.hardrock.com

HARVEYS RESORT & CASINO

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • 4 nightclubs
  • Houses the Hard Rock Café, Cabo Wabo cantina (with Sammy Hagar), Dueling Pianos, and more
  • Outdoor concerts
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Bills/Harrahs home page)
  • Mailing address: 30 Highway 50, Stateline, NV 89449
  • 1-800-427-8397
  • 1-775-588-2411
  • Website: www. harrahs.com

HORIZON CASINO & RESORT

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • First called the Sahara Tahoe, where Elvis Presley often performed in the 1970s.
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • American cuisine, steak, and seafood
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Horizon home page)
  • 50 Highway 50, Stateline NV 89449
  • Plenty of Free Parking
  • 800-648-3322 (reservations)
  • Website: www. horizoncasino.com

LAKESIDE INN & CASINO

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe, East of the other casinos
  • Locals’ favorite casino in the Tahoe area.
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • $2 drinks
  • Timber House Restaurant with American cuisine, steak, and seafood
  • Comedy, magic shows, music, cabaret
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Bills/Harrahs home page)
  • Mailing address: 168 Highway 50, Stateline, NV 89449
  • 1-800-626-7980
  • (775) 588-7777
  • Website: www. lakesideinn.com

MONTBLEU CASINO & SPA

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • Newest of the “big 6″ casinos
  • Unique services and alliances: True Bleu, Bleu Ribbon Pets, NetBleu, Weddings, Bleu Wave Yacht
  • Bleu Ribbon Pet packages offer in room dog or cat bed, liter boxes, water, food dishes, special adult and puppy/kitten room service (bring your own food, or buy it at Rite A
  • Small area to exercise/walk your pet
  • Pet groomers and veterinarians in Lake Tahoe, but not onsite
  • Pet pampering from the paws up. When you sign up for a Pet Package online or add it to your reservation, you get a room that’s pre set with: a pet bed, cat litter, water and food dishes and a small bottle of water (both dog and cat options are available). Luxury shuttle bus transportation to and from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport.
  • Luxury shuttle service offered daily
  • MontBleu supports GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,
  • Nightlife managed by Club Nero’s own Paul Reder.
  • 4 new clubs
  • Blackjack, craps, bingo, poker, keno, slot machines, sports books, and roulette wheels
  • Lunch, dinner, and alcoholic beverages of all sorts.
  • Restaurant-Ciera Steak + Chophouse-won 2008 AAA Diamond Award
  • Wedding chapel
  • Promotes responsible gambling/gambling (check out “Know when to stop before you start” website link on Bills/Harrahs home page)
  • Mailing address: 55 Highway 50, Stateline, NV 89449
  • 1-800-648-3353
  • Website: www. montbleuresort.com

CAESARS LAKE TAHOE MONTBLEU RESORT & CASINO

  • Former site of the Famous Club Nero Disco
  • Replaced by MontBleu Resort Casino
  • Famous for hip-hop music and go-go cages
  • New Club Nero opened at MontBleu Resort and Casino, with original Club Nero founder Paul Reder in charge of nightlife
  • Bought out by Columbia Sussex Corporation in 2006
  • Mont Bleu still has dancing nightly 9pm - 4am
  • See: www.montbleuresort.com

THE CABO WABO CANTINA

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • Located inside Harvey’s Casino
  • Owned by Red Rocker Sammy Hagar
  • Famous “body shot” drink
  • Hwy 50, Stateline, NV
  • (775) 588-2411
  • (800) 553-1022
  • Opening hours: Fri-Tues 11am, Wed & Thurs 5pm
  • email: Jrpacker@laketahoe.harrahs.com
  • website: www.harveystahoe.com

Non-Casino Nightlife You Can’t Miss

Lake Tahoe has a friendly nightlife scene that’s hip and casual. Casinos offer a lot-from shows and roulette to pet pampering services-but everybody needs a break from the crowds now and then.

The smaller-scale bars and clubs offer a friendly, personal atmosphere and exceptional food you won’t find inside the casinos.

Check out The Divided Sky (www.thedividedsky.com), where athletes and their admirers hang out.

Or go for upscale drinks at Fire and Ice (located in Marriott Timber Lodge, www.fire-ice.com), next to smooth and stylish Heavenly Village in Heavenly Ski Resort.

Another option for a casual beer and a game of pool is Turn 3 Sports Bar (1-530-542-3199). By and large, The Tudor Pub is everybody’s favorite (www.dorysoar.com). (Also see NIGHT LIFE.)

THE TUDOR PUB

  • Location: South Shore Lake Tahoe
  • Local’s favorite places for love & drinks in Lake Tahoe
  • Good food, great prices
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Hours: noon - “until closing time.”
  • Happy hour (3:30-5:30)
  • 4 drinks for $12 during Happy Hour
  • English fish and chips (Atlantic Cod), interesting modern English pub food, such as Spicy Maryland Crab Lasagna. Extensive wine menu.
  • Live music: 2 to 4 nights a week (depending on the season)
  • Address: 1041 Fremont Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Phone: 530.541.6603
  • Website: www.dorysoar.com