Native American Gaming — Your Local Neighborhood Casino

When you descend upon McCarran International Airport during a late Las Vegas night, the city’s vibrant colors can appear both mystical and overwhelming: the carnival blue and red of the Rio, the emerald green of the MGM, the perfect parallel gold lines that make up Mandalay Bay. There truly is no place quite like Sin City.

But when it’s all said and done, Las Vegas is a city that has been created for tourists — for visitors who come in for a couple of days to get a taste of the madness.

Your local Indian casino offers an experience that can be just as rewarding, and it’s in your own backyard.

Nationwide, according to the National Indian Gaming Association, 233 tribes in 28 states use Indian gaming to create new jobs, fund essential government services, and rebuild communities.

In total, members of nations, tribes, or bands of Native Americans who have sovereignty or independence from the government of the United States operate more than 400 casinos that are spread out all over the United States. From California to Oklahoma, and New Mexico to New York, local patrons are able to find convenient gaming and great poker action.

The tribes gained the ability to offer gaming after several court battles and many challenges from local governments. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) was the Supreme Court decision that made it clear that Indian tribes had the right to manage their own affairs, and Bryan v. Ithasca County (1967) broke the doors wide open in terms of gaming.

The latter case began after a Chippewa couple was erroneously charged $147 in property tax by a local county in Minnesota, despite the fact that they were living on Indian territory. After multiple losses in the lower courts, the Supreme Court put forth a unanimous ruling in favor of the Bryans, saying that no state had the authority to tax Indians on Indian reservations. But the court went one step further, saying the state also lacked the authority to “regulate” Indian activities on said property.

That ruling laid the groundwork for Indian casinos all across the country.

Today, most U.S. states host Native American casinos. Those casinos range from tiny bingo halls to massive resorts. Thanks to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), the casinos bring in much-needed revenue for both the tribes and the states in which they are located. The tribes use this revenue for the general welfare of their people, establishing schools and scholarships, cultural preservation, health-care clinics, and new roads and housing, amongst other things.

While they may not be as well-known as Bellagio or The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip, many of these Indian casinos are no less impressive, and offer a myriad of options and promotions to keep their customers coming back again and again.

This Special Advertising Section features some of the best Native American casinos in America, all of which offer great poker action.

San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino
Located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino is owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and provides premier entertainment for all of Southern California.

With table games like blackjack, Let It Ride, pai gow, mini-baccarat, and San Manuel Craps, a high-stakes bingo hall, poker in a 60-table smoke-free poker room, 3,000 of the latest and most innovative slot machines, San Manuel is where those 21 and older go for fun.

Not only does San Manuel feature outstanding gaming options, it is also known for its exceptional dining and headliner entertainment. The Serrano Buffet offers all-you-can-eat international cuisine; the SportsWatch Grill is for sports fans at heart; Tutu’s Food Court offers quick-service, café-style dining; and The Pines steakhouse serves California’s freshest coastal cuisine.

On Thursdays, headliner entertainment is featured in the Yuhaviatam showroom. Upcoming events include Tim McGraw (Nov. 19), Joan Sebastian (Dec. 3), and King of the Cage (Dec. 10).

As a way of rewarding players, San Manuel offers free membership into its exclusive players club, Club Serrano. Members accumulate points for their slot and bingo play. These points may be redeemed for additional slot play, dining upgrades, headliner-entertainment ticket discounts, and much more.

For more information on San Manuel, please visit www.SanManuel.com or call 1-800-359-2464.

Pechanga Resort & Casino
California’s biggest and best resort and casino, Pechanga, is nestled in Temecula’s picturesque Southern California wine country. The 188,000-square-foot casino is the largest in the Western United States, and features more than 3,400 slots and 130 table games, not including the 54-table poker room.

Pechanga is a table-game paradise. The variety and table limits provide action for players at virtually every level. Game choices include blackjack, three-card poker, Let It Ride, mini-baccarat, and the uniquely exciting Pechanga Craps. Poker players will find gaming excitement seven days a week in Pechanga’s award-winning, smoke-free poker room. Tournaments start daily at 10 a.m.

Designed with player comfort in mind, the Pechanga casino floor is equipped with a state-of-the-art air-filtration system, and offers extensive nonsmoking areas. The 14,000-square-foot high-limit gaming area provides those who enjoy high-stakes wagering a spacious, luxurious atmosphere. Complete with a private dining lounge, this VIP sanctuary caters to the every need of the sophisticated casino guest, including reserved gaming. Don’t forget to sign up for the Pechanga Rewards Club, and benefit from the most generous comps in the state.

Pechanga is a great place to stay and play, as it’s the winner of AAA’s Four Diamond award seven years running, and features 517 beautifully appointed and spacious guest rooms, including 64 suites and the newly expanded Spa Pechanga.

The resort’s newest addition — the world-class, par-72 golf course Journey at Pechanga — was recently ranked fourth in the “Best New Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine.

You are sure to find a world of culinary delights at Pechanga’s eight award-winning restaurants and food court. For a night on the town, there is no better place than Pechanga, with superstar entertainment from Rob Thomas to Bob Dylan, its Comedy Club four nights a week, three nightclubs and lounges, including the world-renowned Silk, and championship boxing, which rounds out the bill of regularly scheduled events.
   
For more information on Pechanga, please visit www.pechanga.com or call 951-693-1819.

Muckleshoot Casino
Muckleshoot Casino has grown again. In only 14 years, the casino has grown from a modest temporary structure to the biggest and best in the Northwest.

The latest expansion project, completed in August 2009, added almost 45,000 square feet of gaming space. The addition houses the latest in video-gaming machines and a smoke-free table-games area, plus an all-new Players Club, gift shop, coat check, Media Bar, Sweet Shoppe, and much, much more.

With more than 2,900 machines, Muckleshoot Casino is home to the best selection of video-gaming machines in the area. Play all the new progressive-jackpot games that reach for the stars, including Million Degrees, Washington’s only million-dollar-payout machine. Or, play a hand at more than 100 table games featuring all of your favorites, such as baccarat, blackjack, Spanish 21, craps, pai gow, poker, and much, much more.

It’s all here as you enjoy the best culinary experiences in the Northwest, including Asian, Spice Bay Buffet, the all-new Coyaba Grill, and much more. With so many choices, you’ll find something new every time you visit.

Muckleshoot Casino offers the best in live entertainment seven nights a week at Club Galaxy, a state-of-the-art entertainment complex where admission is always free. You can party like a rock star while you watch and listen to the best in R&B, top 40, jazz, and the blues.

Everyone’s an all-star at Muckleshoot Casino. By joining the Preferred Players Club, you can start enjoying all of the benefits by redeeming your points for cash back, shopping, dining, and much more. So get your card, and get your game on at Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, the biggest and best in the Northwest!

For more information on Muckleshoot, please visit www.muckleshootcasino or call 800-804-4944.

Sycuan Casino
Friendly and San Diego-close, Sycuan Casino is the perfect place to get away for the day. Enjoy exciting slots, table games, poker, bingo, and great dining. Open 24 hours daily.

Sycuan Casino has 2,000 exciting reel and video slot machines, 67 gaming tables, poker, and bingo. Join Club Sycuan and enjoy benefits like cash back, monthly free-play offers, and free entries into San Diego’s biggest and best gaming promotions.

Enjoy a smoke-free day in San Diego’s first and largest fully enclosed nonsmoking room, complete with its own separate entrance. With more than 500 slots, table games, gift shop, and more, it’s a breath of fresh air.
Slot machines or gaming tables aren’t the only places to play and win. Our promotions calendar is filled all year, with millions of dollars in cash and prizes waiting to be won.

You won’t want to miss Sycuan’s sumptuous all-you-can-eat Oasis Buffet or the wide selection of menu options at the Wachena Restaurant. If you’re in the mood for more casual fare, grab a sandwich or a snack at the Sunset Deli or the Bingo Snack Bar.

Free transportation to and from Sycuan Casino is available. Choose from several shuttle stops located throughout San Diego County. A valid photo ID is required. Call 619-445-6002 for shuttle locations and times.

Located just down the road, Sycuan Resort offers first-class accommodations, 54 holes of award-winning golf courses, a lighted tennis facility, spa services, fabulous dining, and a cocktail lounge. Voted “San Diego’s Favorite Golf Course” by SignOnSanDiego.com.

For more information on Sycuan Casino, please visit www.sycuancasino.com or call 800-2-SYCUAN.

Viejas Casino
San Diego’s best casino just keeps getting better and better. Viejas Casino is proud to announce the opening of a brand-new poker room, located on the main floor in the heart of the casino.

The new facility has more than 20 tables, more plasma-screen televisions for sporting events, and easier access for players and spectators. That means more energy and excitement during tournament play — like the guaranteed $100,000 first-place prize money in the no-limit hold’em tournament that will be held Jan. 30-31.

In addition to San Diego’s best poker action, Viejas offers more than 80 table games, daily bingo, nationwide off-track betting, and thousands of San Diego’s hottest slots. It all starts with your free V Club card. Take advantage of great promotions, free shows, dining discounts, shopping specials, golf savings, and more.

Great gaming is just one of the reasons why players come back to Viejas again and again. Viejas offers tremendous food specials in China Camp, Daisy’s Café, The Grove Steakhouse, and the Harvest Buffet. Taste what you’ve been missing!

The Viejas Outlet Center is what sets Viejas apart from any other casino in San Diego. Take advantage of huge savings of 30 percent-70 percent on America’s favorite brands, like Guess, GAP, Nike, and Coach. And if you’re looking for entertainment, look no further. Later this fall, Viejas will be rolling out a new bowling center. You can even go ice skating on the biggest outdoor rink in Southern California throughout the holiday season. And there’s always plenty of nighttime entertainment in the DreamCatcher and V Lounge.

With its convenient location just 30 minutes from downtown San Diego, Viejas Casino has it all.

For more information on Viejas, please visit www.viejas.com or call 619-445-5400.

Wildhorse Resort
The Poker Round-Up (PRU) at Wildhorse Resort Casino is held twice each year, in April and November; these events are well-established, and dominate the tournament poker world of the greater Pacific Northwest.

The next PRU is slated for Nov. 4-15, and it will feature tens of thousands of dollars in added money; plus, each winner will receive a weeklong ocean cruise for two. There will be 13 events during the 12-day tournament.

PRU total prize money always tops $1,000,000, and average attendance is about 345 players per event. These are first-class poker tournaments, which is why they remain well-attended even during the recent economic downturn.

Wildhorse’s success and great reputation can be attributed to many things: friendly and helpful employees, willingness to cater to poker players right down to the smallest details, and its overall atmosphere of fun. The entry fee to all events is only $15, no matter how much the buy-in is. And, of course, there is the prize money. In addition to players receiving great prize money for low buy-ins, every winner is currently awarded a multi-day poker cruise for two.

There are 28 live games at all levels, with very good action — and they feature a flat rake of $3, never more.

Even though the casino’s main market is the Pacific Northwest, players come to Wildhorse from all over to participate in the great action.

For more information on Wildhorse Resort, please visit www.wildhorseresort.com or call 800-654-9453.

Pala Casino Spa & Resort
The recently expanded Pala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las Vegas-style casino with more than 2,000 slot machines, 15 poker tables, and 87 table games; a 507-room hotel; and a 10,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon.

Pala also offers 10 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort has been a AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for six consecutive years. The state-of-the-art Pala Spa won 2009 Best Casino Spa honors from Spas of America. 

Southern California poker players can win a share of $25,000 and test their skill against poker pro Annie Duke when she hosts the $25,000 Annie Duke Freeroll Poker Challenge at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, in the new 15-table poker room at Pala Casino Spa & Resort.

Players can qualify for the $25,000 Annie Duke Freeroll Poker Challenge, which will be a freeroll tournament, by registering for a Pala Privileges players card. The first 117 players who play 100 hours in the Pala poker room between 12 a.m., Monday, Nov. 16, and midnight, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, will win entry into the tournament. Pala Privileges cards are available at the Privileges Center in the casino. Tournament entry selections will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 10 final-table players will each win a share of the $25,000 tournament jackpot. First place will win $8,000; second, $4,900; third, $3,500; fourth, $2,000; fifth, $1,700; sixth, $1,500; seventh, $1,200; eighth, $1,000; ninth, $700; and 10th, $500. Duke will play at each table during the tournament. The first player to win a hand after going all in with Duke will win a $1,000 bonus.

For more information on Pala Casino, please visit www.palacasino.com or call 760-510-5100.

Fire Lake Grand
Potawatomi Nation’s Fire Lake Grand poker room offers players the lowest rake in the state of Oklahoma, liberal comps, and 100 percent bad-beat contribution. The most popular games in the 21-table poker room, managed by Todd Grantz, are $1-$2 no-limit hold’em, maximum $500 buy-in, and a variety of affordable daily tournaments.

Tableside food and beverage service is available to players. Located east of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on I-40, the Fire Lake poker room offers poker action 24/7.

For more information on Fire Lake Grand, please visit www.firelakegrand.com or call 405-964-7263.

Choctaw Casino – Durant
Choctaw Casino is currently undergoing major renovation and expansion, which is scheduled for completion in February 2010. Plans include a luxurious 300-room resort hotel, a variety of new food-service outlets, including a steakhouse, and a new 30-table poker room.

The new poker room, which will nearly double the size of the current 18-table room that’s managed by Frank Converse, will be located on the second floor, separate from the main casino floor. Additional perks for players will include a private, four-table high-roller room, and an elegant players lounge.

Players can take a break from the game and enjoy the tropical-themed water park and spa, offering all the amenities that one might expect in an upscale Las Vegas resort. Conveniently located about an hour north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Choctaw Casino is the perfect poker and getaway destination.

For more information on Choctaw Casino – Durant, please visit www.choctawcasinos.com/poker.sap or call 580-920-0160.

Bordertown Casino
Bordertown Bingo & Casino, located directly on the Oklahoma-Missouri border, is owned and operated by the Eastern Shawnee Tribe and has been in continuous operation since 1987.

Although the casino is located in a small rural town, it is just down the road from one of the busiest interstate cities in the country, Joplin, Missouri. Despite the fact that there are a number of casinos scattered across the landscape in the immediate area, Bordertown has built a solid reputation as the No. 1 casino destination in the busy tri-state area. Players converge on the 15-table poker room, managed by Vickie Smalley, from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and points beyond, making this one of the hottest, most challenging poker rooms in the state of Oklahoma.

While moving forward with plans for more ambitious casino projects in the future, the Eastern Shawnee have successfully maintained pride in their culture and traditions, resulting in a harmonious balance of the past and present.

For more information on Bordertown Casino, please visit www.bordertownbingo.com or call 1-800-957-2435.

Potawatomi Casino
Potawatomi Casino offers one of the most excellent poker experiences anywhere in the Upper Midwest. Chicagoland players are discovering that it is worth their time to make the 90-minute trip to Milwaukee, and they are flocking to this recently remodeled and enlarged poker room.

Aside from the accommodating staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and excellent management, the games are the biggest attraction in this 30-table poker room, run by Joe Bernardi.

Potawatomi spreads $30-$60 daily, as well as a variety of stakes for both beginners and seasoned players. Omaha, stud, and limit and no-limit hold’em games also offer players the opportunity to compete in their game of choice.
Potawatomi is located in a sleek, chic urban setting. It is a “must stop” for anyone traveling to or living in the Milwaukee or Chicago area.

For more information on Potawatomi Casino, please visit www.paysbig.com or call 1-800-PaysBig.

Foxwoods Resort Casino
In 1986, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation opened the original high-stakes bingo hall. Today, Foxwoods is the largest casino in North America, housing one the world’s premier poker destinations. The Foxwoods WPT World Poker Room is also the largest poker room on the East Coast, offering players from across the globe 104 action-packed tables 24/7.

An extensive array of the most popular games are spread, including Texas hold’em, seven-card stud, and Omaha eight-or-better, so players can find the right fit for them, from casual $1 tables all the way up to nosebleed high-stakes no-limit hold’em games.

Mark your calendar for two upcoming tournaments: First, the annual Black Friday tournament will take place on Nov. 27. This popular $400 buy-in event is limited to 250 players. Then, the Mega Stack Challenge is scheduled to take place Dec. 15-20. This deep-stack tournament is extremely popular, drawing an excellent field of players, and features three events: $340, $560, and $2,000 no-limit hold’em.

For more information on Foxwoods, please visit www.foxwoods.com or call 1-800-752-9244.

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
The poker room at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino not only is the friendliest in New Mexico, but offers players a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facility. If you like to win, this is the place to be. Players win an average of $33,000 in cash and special prizes each and every month.

The poker room, managed by Harry Walker, is a spacious and comfortable nonsmoking area, offering eight tables with seating for nine players at each (10 in tournaments). Players also can enjoy personal bar service.

Name your game, and it will be spread. The most popular games are $2-$6 limit hold’em and $1-$3 no-limit hold’em. There is always something exciting happening; with a constant variety of promotions and tournaments, players never run out of options.

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is located in the heart of northern New Mexico — internationally known for its Native American culture, art, shopping, and scenic beauty. There are dozens of attractions within a few minutes of the resort, and at night, entertainment and nightlife are just steps away, making this an excellent destination for a poker vacation.

The property also houses an on-premise art gallery that features the best of the best in Native American art.

Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is conveniently located just 15 minutes north of the Santa Fe Plaza, 60 minutes south of Taos, and 75 minutes north of Albuquerque.

For more information on Buffalo Thunder, please visit www.buffalothunderresort.com or call 505-455-5555.

Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino
Towering 10 stories above the Gila River Indian Community is the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, a luxurious new Phoenix hotel and casino that promises to deliver the finest in upscale service and accommodations.

Poker players will enjoy a new, state-of-the-art, 20-table poker room, managed by Deborah Perry, with some great new tournament agendas on the horizon.

Players can indulge in Vegas-style casino entertainment without the hustle and bustle of Vegas crowds. The new Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino features 242 hotel rooms and a 100,000-square-foot Vegas-style casino. Additionally, there is 12,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, as well as a variety of fine-dining restaurants, including the famous Shula’s Steak House, and the most exciting nightclubs and lounges in Arizona.  Entertainment abounds, all under one roof.  The Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino is reinventing Phoenix entertainment and nightlife.

The hotel offers full concierge services to assist you with dinner reservations, entertainment tickets, car rentals, transportation, airline boarding passes, and local Phoenix activities, from horseback riding to exploring the extraordinary Old West town of Rawhide.

If you are planning a trip to Phoenix for business, pleasure, and/or poker, this is the place to be. Stay and play at the all-new Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino.

For more information on Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino, please visit www.wingilariver.com or call 800-946-4452.

Other Casinos Near You
1. Mohegan Sun Uncasville, Connecticut
2. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Florida
3. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, Florida
4. The Island Resort & Casino Harris, Michigan
5. Seneca Allegany Casino Hotel Salamanca, New York
6. Seneca Niagara Niagara Falls, New York
7. Cherokee Casino/Resort Roland, Oklahoma
8. Creek Nation Tulsa, Oklahoma
9. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa, Oklahoma
10. Winstar Casino Thackerville, Oklahoma
11. Riverwind Casino Norman, Oklahoma
12. Menominee Casino & Hotel Keshena, Wisconsin
13. Potawatomi Milwaukee, Wisconsin
14. Casinos Arizona Scottsdale, Arizona
15. St. Croix Turtle Lake, Wisconsin
16. Fire Keeper’s Battle Creek, Michigan
17. Fort McDowell Fort McDowell, Arizona
18. Desert Diamond Tucson, Arizona
19. Black Bear Casino & Hotel Carlton, Minnesota
20. Soaring Eagle Mt. Pleasant, Michigan