The frigid arctic blast that encompasses a large swath of the United States during the winter can be brutal. In these warmer locations, you can certainly send photos of yourself at the golf course in 65-degree weather while your friends up in the Midwest or the Northeast are bracing themselves for two feet of snow.
For many, there’s an escape plan to enjoy warm sunny days, and you won’t even need your passport. Here are seven casino resorts in the US to escape the harsh winter.
1 – The Wynn Las Vegas, NV
For gamblers that want to exchange the snow for sand, Las Vegas is the easy choice. The desert air can be chilly, but with an average high of almost 60 degrees in January, you’ll be fine with a light jacket.
Furthermore, you’re almost guaranteed not to see a single snowflake during your stay.
There’s no shortage of fantastic places to stay in Las Vegas. However, the Wynn stands out as a real casino gambling gem.
Casino gamblers from around the world have given Wynn more five-star reviews than any other casino in the United States.
The vast casino floor measures over 110,000 square feet and features over 165 table games; if there’s a card or dice game worth playing, you’ll find it at the Wynn Las Vegas.
Having such a wide variety of tables means that you’ll always be able to find a seat for your favorite game. Slot machine enthusiasts aren’t left out, and the Wynn offers over 1,000 of the latest and most popular games.
There’s no shortage of fun outdoor activities in Las Vegas either. You can enjoy anything from a sunny round of golf to a romantic hot air balloon ride.
Sunny Las Vegas is clearly a fantastic choice for gamblers that want to escape the harsh winter.
2 – WinStar World Casino Thackerville, OK
Thackerville, OK, isn’t on many people’s vacation bucket list. Still, WinStar World Casino is the perfect choice for a casino getaway.
For starters, WinStar is the largest casino on the planet. That’s right, the 454,000 square feet of casino floor makes WinStar the world’s largest.
Secondly, the geographic location of WinStar puts you only 60 miles north of Dallas, TX. The region has very mild winters, and it’s not uncommon to see temperatures in the 60s and 70s throughout the winter.
In fact, I regularly play golf in shorts, December through March, only 30 miles south of WinStar. This is convenient if you enjoy the game; WinStar has a beautiful 18-hole championship-caliber course.
When you gamble at the largest casino in the world, you expect a ton of gaming choices. WinStar delivers in spades.
WinStar has over 8,500 slot machines and video poker games. So, there’s no waiting around for your favorite device.
Over 100 table games also welcome players, and many tables are dedicated to blackjack with low minimums.
The warm climate and tremendous amount of outdoor activities make WinStar a fantastic choice for the winter getaway. Be warned that during the summer months, the daily highs can often reach triple digits.
3 – Beau Rivage Resort and Casino Biloxi, MS
The gulf coast state of Mississippi averages a hearty zero inches of snow every year. Biloxi, which sits near the coast, hardly ever sees snow.
You can visit the Beau Rivage Resort and experience great weather 365 days a year. Throughout the winter months, the warm gulf air lands Beau Rivage on the list of best winter escapes for casino gamblers.
Fortunately, the Beau Rivage has much more to offer than a mild climate. The casino is not only one of the finest in the area, Beau Rivage is a top casino in the US.
Part of the MGM family of resorts, Beau Rivage, has over 1,800 of the world’s hottest slot machines. Gamblers delight in the variety and friendly return to player on the low denomination and high roller slots.
Table games also abound at Beau Rivage. Players will enjoy all of the classic games alongside their new favorites.
The sportsbook and bar Bet at the Beau Rivage are world-class. It offers over 100 video gaming centers that feature video poker and blackjack games. Of course, you can always place wagers on your favorite teams as well.
Beau Rivage is a beautiful spot to leave the snow and ice behind and break the beach attire.
4 – Harrah’s New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is a winter destination for thousands. The daily high rarely dips below 65 degrees, and every February, New Orleans turns into one of the largest parties in the world.
Mardi Gras is a fantastic scene that I would encourage anyone to experience at least once.
Regardless of whether you’re into the party vibes encouraged by Mardi Gras, New Orleans has some excellent casino gaming that often gets overshadowed by the city itself.
Harrah’s New Orleans caters to all gamblers. Slots players will find over 1,500 of the one-arm bandits with progressive jackpots starting on the penny slots and going all the way up to the top denominations.
There are also over 110 table games for you to enjoy baccarat, blackjack, and several other popular casino games.
Harrah’s is a shining star in the city that offers an endless array of fun outdoor activities. You can enjoy the city’s rich history by day and gamble till you drop at night.
5 – Horseshoe Bossier City, LA
Along the banks of the Red River in western Louisiana sits Horseshoe Bossier City. The Shreveport-Bossier City area of Louisiana is a hub for casino gambling in the region.
Not only do many Louisiana gamblers make their way to Horseshoe Bossier City, but gamblers from Arkansas and Texas also make the trip regularly.
Before the advent of casinos in Oklahoma, Louisiana was the leading gambling destination for Texas casino gamblers.
This casino places emphasis on electronic gaming machines and has over 1,500. Players crowd the devices from the lowest denomination to the highest.
On weekends, you may expect to walk around before finding your favorite game come available.
Horseshoe Bossier City offers about 70 table games. The standard variety is available, and the tables are usually not so full that you can’t find a spot.
The area has a number of casinos, and they are all within a short drive from each other. So, even if Horseshoe is overly crowded, there are plenty of options.
From golf to outstanding fishing, Louisiana has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast that’s trying to escape the ice fishing escapades of the north.
6 – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, FL
Many of you probably won’t have any trouble imagining the appeal of Florida during the winter. Blue skies, white-sand beaches, and warm weather can be quite the draw when you’ve got subfreezing temperatures and snow-packed on your car.
Tampa is the perfect place to forget all about the depressing grey landscape. First, flights to Tampa are relatively inexpensive.
The massive theme parks that draw so many families are far enough west that most skip Tampa’s flight.
Next, there are the beaches as mentioned earlier. You can gamble in the casino, go deep-sea fishing, hit the horse races, and play a round of golf all in the same day. Of course, you’ll have to hurry.
Seminole Hard Rock is the number one casino in Florida. Still, it’s also rated in the top 25 in the US. Gamblers will have ample choices of slots or table games to pick from, and the resort itself is beautiful.
7 – Divi Carina Bay St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
If it’s an adventure you seek, then Divi Carina Bay is the destination for you. This immaculate casino resort is located in St. Croix.
That’s correct; you’re going to the Virgin Islands. This fabulous resort casino has it all. While it’s not in the contiguous US, it does exist as a US territory.
So, you can leave your passport at home if you wish. You’ll have to leave the kids at home.
Divi Carina Bay is an adult-only resort. So, it’s great for parents that need to get away from the kids for a few days, empty-nesters, and adults without kids.
Being an adult-only resort allows the property to focus on providing fun and exciting ways to keep the adults entertained.
The casino is a star attraction for most. Gamblers are welcome to gamble well into the night at Divi Carina Bay.
For a seemingly neverending trail of exciting outdoor activities, few resorts can beat Carina Bay. If you prefer to be pampered in luxury, the posh spa will spoil you to no end.
St. Croix is tough to beat any time of year, but you’ll feel like you’re on another planet if you’re escaping the cold grip of winter’s fury.
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend the entire winter bundled up in your parka or hitting the slopes to enjoy winter. Get out of the arctic air and enjoy the great outdoors in shorts and a t-shirt during the winter at one of these top tier casino resorts.
These seven casino resorts in the US to escape the harsh winter won’t break the bank. In fact, you can pack up the car and drive to most of them in a day or two from almost anywhere in the country.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …