As a rare native of Las Vegas, Nevada, I try my hardest to get away from the annoying tourist that visit my hometown on a daily basis. There is no down time or off season here. There is busy and not as busy. Surprisingly, there are the few tourists that feel the same way. Not everyone wants the loud atmosphere, crowded bars and twenty-five dollar max bet video poker machines. Some go for simple fun. I know it sounds odd but it is more than true.
Through a lot of trial and error I have weeded out the casinos that claim to be for “locals”, and found the true diamonds in the rough. These casinos don't have you leaving with a hangover headache when you didn't even have one Zima. Like it or not they aren't just for the old anymore, they are also for those burned out with the constant madness of this big city of sin.
Last on my list, coming in at number three is Terrible's Hotel and Casino . Located in the center of Las Vegas at 4100 Paradise Road. With it's lack of kid related activities and almost laughable casino space, this casino seems perfect for the local gambler. WRONG! It is in the center of a restaurant district that includes such popular hotspots as Chinese restaurant P.F. Changs and Italian eatery Buca Di Beppo. It has plenty of players club contests that seemed geared for the high roller or the retired ten plus hour a day gambler to win. That also makes it hard to find a place to gamble on a drawing night in such a small casino area. If you're looking to bet on sports, good luck with that. Their lines come out shortly before the start of the games if you can be so lucky. This casino is for the frugal tourist that doesn't mind being in cramped spaces.
The good thing about this casino is that they don't have the tendency to blare the music, you can find a cocktail waitress (occasionally, usually depends if you throw them a dollar or two followed by some banter) and you can convert your players club points into cash or use them to pay for your buffet, dinner at their one restaurant or pay for the things you don't need at their gift shop. On the local scale I give this a 2.5 out of 5 chips.
Next up, at number two Boulder Station Hotel and Casino . On the east side of the city it has local written all over it. It has the prime location sitting at 4111 Boulder Hwy. It was surprisingly hard to find something negative to say about the joint but of course I came through. Who would have though there would be a such thing as too many restaurants? Well they figured out a way. Their food court is more like a food avenue. All jammed together making you stand in awe and confusion. One person wants Italian while they other is eying Burger King. A fight ensues and you end up at The Feast. The Feast is their massive buffet that is very good, always hot but it has one major flaw. The price. Boulder Station has the atmosphere for the local but the price point of the tourist.
Enough of the negatives, here goes the positives. You can spend a whole day at there and go home not just happy ecstatic. From their dining to the movie theatre, a good time can be had by everyone if all ages. Not too many tourists walking slowly taking in the sights creating a traffic jam, drunks making everyone put down their rum and coke and grab a bottled water or cocktail waitresses acting as if you just ruined their day by asking for a drink. Boulder Station is one of the original casinos for locals and hopefully it stays that way. 3 out of 5 chips.
Last but certainly not least, Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall located at 5111 Boulder Hwy. It has it all. From a movie theatre to a brand new massive sports book, this casino knows how to give love to its locals. At their Sam's Town Live venue they show free WWE pay per view in which you would otherwise have to shell out some cash to order at home. Their Firelight Buffet is one of the best in town and their food court has everyone's favorites. At various times of the day they have laser shows that make you stop, “smell the roses” and be entertained by something so simple.
They have a happy combination of things for locals and tourists that works. It's never too crowded because of their vast selection of slots and video poker machines. Just one downfall. If you are there late at night and sitting near Roxy's, you just might hear the drunk karaoke going on. Very funny if you are in a great mood, very annoying if you are in mood anything less. Hard to give this place anything less than 4.5 out 5 chips. Hey, no place is perfect.
Vegas wouldn't be Vegas without some honorable mentions, so here we go. Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino, South Point Hotel and Casino, Silverton Hotel and Casino and all other Station Casino properties failed to make the list but still are awesome in their own way.
