Casino Reviews

There are only a couple of casino hotels in the Palm Springs area of California. There is the Fantasy Springs Casino and the Agua Caliente casino hotel. Neither of these hotels is actually in Palm Springs since they are located in cities nearby in the valley. The only casino hotel in Palm Springs California is the Spa casino hotel. It is located in downtown Palm Springs on Amado Road. This is two blocks from Palm Canyon Drive which is the main road through Palm Springs. It is in the middle of downtown Palm Springs surrounded by many restaurants of all types. All are within walking distance of the casino. There is also lots of parking for patrons available as well.

Spa Casino Hotels Palm Springs California

The Spa Casino Hotel in Palm Springs California has been reviewed on this website and we have visited it several times in the past 10 years. It has evolved from being in a tent attached to the hotel to a full-fledged casino in an elegant building with very pretty gardens and palm trees surrounding it.

The Spa Casino has a deli restaurant, a buffet, and several other restaurants that are higher-end. There are many restaurants within blocks of the casino and it is very safe to walk the streets in the area of the casino as well. With a combination of restaurants and condos surrounding this casino, it is a safe environment to park your car or walk from your condo to the Spa Casino.

In terms of gaming, there are all of the latest and popular slot machines along with a variety of table games as well. They have a small nonsmoking area, which is usually quiet since they did not put the best games in this area. the casino can get pretty smoky so if this bothers you, you may want to stay clear of it on business evenings or on the weekends.

They also have events at the casino. Slot tournaments, draws etc so if you do play a lot make sure you get a slot card and use it. You will be invited to various events that they host for their slot players and table players.

Palm Springs Convention Center

The Palm Springs Convention Center is also within one block of the Spa Casino Hotel in Palm Springs California. this convention center is a state-of-the-art center hosting many events over the year. Patrons and convention goers often go to the Spa Casino Hotel which is within walking distance. It is just one block away. There is ample parking for both the convention center and the casino. Of course, you can also use valet parking at the casino.

Restaurants in the Area

If you walk up to Palm Canyon Drive and turn left in the direction of the traffic (it is a one-way street), you will pass by all of the restaurants. There are quite a few, most with outdoor patios where you can enjoy a meal any time of the day. We are reviewing a number of these restaurants on another website that we operate.  If you are interested, click here, and select the category Palm Springs Restaurants. There are over 1000 restaurants in the area and of course, we will not review all of these, but the ones we have are the restaurants we have visited in the area and also enjoy.

That’s about it for this post on casino hotels in the Palms Springs area of California. If you have been there and would like to leave a comment, please do. We like to hear from other writers who can contribute and help out our readers.

Dinner at the Spa Casino Palm Springs was not up to par as far as we are concerned. We recently had dinner at the buffet at the  Spa Casino in Palm Springs. We wanted to pass our thoughts on this buffet to our readers. For the original review of the casino in Palm Springs, click here.

The buffet on Saturday night is billed as a seafood buffet, costing $23.99 plus tax. Now if you have a slot card, they will reduce the cost of the buffet by 10%. As a result, two people save you almost $5.00. We were very disappointed with the buffet, especially the seafood part of it. There were several reasons for this disappointment. We will list them a bit later in this post. We had heard good things about the buffet at the Spa Casino. However, what people think of various restaurants is a matter of personal taste. I can tell you that we have tried many buffets at various casinos. Consequently, this one rates as one of the worst for us.

Spa Casino Buffet Palm Springs

Here is our list of reasons; you make your assessment or opinion on these items:

• No service for drinks; you pick up your own
• Limited seafood – crab legs, salmon, calamari, and shrimp
• Crab legs were very small, and the legs were filled with water and smelled very fishy
• Calamari was breaded and overcooked, so it wasn’t easy to chew
• Shrimp were very small
• Salmon was ok
• There was a large selection of standard items
• These food items were ok
• Desserts were very small

The bottom line was that we paid extra for a seafood buffet. Hence we were very disappointed in the items that were provided.

Now we should have caught on early before we paid. The time we entered the buffet was around 6 pm. Which was the typical time that many people would go for dinner. First of all, there was no line up to get in and no line up any time to get into the buffet. It was very slow, which for us was nice because there were not many people around. However, it means that people are voting with their feet and going elsewhere.

Not only was the food less than great, but the price was also high. There are many restaurants in Palm Springs, many with happy hour menus. Consequently, for $50, you can enjoy a lovely meal. As a result, we think the combination of high prices and poor food quality drives potential customers away in droves.

We would like to hear comments from readers about your experience at the Spa Casino in Palm Springs and what you think of the Spa Casino buffet.

Canadians wining a jackpot in Canada do not have to pay tax on those winnings. However Slot Machine Jackpot Winnings over $1200 in the US, taxes are due and usually collected on the spot by the casino officials. The casino will prepare the appropriate tax slip for you to use in filing your income taxes. If you happen to be a Canadian, they will prepare a 1042-S foreign persons US source income subject to with holding form and deduct 30% of your winnings right on the spot! This comes as a surprise to many people and they are left wondering how or if they will get their money back. If you won a jackpot last year it is time to file your income tax claim and get some or maybe all of that money back that you won in the casino.

Our last post discussed Casino Slot Machine Win Loss Statements, why you need them and how to get them. Once you have them you can begin to get all of the tax forms and think about filing your tax forms. This particular post is focused on what Canadians need to do if you win a jackpot larger than $1200!

Slot Machine Jackpot Winnings – A bit Daunting at First

The list we have assembled below may seem a bit daunting at first, however if you follow the steps outlined below and you read all of the documentation, you should not have any problems. Remember that this approach is for non-residents, Canadians in particular. It is also a simplified approach and for gambling winnings only. If you have other sources of income then you may need a professional to assist you in completing the tax forms.

Step by Step Approach to Filing Income Tax Forms for Slot Machine Jackpot Winnings

Here is a short step by step approach, which we will expand on later in the post:

• Request win / loss statements from all casinos for the tax year in question
• Assemble all 1042-s Forms
• Download W-7 form and instructions from IRS website
• Read instructions for W-7
• Decide if you need to apply for an IRS ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
• If so assemble approved identification papers and fill out form
• Download 1040NR US Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return & instructions
• Read instructions for 1040 NR
• Complete 1040NR and attached 1042-S documents and win / loss documents
• Make a copy of everything for your records
• Send the following into the IRS
  • Completed W-7
  • Identification documentation
  • Completed 1040NR
  • Copies of Win / Loss statements
  • All 1042-S forms

Once  you have done all of this you are ready to send your tax claim into the IRS and it will probably take a month or two before you hear back from them , hopefully with your tax rebate.

Documentation Certifying Your Identity

In our case we needed to have a passport copy made and certified that it was a true copy. The only people who can do this as far as the US government is concerned is the Canadian passport office. Turns out that the passport office does this for free and if you drop your request off and pick it up they can complete the request within 3 or 4 business days. Make sure you take your completed W-7 in with you to show that why you need the copy of your passport certified.

Of course you can mail it in as well, however it will take longer to process and return to you. When you send in the request, you will also need a simple letter stating the following:

• Date
• Subject
• To Whom it may concern
• Statement as to what you need and why
• Printed name and address
• Signature

That is what we have learned so far about Filing Income Tax Forms for Slot Machine Jackpot Winnings. We are currently waiting for a response and will add a new post when we get our money back. If you decide to go to a professional be prepared to hand over a significant chunk of your tax money that is returned. They do not work for free or cheaply.

We would like to hear from other folks that have gone through this process and anything they have learned about getting their money back. Well written comments that are helpful to our readers with links will be approved. We are looking for comments that are helpful and not just links to another site.

Visiting the Fremont Street Experience is one of the must things to do in Las Vegas. It is free, and the best time to visit is in the evening to experience the light show and the entertainment. If you are staying somewhere on the strip in one of the strip hotels, take a taxi, or the bus or drive down to downtown Las Vegas and see the Fremont Street Experience. The best time to go is early evening, just before it gets dark. Park at the Golden Nugget Hotel parking lot. Get your parking stub stamped at the cashier’s cage in the Golden Nugget. Then head out to the street.

The picture above is showing one of the shows that is done in lights on the ceiling. Of course, you can play a little in the casino or have dinner there or in any of the other hotels. But the main reason we are suggesting you want to make the trip down is to visit Fremont Street and take in all of the action.

What is the Fremont Street Experience?

The entire street, which is the original downtown Las Vegas mecca is covered over by about six city blocks. On the ceiling every 30 minutes at night, they put on a sound and light show for all of the tourists. The lights from the casinos shown in the picture on the left are turned off, and the show begins with a fabulous light and music show that really will enthrall just about anyone. There are no street lights on this section of Fremont Street since the casinos generate more light than any street light ever would. The street is closed to auto traffic, and there are literally thousands of people strolling along and watching the show on the ceiling.

This picture shows what the street looks like during the daytime. Nothing special, but you can see the supporting columns that hold the ceiling up and support the prominent speakers that deliver fabulous sound. When the light show is not on, many other activities are also taking place. It changes all of the time, so if you do not see what we saw, I am sure you will see other things as well that are equally interesting.

Entertainment

For example, there were two dance bands at either end of the street. These bands, the singers, and the dancers were excellent and worth spending some time listening to. You can also zip lining along the street for several blocks as well. They have this set up above the street level, and four people can go simultaneously. Usually, groups have races to see who can get to the other end the quickest.

Many people will pose for a picture. There are cartoon characters as well as characters from various TV shows. Of course, there is always an Elvis or two. You can take your picture with one of these characters. Note that they will always have their hand out for a tip. This is how they make their living. Although they initially make it look like something they do for fun, they have their hands out for a tip. There was even a mini Elvis, as shown in the picture on the left. And, of course, he wanted his tip afterward.

If you have been to the Fremont Street Experience, write a comment or two about your experience. It is well worth spending the time to go there. Make sure you hold tight to your wallet or purse while watching the show.

We really enjoyed Wynn Hotel Promotions in Las Vegas. Well, we just spent another fabulous two days at the Wynn Casino Hotel in Las Vegas! We had a Wynn hotel promotion, and we use these every chance we get. This hotel, in our opinion, is the best hotel in the area, and we always try to stay here when we come to Las Vegas. When you are the best, you can also charge higher rates. The only way we can stay at the Wynn is by being there on a Wynn Hotel Promotions coupon, which we have received quite often lately.

Other hotels are charging less than one hundred dollars for the room. At the same time, the Wynn Hotel can charge over $200 per room per night. This is a basic room which is very elegant and well appointed. Our room faced onto the strip. We had a fantastic view of the strip, the mall, the western side of Vegas, and, of course, the mountains. At night, with all of the lights, we had a really fantastic view!

Wynn Hotel Promotions – Play Were You Want to Stay

Our motto has always been, play where you want to stay, and we always want to stay at the Wynn Hotel or its sister hotel, the Encore. We have full descriptions of each of these hotels on our website, but we just had to write this additional post because we just got back from staying at this fabulous hotel. The picture above was taken from across the street in front of the Fashion Show Mall, which is another place to visit while you are in Vegas.

Wynn Hotel Promotions are really valuable when you think about it. Not only are we staying in a room that they usually sell for $150 plus, but it is an extremely nice room, and they also gave us $150 in free play. I know some people get a lot more, but for us and the level of gambling we do, this is fabulous.

Visit the Wynn Casino – Get a slot Card.

If you are in Las Vegas and staying at some other hotel, at least walk through the casino, and I am sure you will be blown away. From the mountain out front with the waterfalls to the opulent shops on the promenade to the treeline walkway to the check-in and the bright red casino, there is something for everyone. They even have an eighteen-hole golf course at the back of the hotel, should you wish to play. We have not checked out the prices for a round of golf however I am sure they are expensive.

While you are there, sign up for a slot card and play for at least a little while. Depending on your amount of play, they may send you an invitation to stay at the hotel for reduced rates! For more information on Slot cards, check out our categories for more posts on this subject.

Always Tip the Waitress

You have to hand it to Steve Wynn. When you receive a Wynn Hotel Promotion inviting you to stay at their hotel and even give you free play, he knows you will spend money in his casino, in his restaurants, and maybe a show. You can do all of that easily and really enjoy yourself. Drinks while playing in the casino are free, and it would be easy to just take the drink and go on playing. We see lots of people doing just that. We believe that you should always tip the waitress. They have to make a living, too, and besides, once they know they are getting tips, you will have fantastic service.

We always tip a dollar, and although that is not a lot, we receive the best service and never lack a drink. Whether it is alcoholic, juice, coffee, or even hot chocolate, they can deliver almost whatever you offer. Just make sure you tip them each time.

Well, that sums up our trip to the Wynn Hotel this year on a Wynn Hotel Promotion card. We are looking forward to going again soon. If you like the Wynn as much as we do, let us know. Leave your comments, too.