Casino Reviews

The AVI casino and hotel is a rather nice place to visit as well as stay at. Although it is a bit far from the other Laughlin Casinos, it is definitely worth the 30 minute trip. The casino is lively , the restaurants offer good value at the right prices and there is always some form of entertainment at the AVI.

Patrons who book a room at the hotel will find then very reasonable both on the weekend and during the week. You can also enjoy the pool area, which is fabulous or actually swim or boat in the Colorado river. There is actually a nice sandy beach to take advantage of. Take in a movie at the movie theater or some of the live entertainment that is booked there on a regular basis.

RV Owners

RV owners can find lots of room to park their RV’s while enjoying the Casino , the restaurants or just taking in a movie in the middle of the desert along the Colorado River. We had dinner at the buffet one night and found the food and the service to be excellent. We also had the 99 cent breakfast which is available to all slot card members and found that to be excellent as well. The restaurant also offers free coffee to any veteran that comes into the restaurant for breakfast, which we thought was a nice patriotic thing to do.

AVI Casino & Resort Hotel – Slot Machines

There are over 1,100 slot machines of all types in the Avi Casino, with more than 530 penny and 2¢ slots, including over 80 penny GameKing multigame machines, plus we have all of your favorites in reel slots such as Double Diamonds, Red White & Blue, Five Time Pay and Blazing 7’s.

Video Poker is one of the most popular forms of machines, with all the most entertaining versions of poker available; Bonus Poker, Double Double, Triple Double, No Aces Pay the Faces, White Hot Aces, and hundred play machines that let you play one hundred hands at once.

Table Games

There are 27 table games at the Avi Casino,  including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, Hold’Em Fold’Em and Pai Gow. Avi has some of the most liberal table odds offered in Laughlin, triple odds on craps and double down on first two original cards in Blackjack.

Restaurants

Feathers cafe, Moonshadow Grille, Restoriante  Avianos, Native harvest buffet, a fast food area and several bars including the poolside bar.

What We Liked

Variety of slot machines

Free drinks while gambling

Buffet

$.99 breakfast with your AVI slot card

Pool area and spa free to hotel guests on the Colorado River

Take your pick, swim in the cool waters of the Colorado or lounge by the adult pool or spend time with the kids at the pool dedicated to the children

Fabulous pool as well as swimming and boating on the Colorado River

Multiple pools with palm trees and lots of lounge chairs to relax on.

Drinks and food can be obtained at the poolside bar

Hotel rates are very reasonable

Covered garage parking and surface parking

Easy access from all highways

Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

Movie theater showing current movies

Fast food area for a quick meal

Huge RV parking area

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the AVI Resort hotel & casino.

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

As usual with Nevada casinos, the quality of the air can be pretty bad at times due to the heavy number of smokers that seem to enjoy this casino as well as other Nevada casinos.

AVI Casino – Slot Player Card

They are part of the AVI Resort  casino slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits offered by the AVI Resort hotel & casino.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the AVI Resort hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel. There is also surface parking that we observed for cars and there is also a large RV parking area as well with full hookups. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

AVI Casino – Directions:

Kingman :

Take Hwy 68 South 35 miles to Hwy 95 South, BullHead City. Continue South approximately 11 miles to Aztec Rd. and turn right. Continue on Aztec Rd. 2.5 miles to the Avi.

Laughlin & Las Vegas:

Take Needles Hwy South 11 miles to Aha Macav Pkwy. Look for the AVI sign. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the AVI.

Needles :

Take I-40 to River Road Cutoff , which becomes Needles Hwy, North 14 miles to Aha Macav Pkwy. Look for the AVI sign. Turn right and continue 2 miles to the AVI.

Many people use casino slot cards all of the time, while others are afraid of them and have misinformed ideas about these cards.  For starters it is a good idea to understand exactly what they are so that there is no misconception.

The cards that casinos encourage their customers to use are plastic cards similar to a credit card that you place in a slot machine while you are playing  the slots or playing the tables. The casinos use this card to identify you while you are gambling and keep track of how much you gamble, how long you gamble and what kinds of games you like to play. They are not a credit card!

What do they do with all of this information, you ask?

Like any good marketing company they use this info, plus the personal info you give them when you sign up in a number of ways , basically to increase customer loyalty, to ensure they have the right games for their customers and to reward their customers for the time they spend in their casinos. This is a very competitive tool with some casinos using this feature more than others. Many casinos in a competitive market will provide better rewards to their customers based on their play than those in non-competitive markets. Las Vegas and Atlantic city casinos probably have the best rewards comp’s , while a small casino at a racetrack without another one for miles around will not provide very much in the way of comp’s.

The Canadian casinos are notoriously poor at providing good comp’s for their patrons. The Canadian provincial governments have a strangle hold on casinos, will not allow any more to be built and will not allow any competition to their government sponsored casinos.

How Do Casino Slot Cards Work?

Signing up for a slot card is easy and it is free. All you need to do is go to your casinos reward desk, fill in an application, provide photo id and the casinos will provide you with a personalized slot card.  Some will even reward you for signing up with a free gift , free slot play or a free diner buffet.

Before you begin to gamble , place your slot card in the slot machine card reader. The system will search for your name and when it finds your name will provide you with a welcoming message.

Next just start playing the slot machine as you normally would. The casino will now record how much you are betting, how frequently you bet and how long you play at that machine. Move to another machine and repeat the same procedure.

After awhile the casino will build up a profile on you about the type of machine you like to play, how often and how much, etc. They will design a customized rewards plan for you to attract you to their casino.  You will receive these rewards in the mail or by email depending on what choice you made when you signed up.

What Kinds of Comp’s Can I Expect?

The answer to this question really depends on how much you play however in general you should expect the following from time to time.

• Free meals
• Free play
• Point play
• Meal and merchandise discounts
• Complimentary rooms
• Free airport pickup ( High Rollers)
• Complementary airline tickets ( High Rollers )
• Free gifts
• Invitations to slot tournaments or table games tournaments
• Free tax report( more on this later)

Frequent players can expect more while less frequent , or low denomination players will take longer to build up their comp’s.

How do I Actually Collect the Comp’s

Every casino is a bit different and the best approach is to ask the rewards desk how and when you should expect to receive comp’s. Having said that there are two very important things to know about getting your comp’s and taking full advantage of your casino players card.

First, if you played sufficiently, the casinos want you back and they will send you various promotions in the mail or by email if you gave them your email address. Sometimes you need to check your junk mail file if you have this feature set up on your email system since new senders usually end up in the junk mail file. These promotions will consist of offers for discounted rooms or free rooms, free meals, free play and either discounts or free tickets to various shows. There will be a telephone number to call to book your next stay and all you need to do is give them your slot card number and your promotion number off the mailing that you received.

Ask for Comp’s

The second way to receive comp’s is to ask for them. Generally what we do is we will book our hotel stay through the casino host ( the number can be found on the back of the slot card or players card) and they will give you a room reservation at a rate that is consistent with your players status. Sometimes they will be at casino rates while other times you will receive a number of rooms nights free.

While you are at the hotel and playing at the casino with your slot card inserted in the slot machine, charge all of your meals etc to your room. Before you check out, go and see the players rewards desk, tell them you are checking out and give them your slot card. They will review your play and decide on the spot if they will comp you for anything. On good stays I have had my rooms and meals all comp’d. This is like winning a jackpot! Don’t try to negotiate, since they have their rules and formulas to follow, just be thankful for having a slot card. After you have been comp’d just check out as you normally would!

Casino Slot Cards – Free Tax Report

One other advantage of  of slot cards is that the casinos can provide you with a tax report. This report summarizes your losses. This is important and perhaps a bit scary at the same time. If you should win a jackpot over $1200, you are supposed to declare this as income and pay the appropriate tax. Some casinos will deduct the tax immediately and provide you with the appropriate IRS form to use in filing your taxes. Your tax loss statement from the casino can be used to reduce the amount of tax you pay on your slot machine jackpot!

Note: In Canada, casino and lottery winnings are not considered taxable!

If you found this helpful, please leave your comments,

The Hollywood Casino and hotel is located close to Sams Town and Fitzgeralds casinos. However you will need a car to travel from one hotel to another. Or you can also wait for one of the shuttle buses to take you to the next hotel. In addition the Hollywood hotel is also located several miles from the other cluster of casinos near Tunica.

The Hollywood casino offers a 14,000-square-foot ballroom just off the main casino. Consequently it seats up to 1,200 guests. In addition it includes a catering service. Hollywood Casino offers a variety of meeting packages. Luxury accommodations and action-packed entertainment are provided In addition these packages offer special bonuses that are perfect for social organizations, corporations and charitable groups of 20 or more.

Hollywood Casino – RV Park

The property also offers an RV park for travelers looking for a spot to park their rigs and relax.  There are also nearby golf courses near by. You can make arrangements for golf by contacting the hotel. The hotel offers priority tee times at their River Bend Links golf course, just steps away from the casino.

The casino definitely has a Hollywood theme with movie memorabilia which is one of the largest authentic collections in the Mid-South. From the DeLorean car that traveled through time in Back to the Future to Elvis Presley’s race car from Spinout, the collection of authentic movie and television props is enough to thrill any Hollywood fan. Explore the  extensive collection of authentic costumes and props.

Slot Machines

There are over 1,300 slot machines for your gaming fun, whether you play pennies, nickels, quarters or dollars, Hollywood Casino Tunica has your favorite games with over . Mr. Cashman, Hot Hot Penny, and Progressive 25¢ and $1 Wheel of Fortune slots are just some of the games you can choose from.

Table Games

There are over 30 gaming tables offering Blackjack, 20X Odds Craps, Roulette, Poker and many more. New table games just added… Crapless Craps and Let It Ride Bonus!

Hollywood Casino Restaurants

Fairbanks Steakhouse – you’ll enjoy award-winning cuisine served with style and attention to detail fit for a star. Voted “Best Steakhouse” in Tunica by Casino Player magazine, Fairbanks fulfills dining expectations for those who simply want the best.

Epic Buffet – Designed to look like a movie studio backlot, this generous buffet features something to satisfy your every craving. International, continental and local fare are on the menu at this 220-seat eatery. Enjoy Filet Mignon and Crab Legs Friday and Saturday nights for only $19.99 plus enjoy Filet Mignon and Crab Legs all day on Sundays for only $19.99.

Enjoy a Buffet breakfast on Saturdays for only .77 Star Comp Dollars! Plus If you’re 55 years or older, join The Breakfast Club and enjoy a .55 Epic breakfast offer on Thursdays for only .55 Star Comp Dollars!

Hollywood Diner – is a ’50s flashback offering breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day. From waitresses in poodle skirts to bebop oldies playing on the jukebox, Hollywood Diner offers a taste of classic Americana along with delicious food. Star-themed booths with movie greats like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean await you.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the
• Buffet was very clean, with lots of choice at lunch time. Good Prices
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Hollywood casino

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs. The level of smoke odor was not too bad at this hotel, however we were there on a slow day.

Hollywood Casino Slot Player Card

They are part of the Hollywood Screen Test® or Marquee® Card and patrons should always use this card when playing to earn complimentary meals and hotel accommodations and more! Slot members can take advantage of benefits at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Hollywood casino & hotel in a  surface parking lot in front of the hotel.

Directions: Hollywood Casino is an easy drive, just 35 miles south of Memphis, in the heart of Tunica’s Casino Strip.  The address is Hollywood Casino Tunica, 1150 Casino Strip Resort Blvd, Robinsonville, MS 38664

Fitzgeralds Casino & Hotel

This is another one of the casinos that is located in the Tunica area. You will need a car to get to this casino from any of the other casinos or take one of the shuttle buses that run. The hotels are spread out and do not facilitate walking from one to another. The picture on the left was taken on a cloudy day in the winter. Normally the hotel and casino look much brighter and the grass would be green, making it a much more picturesque looking place. Fitzgeralds Casino is shown on the picture on the left.

We have not visited this particular casino, so all of our comments are based on an internet search about the property. If anyone who has stayed there and has comments, please feel free to leave comments on our blog.

Fitzgeralds Casino – Unique Decor

The Fitxgerald casino has a unique outdoor decor as can be seen in the photo above.  With over 500 renovated rooms with views of the Mississippi river this is one of the hotels you should consider for a visit while gambling in Tunica. Although we have not personally seen these rooms they look great and will more than meet any ones expectations and requirements. Newly renovated rooms are always great and when you check in ask for a non smoking room. Of course if you smoke in the room you could be subject to a hefty bill to clean the room properly.

The pool at this hotel is also very nice and can be used by patrons staying at the hotel. With lots of light it looks like a great place to relax and enjoy while taking a break from the casino slot machines or the tables. Overall this casino has everything that one needs while taking a short vacation in Tunica.

In terms of entertainment, there is the Stage Bar which is open Tuesday through Sunday and dark on Mondays. The hours vary and of course the entertainment also.

There are 3 restaurants – Don’s B Steakhouse, the Buffet, and the Players Snack Bar.

Fitzgeralds Casino – Slot Machines

There are over 1300 slot machines at this casino in all denominations from penny to $100. The newly redesigned High Limit Area offers $5, $10, $25 and $100 slots…along with many stand alone progressives.

Fitz offers penny, nickel, quarter, fifty-cent and dollar slots throughout the casino extending across two floors. Look for the new Deal or No Deal, Monopoly, Gilligan’s Island and more of the latest hot-playing machines.

Video Poker machines in 5 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, $1 and $5 denominations can be found at both the Stage Bar and Poker Bar…and throughout the casino.

Be sure to use the Club Fitz card whenever playing slots at Fitz. By using your card you earn points towards downloadable promo cash, complimentary meals, complimentary rooms, and discounts.

Table Games

There are

Restaurants

There are 3 restaurants –

Don’s B Steakhouse – Enjoy casual dining in an elegant atmosphere. Menu choices include steak, seafood and specialties prepared daily for you. Reservations are recommended.

the Buffet – Breakfast & Brunch;Monday-Saturday: 7am – 11am – $6.95;Sunday: 7am – 10am – $6.95;Sunday Brunch: 10am – 3pm – $13.95

Lunch – Monday-Saturday: 11am – 4pm – $8.95; Sunday: 3pm – 4pm – $8.95

Dinner – Sunday-Thursday: 4pm – 10:30pm – $14.95; Friday Seafood Buffet: 4pm – 2am – $18.95; Saturday Steak & Crab Buffet: 4pm – 2am – $16.95

the Players Snack Bar.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines with over 1350 machines in total
• Free drinks while gambling
• Pool area and spa for hotel guests
• Hotel rates are very reasonable with some specials at $35/ night including breakfast
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about Fitzgeralds hotel & casino

It is a 3 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs. Similar to most hotels and casinos, patrons are allowed to smoke in the casino and this can become over powering at times.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Fitz Club slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits such as cash back, dining comp’s as well as room comp’s and much more.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at Fitxgeralds hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel as well as  surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions: The address of the Fitzgerald Casino is 711 Lucky Ln, Robinsonville, MS 38664-9141. Patrons can get to this hotel and casino easily from Memphis and other points north by following Route 55 south to route 69 and then just follow the signs to the casino.

The Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel was formally called the Sheraton Casino & Hotel. The casino was redesigned and redecorated in the last quarter of 2009 into a roadhouse format. This is a huge improvement over the previous casino which was in great need of cleaning and updating.  The roadhouse concept is reminiscent of a Texas roadhouse with lots of barn board and decorations that are reminiscent of many roadhouses across the United States.

The Tunica Roadhouse Casino and Hotel is right next door to the Horseshoe casino  and shares the parking lot and garage with the Horseshoe Hotel and casino. The Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel is also part of the Harrah’s chain of casinos which means your Total Rewards card is accepted in all of their slot machines and your comp’s can be used at this hotel as well. We have stayed at this hotel before when it was still called the Sheraton hotel and casino and found the rooms to be large and quite acceptable. At the time we did not like the casino, however with the recent update, the casino is well worth the visit.

Roadhouse Casino and Hotel – Slot Machines

At the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, they are working at having the newest and hottest slots in town! From pennies to high dollar machines, there’s something for every slot enthusiast. They have more than 1,000 slots, in every denomination!

Table Games

There are the usual table games for customers to enjoy, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker. AS we mentioned the entire casino has been recently redesigned and decorated into a roadhouse theme. The carpets are new and the casino actually smells new. All of the tables have a roadhouse look to them that matches with the décor throughout the casino and the hotel reception area.

Restaurants

The Roadhouse Casino and Hotel has two restaurants. The Range Steakhouse features a warm, inviting decor in a fine dining setting – with friendly service and great food.

The Roadhouse Casino and Hotel is also home to Tunica’s most expansive buffet, the Big Kitchen Buffet, where chefs spin pizzas and decorate desserts right in front of your eyes! You’ll feast on home-style Southern cooking, all-American favorites — and the best seafood spread in Tunica.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Lots of room between slot machine banks, so that you do not get that over crowed feeling.
• Free drinks while gambling and friendly service
• Buffet
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, although it is older and the rooms have not been remodeled in some time.

Although we have stayed at the Roadhouse Casino and Hotel and found the room to be quite acceptable, we did notice that there are quite a few reviews on various web sites that are negative about the cleanliness of the rooms.

The Casino has been recently been updated and looks great. We hope the rooms are next , which will return this hotel to a 1^st class location to stay at.

It is a 2 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for most tourist needs.

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Total Rewards slot players card system run by Harrah’s. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many Las Vegas hotels, as well as sister hotels in Tunica, Biloxi, Laughlin and Reno as well as across the United States in various locales..

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes. Harrah’s has over 30 properties across the US and also one or two in Canada.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel in a large surface parking lot in front of the casino. There is also a parking garage located by the Horseshoe casino which is immediately beside the Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels and then walk across the road to the casino. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions:

Tunica Roadhouse Casino & Hotel, 1107 Casino Center Drive, Tunica Resorts, MS 38664

From Atlanta, GA

Take I-20 West to Birmingham, AL. Follow US 78 West to Hwy 302. Go west on Hwy 302 (Goodman Rd ) to Hwy 61 South. Take 61 South to Casino Center Dr. Then, turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Biloxi, MS

Take I-10 West to US Hwy 49 North. Follow Hwy 49N to I-55 North. Next, follow I-55 North to exit I-69 South. Take I-69 Sto Hwy 61 South. Turn left on Hwy 61 South to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Birmingham, AL

Take US-78 west towards Tupelo, MS/Memphis , TN. Follow US 78 for approx. 210 miles. Take Hwy 302 (Goodman Rd ) west towards Southaven, MS. Follow Hwy 302 west for approx. 14 miles. Hwy 302 will run into US-61 South. Turn left onto US-61 to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Central or Eastern TN

Take I-40 West to Memphis. Follow I-240 to I-55 south. Continue to follow I-55 South to the I-69 Exit. Follow I-69 to Hwy 61 S. Turn left on Hwy 61 S. Take Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Little Rock, AR

Take I-40 east to Memphis (follow signs to I-55 South). Next, take I-55 South to Hwy 61S. Follow Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.

From Memphis International Airport

Exit the airport heading west on Winchester. Go west on Winchester to 3rd St. (Hwy 61). Turn left on Hwy 61. Take Hwy 61 S to Casino Center Dr. Turn right onto Casino Center Dr. Make a slight right to stay on Casino Center Dr. Tunica Roadhouse Casino will be on the right of Horseshoe Casino.