Casinos & Gambling

Editors’ Picks

Best throwback room

Reno’s casino heyday is in the past. The casino industry is still an important part of our economy and culture, of course, but it doesn’t have the singular dominance over the city the way it did for more than half a century. Nowadays, the city is trying to position itself as a tech hub, or an outdoor sports hotspot, or an arts mecca, or some unholy Frankenstein mix of all of the above. (Or maybe it’s just a city full of delusional yuppies who just moved here with vague notions of Palo Alto, Aspen or Austin.) Still, sometimes it’s nice to take in some old-school, throwback casino entertainment. Sammy’s Showroom, in Harrah’s, is a classy, old-fashioned nightclub, with great sound and nary a bad seat in the house. A lot of big names performed there back in the day, including Don Rickles, Joan Rivers and Sammy Davis, Jr., for whom the room was named. In recent years, a lot of local talent has appeared on the stage, including magic shows by local illusionists and burlesque shows by local choreographers. The Rat Pack is Back was a great recent show, with funny, convincing Rat Pack impersonators backed by local musicians. It’s great to hear anything in that room—but especially the music for which it was intended.

Readers’ Picks

Best casino

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

3. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

Most eco-friendly casino

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino arcade games

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino bartender

1. Ilona Smith-Martinez

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Garry Beard

Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

Best casino buffet

1. Toucan Charlie’s

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

2. The Buffet

Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

3. Grand Buffet

Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. 789-2000

Best casino carpet

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino bar

1. Fireside Lounge

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. The Brew Brothers

Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

3. Terrace Lounge

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

Best casino dance club

1. Edge Nightclub

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., 689-7444

2. Lex Nightclub

Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., 789-5399

3. The Brew Brothers

Eldorado, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

Best place to cash your check

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Western Village Inn & Casino

815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069

Best casino game dealer

1. Jeanne Moucho

Silver Legacy, 2500 E. Second St., 329-4777

Best casino color scheme

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino hotel

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino restaurant

1. Atlantis Steakhouse

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

2. Bistro Napa

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino security

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best customer service

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best casino spa

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

3. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

Best casino for a romantic getaway

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best players’ club reward casino

1. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

2. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best poker room

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best sportsbook

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700