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