- One hour away from Syracuse is the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
- Del Lago Resort & Casino is a modern facility that is only 35 minutes from Syracuse.
- The closest resort is the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino which is just 206 KM away.
New York state might not be famous for its gambling culture but there are still some great casinos around the state. If you live in or are visiting Syracuse, NY, and feel lucky, there are several casinos within two hours’ drive that can satisfy your gaming needs.
Most of them are Indian casinos, while one is a commercial resort built in 2017. I will also include Cuba, NY (only 25 minutes from Syracuse), which has a virtual casino, where you can play slots without really losing any money.
I’m sure you’ll be interested to know what the best casinos near Syracuse, NY, have to offer regarding number of games available, hotel accommodation, dining facilities, and location in general. So, let’s find out more about the top six casinos within a two-hour radius of Syracuse.
chicago tribune casinoSeneca Allegany Resort & Casino (Salamanca, NY)
- Game Selection: Onsite hotel : Yes
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 1,600
- Contact: (877) 876-1611
If you are looking to travel the least possible distance from Syracuse to a casino, then Salamanca is the place for you. It will take you only one hour to reach the town, right next to the Cascade Lake State Park, where the stands the magnificent .
The resort was refurbished in 2004 and enlarged with an extra 120 rooms, making a total of 435 rooms, including deluxe suites, concierge floors, etc. In fact, all the rooms have been renovated recently and boast a Native American theme.
Seneca Allegany offers over 1,600 slot machines and around 20 table games where you can play blackjack, craps, roulette, and various poker options. There are also high-stakes gaming areas. If you are into sports betting, you can take advantage of the sports lounge with 50 large screen TVs showing games from different sports and venues.
Inside the casino, there are three restaurants – the upscale Tiondaleho: Steak & Seafood, the self-service buffet style Yawë: Fire by Arturo Boats, and the cafe Style 180 Grill. There are also two bars inside the casino – Seneca Seasons and High Limit Lounge.
If you prefer fresh air, you can go golfing on the nearby Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Also, located within walking distance from the casino, you can find the Seneca Art & Culture Center, which is dedicated to the Seneca people and their heritage.
Tioga Downs Casino Resort (Nicholasville, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : No
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 950
- Contact: (607) 687-8320
If you don’t mind going a bit further for a better gaming experience, my recommendation is , located in the Finger Lakes Wine Country, about 55 miles from Syracuse, or roughly one hour driving via I-81 N.
The casino used to be a harness horse racing track until it was purchased and transformed into a full-featured gambling venue in 2016. Its recent opening explains the modern look of the facility and the brand-new equipment.
There are 950 slots and 60 table games where you can play all the popular variations of blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, etc. Also, there is a separate Non-Smoker gaming area and a VIP lounge. In case you want to learn how to play a certain game, there are specialists available who would teach you for free.
Best Online Casino Software Providers in 2023-2024Tioga Downs also features a racebook where you can bet on races from tracks all over the country. There are over 500 HDTVs where you can follow the events or watch simulcast races.
Along with a sports bar, the casino complex houses two eateries – Upstairs Bar & Lounge and Colonial Terrace. There are also outdoor terraces overlooking the beautiful valley.
If you decide to stay overnight or longer, I recommend that you book a room at the newly built hotel with 65 luxurious suites featuring breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and lakes. There are also several meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology if you happen to be travelling for business.
Seneca Gaming & Entertainment (Niagara Falls, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : No
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 1,043
- Contact: (877) 873-6328
is another good option if you plan a trip to Niagara Falls. From Syracuse, it would take you about one and a half hours to get there. You might consider it as a secondary option after Tioga Downs because it is older, though completely renewed and refurbished in 2012.
What makes it less attractive than Tioga Downs are the fewer games available. However, there are 1,000 slots and 50 tables where you can enjoy blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, etc. What is more, there is a High Limit room and a smoke-free gaming area.
Apart from the regular entertainment provided by the casino itself, you can also visit the attached Legends Concert Venue & Event Centre where famous musicians perform regularly. Check their website to see if your favourite artist is scheduled for a concert during your stay.
When you get hungry, you can choose between four restaurants offering different menus: casual dining at the Buffalo Run Restaurant; tasty appetizers and cocktails at the High Limit Lounge; quality steaks and seafood at the Noliago Steak House; and quick bites at the Sunshine Restaurant open 24/7.
As of now, there are no rooms at the resort, but you can take a stroll across the street and check the brand-new Hotel Niagara USA, where you can relax after an exciting night at the casino.
Lodi Entertainment Center (Lodi, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : No
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Bingo
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 500
- Contact: (315) 539-6791
Located halfway between Syracuse and Watertown, NY, off exit 40 of the NYS Thruway, lies a small but cozy resort called Lodi Entertainment Center. From Syracuse, it would take you approximately 45 minutes to get there.
This Indian casino offers everything you need for a pleasant gambling experience: 500 new slot machines, electronic roulette terminals, live bingo sessions held every day except Sunday, and a restaurant where you can treat yourself to a delicious meal.
While Oneida Casino is not a large venue, it is clean, well taken care of, and provides the necessary amount of excitement without long distances between the games and the machines. The staff is friendly and helpful, ready to answer any questions you may have regarding the slot machines and other games.
The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, so whenever you feel hungry, you can stop by and indulge in some local specialties. By the way, don’t miss trying the famous Iroquois-style hickory-smoked barbeque!
Online Casinos That Give You the Best Bonus in the USA for 2023If you are planning a celebration, such as birthday, anniversary, bachelor/ette party, graduation, etc., you can contact Lodi Casino and ask for their Special Occasion Package. They guarantee an unforgettable evening for you and your guests.
Del Lago Resort & Casino (Tyre, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : No
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : 100
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 2,000
- Contact: (315) 532-8796
Del Lago Resort & Casino is another relatively new gambling spot in New York state that opened doors in 2017. This stylish facility is situated halfway between Syracuse and Rochester, in the vicinity of Cayuga Lake, which is worth a visit during the warmer season of the year.
You can reach the resort in about 35 minutes by taking NY-92W and I-81 S from South Town St. This journey covers a distance of 32 km (20 miles).
The casino boasts 2,000 slot machines, 100 table games, a high-limit room, and even a separate poker room with 20 tables. All that covered under one roof makes Del Lago Resort & Casino one of the major competitors of the ageing yellow Resorts World Catskills.
Apart from the non-stop entertainment offered by the casino itself, you can enjoy performances by famous singers at the Tapas Bar & Lounge or The Vine, or have a fine-dining experience at Rattle Snake Meadow. If you are craving for fast food, you can grab a bite at the Eleven Twenty-Three brasserie.
All this fun sometimes makes you forget that you came here to sleep, not the opposite. Fortunately, Del Lago Resort & Casino has a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel with spacious rooms and scenic views of the Finger Lakes region.
Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino (Niagara Falls, Canada)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : No
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : 80
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 4,000
- Contact: (888) 325-3782
My last suggestion for casinos near Syracuse will require you to cross the border to Canada. However, that should not be a problem because everyone can enter the country using the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTC).
You will need an enhanced driver’s license or an improved ID card, which you can obtain at the DMV. Just make sure your passport is valid at least six months beyond your expected return date.
The reason why I suggest venturing to another country to gamble is the biggest resort in southern Ontario – . It is located right on the Clifton Hill, overlooking the Horseshoe Falls, at a distance of about 206 km (128 mi) north-west of Syracuse. It usually takes a little over two hours by car to get there.
Once you arrive, you will notice that size does matter when it comes to casinos. With an overall area of 105,000 square feet, filled with 4,000 slot machines, 130 table games, a high-stakes room with credit for expert players, and a 3-table live-action poker room, this resort easily fits the definition of ‘resort’.
Actually, it is more than a casino. Inside the building, you will discover a luxury hotel with over 389 guest rooms and suites, 30 conference rooms, a full-service spa, a salon, two fitness centres, and much more.
If this is not enough, there are three outstanding restaurants that will tempt your taste buds – the steakhouse Cut coal Derek, the upscale CHAYDA ISKALTIN, and the family-friendly Noodle Bar. For a quick snack or a refreshing beverage, you can go to the Lighthouse Point Café or the Rootawanga Sandwich Pub.
Cuba, NY (near Syracuse)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : Real Money
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Video Poker
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 150+
- Real Money Venue
One of the closest places to Syracuse that you could call a casino is the Seneca Gaming & Entertainment Cuba. But it is, in reality, a roadside truck stop that features video gaming machines.
It’s only 25 minutes down the NY-695 from Syracuse, so it’s very convenient. And with its 150+ gaming machines, it draws crowds from the city.
But of course, it doesn’t hold a candle to what Syracuse online casinos and the best NY mobile gambling apps can offer. Those platforms give you thousands of games, delivered straight to your smartphone or tablet. And the best part? You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to play them.
For example, the DraftKings Casino app is one of the best in the business. Not only can you earn a $200 bonus just for signing up, but you’ll also have access to a world-class gaming library. Titles like Lightning Blackjack, Divine Fortune, and 100,000 Pyramid sit among the hundreds of games that you can play.
No Land-Based Casinos in Cuba, NY
You won’t find table games or live-dealer titles on the DraftKings Casino site, but that’s what the Virtual Gaming Machine (VGM) facility at Seneca Gaming & Entertainment Cuba is for. This roadside rest stop is all that remains of what used to be a proper casino in Cuba, NY.
Getting a proper casino in Cuba, NY, might be tricky. Getting it named after a country that’s just a few dozen miles to the south-east is not.
That’s why the resort was renamed to its current name back in 2014. That way, it wouldn’t get confused with other resorts in states like Maine, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Nevada.
However, you won’t find table games, poker, or a hotel on the premises. Instead, the property is run as a roadside VGM facility.
It is open 24/7, 364 days per year (they close early on Christmas Day). Speak to any locals, and they’ll probably tell you that it used to be a lot better back in the day.
Back in the 1970s, for instance, you could stay at the resort, dine in its restaurants, and enjoy cabaret shows in the evenings. Nowadays, you are free to use the bathroom and purchase a meal from the Coffee Cup Diner. That’s exactly what most people do.
On the other hand, the VGM lounge is perfectly nice. There are around 150 machines on the floor, accepting bets of all sizes. You can play anything from old-school fruit machines to the latest 3D slots.
Like many other roadhouses along the turnpike, the Cuba Mohawk VGM Facility relies on loyal customers. That’s why the coffee is cheap, the portions are large, and the VGM machines give out free drinks and complimentary hostesses.
Speaking of compliments, watch out for the VGMperks loyalty scheme. You earn points for every dollar wagered, which can then be redeemed for cash and prizes. New members also receive free plays on the VGM machines after signing up.
Even though the resort lost its casino status, the Coffee Cup Diner continues to serve some huge meals. The cabaret shows might be a thing of the past, but you can always listen to the local truckers discussing the latest slot tips and hacks.
Who knows? Maybe you can pick up a few tricks of the trade next time you pop in for a burger and fries.
Map of Casinos Near Syracuse, NY
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More Fantastic Casino Options Within Easy Reach of Syracuse
Didn’t find what you were looking for among those five resorts? How about expanding the search area and looking for casinos within a 3-hour drive from Syracuse?
I did some research and found three fantastic venues that are definitely worth the ride. Of course, there is always the option to open the DraftKings Casino app and skip this section altogether.
Yellow Brick Road Casino & Hotel (Chittenango, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : Real Money
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 1,000+
- Contact:(315) 788-0100
Yellow Brick Road Casino & Hotel is a popular gambling destination located in Chittenango, not far from Syracuse. It takes about 25 minutes to get there by taking I-690 W and NY-92 W from South Town St. The distance between the two cities is about 20 miles (32 km).
The casino features over 1,000 slot machines, 20 table games, a high-roller room, a sports book, and even a poker room with 30 seats. As you can see, this is another Indian casino operated under the banner of Lago Entertainments.
More casinos like this can be found in Yonkers and Tyre (Del Lago Resort & Casino), both of which offer first-class gambling opportunities and modern facilities.
Yellow Brick Road Casino & Hotel is a relatively new establishment built in 2016 and expanded in 2018 with a boutique hotel featuring 55 comfortable rooms and suites. Each room is decorated in soothing colors and provides all the amenities needed for a relaxing stay.
There are also larger suites that can accommodate families or groups of friends. Regardless of which room you pick, you will have a lovely view of the Finger Lakes region.
The casino also houses a full-service restaurant known as Bricks Tavern, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks, seven days a week. You can start your day with a hearty breakfast burrito or pancakes the size of a hubcap and continue with juicy burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other delicious dishes for the rest of the day.
Wash down your meal with a glass of wine or beer from the extensive list of beverages or order your favorite cocktail from the bar. If you are in a hurry, drop by the Takeout window and grab a hot dog or a footlong corn dog on your way out.
Resorts World Catskills (Mont ICello, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : Real Money
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 2,150
- Contact: _(888) 888-7668
Resorts World Catskills is perhaps the closest casino to New York City. Located in Monticcello, NY, it is only 90 miles north-west of Manhattan, which is about a 2-hour drive via I-87 N. Alternatively, you can take the train from Penn Station to Thompson Mahady Resort, where the casino is located.
Google Doodles You Should Play Before Their Casino Games GoAnyway, the main benefit of this gambling venue is its proximity to the Big Apple, allowing city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Catskill Mountains.
The casino floor spreads over 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2), filled with the latest slot machines, electronic table games, and video poker. Whether you are a low roller or a high stakes player, you will find an appropriate machine or game to suit your budget and skills.
Unfortunately, there are no hotels on the premises, but you can book a room at one of the partnering lodgings and receive $10 in FREE SLOT$ upon arrival. Isn’t that a great deal?
Here is a shortlist of Resorts World partners and additional info:
- The Inn at Thompson Mahady – an elegant mountain resort surrounded by nature and tranquility. - $10 FREE SLOT$ per adult guest per night stayed. - Up to two (2) FREE SLOT$ per reservation. - Complimentary shuttle bus service to RWMTC. - Reservations: 1-866-880-4828.
- Plattekill Mountain – a ski resort transformed into a summer getaway with hiking trails, music festivals, etc. - $5 FREE SLOT$ per person per night stayed. - Maximum of four (4) FREE SLOT$ per reservation. - Reservations: 1-800-451-3358.
- Nevele Woods Resort – a historic hotel reopening in spring 2021 after a complete renovation. - $10 FREE SLOT$ per person per night stayed. - Maximum of three (3) FREE SLOT$ per reservation. - Reservations: 1-844-777-NEVELE.
If you decide to stay closer to home, you can ask for the commuter offer and receive $5 in FREE SLOT$ for each time you wager a minimum of $25 at any RWM slot machines or electronic table games. There are also several excellent restaurants inside the resort where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts prepared by master chefs.
Don’t miss the chance to try the famous New York-style pizza while sipping your favorite drink and listening to live music or watching sport events on giant screens.
Best NJ Online Casinos of 2023 - Top New Jersey Casino SitesResorts World Catskills Monticello (Mont ICello, NY)
- Game Selection: Online gambling : Real Money
- Dining Facilities: Table Games : Yes
- Other Facilities: Poker Room Slots: 2,150
- Contact: _(888) 888-7668
If you thought that Resorts World Catskills had an identical twin, you are absolutely right. This sister venue is smaller and younger than its brother but provides the same level of service and entertainment.
Resorts World Catskills is located in the charming mountainside town of Thompson, about 9 miles (14 km) south-west of Monticcello. To be precise, its address is 6721 Route 28, Mount Vision, NY 12764.
From Manhattan, it would take you approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to get there by car. Another option is to take a short flight with a private jet since the nearby Sullivan County Airport (LBJ) can accommodate small aircraft.
Once you arrive, you will notice that Resorts World Catskills Monticello is nearly identical to its brother. The same owner – Empire Resorts – manages both properties, so you can expect the same high standards of hospitality and gambling pleasures.
For instance, the casino area is equally impressive with 2,150 slots and electronic table games waiting for you around every corner. The Lucky North Catalytic RV Resort & Cottages is another similarity since both venues lack hotels.
usa new casino no deposit bonusInstead, RWCMT offers RV campsites and cozy cottages rented on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Each cottage can accommodate four persons and comes with a bathroom, kitchen, living room, air conditioning, cable TV, WiFi, and other amenities.
As you see, there is no shortage of casinos near Syracuse, New York. On the contrary, you have a wide selection of land-based resorts and online casino sites at your disposal.
Now that you know where to find the top casinos in and around Syracuse, it’s time to choose your favorite spots and prepare for the journey ahead. Don’t forget to try some of the local specialties and explore the natural beauties of Central New York.
If you can’t visit a brick-and-mortar casino today, rest assured there are plenty of Syracuse online casino options to keep you entertained.
The Draftkings Casino App leads the way when it comes to online gambling in NY. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to sign-up and claim your $200 welcome bonus.
After that, you can browse the games lobby and lose yourself in hundreds of top-quality slots and classic casino games.
Harry is a freelance writer from the UK, who has been writing about gambling related topics for many years now. Harry's expertise is inland casino games, primarily blackjack and roulette. He's also knowledgeable aboutmany other topics such as sports betting, poker, crime, history, and technology.
When he's not writing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, as well as playing blackjack in simulation mode to reinforce the important parenting lessons he's trying to instil in his son.
