When most people think of gambling meccas, they envision Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Perhaps they dream of Monte Carlo or even Macau. But what about road trips? Everyone has heard of the “Casino Road […]
online top casinoWhen most people think of gambling meccas, they envision Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Perhaps they dream of Monte Carlo or even Macau. But what about road trips? Everyone has heard of the “Casino Road Trip,” but most assume that means Las Vegas or one of its equally-large counterparts. What if I told you that there are smaller casinos all across the United States worth the drive? What if I told you that some of these small casinos rival their big city brethren in terms of games offered, hotel accommodations and entertainment? Would you pack the car?
**Kansas Not Only Allows Casino Resorts **but has Some That Are Worth the Drive
This might surprise some of you, but it shouldn’t. After all, Americans like to gamble, and they like convenience. If a constitutional amendment puts up an obstacle to convenient gambling, enterprising residents will find ways around it. That’s exactly what happened in Kansas. When the state voted to outlaw most forms of gambling in 1872, Kansans found other ways to satisfy their thirst for risk. Bingo, horse races and lotteries filled the void until the early 2000s when casinos started appearing all over the state.
Today, Kansas boasts more than a dozen casinos offering slot machines, table games and live poker. Although none of them can hold a candle to the Strip in Las Vegas, several of them come close. The following three casinos offer top-notch gaming, luxurious hotels and world-class entertainment. They’re definitely worth the drive if you live in the region.
Casino Cruises
If you’ve driven through Wichita lately, you know that traffic is a nightmare. That’s why I prefer the Mississippi Queen, which sails nightly on the Arkansas River. Okay, so there’s really just one casino boat in Kansas, and it’s not really a ship. It’s more of a floating barge, but at least you get your sea legs while gambling. That’s enough of the act; here’s some real information about this interesting casino.
Where Is It?
Wellington, Kansas, is the unlikely home of the only casino cruises in the state. This town of 8,000 sits at the junction of Interstates 35 and 135, so it’s easy to get to from the Kansas City metro area, Wichita and Tulsa. Regarding the “cruise,” the Mighty Arkansas River serves as the setting for this unique gambling experience. During warmer months, April through October, passengers can enjoy outdoor decks and scenic river views while they gamble. In colder weather, the action takes place indoors, which is undoubtedly better for everyone involved.
Why Stop Here?
best slots no deposit bonusMost people don’t plan vacations around Kansas casinos, so Casino Cruces differentiates itself from the competition with promotions and giveaways. Since this casino offers the only riverboat gambling in the state, it has a monopoly on certain games. For instance, you won’t find Caribbean Stud, Let it Ride or Mini-Baccarat at many other Kansas casinos. If you’ve never played those games before, a road trip to Casino Cruises would be beneficial.
Another reason to stop here is the Players Club. No matter where you live, you can join this club for free, and the tiered structure encourages frequent visits. Ascend the ranks from Ivy (tier 1) to Diamond (tier 4), and you’ll earn cash back, free play, birthday gifts and special discounts. Best of all, if you climb to Black Jewel status (tier 5) or higher, your admission to the cruise is always free.
BlackJewel members also receive invitations to exclusive events like free play giveaways, steak dinners and concert tickets. Finally, the best reason to stop here is the riverboat theme. Sure, it adds nothing to the overall gaming experience, but how many casinos force you to sail on the open waters of the Arkansas River? That seldom happens on the Las Vegas Strip.
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
I-435 and Parallel Parkway put the Hollywood Casino in an ideal spot for race fans. Whether you’re attending the NASCAR weekend or not, you should make time for this excellent track. The casino features more than 1,000 slot machines and all the table games you can handle. A spacious poker room hosts some of the most important tournaments in the region. On top of everything, Hollywood Casino throws extravagant parties for movie premieres and awards ceremonies.
Where Is It?
The Hollywood Casino sits adjacent to the Kansas Speedway, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri State Line. From the east, take I-435 to Exit 16 (Parallel Parkway). Turn right onto Parallel Parkway and continue past the speedway. The casino will be on your left. From the west, use Exit 15 and follow KS-10/KS-7/Stockyards Dr to Parallel Pkwy. Turn left onto Parallel Pkwy, and the casino will be on your left.
Why Stop Here?
First, check the list of active promotions on the Hollywood Casino website. You’ll find opportunities to earn free play, restaurant vouchers, event tickets and more. Second, join the Club CineRewards loyalty program to start earning points on your wagers. As a member, you’ll qualify for personalized offers, including free play and dining dollars. Finally, don’t miss an opportunity to attend one of the star-studded galas in the Vault Stadium Seating Theatre. Recent guests include Brad Pitt, Quentin Tarantino, Jennifer Lawrence, Will Smith and Meryl Streep.
Best PA Online Casino Bonus Offers - Get Your Welcome Bonus!Kansas Star Casino, Hotel & Humidor
Money Truck Robbery Happened Here!
You can’t miss the Kansas Star Casino because its towering facade dominates the Mesika Creek Valley. In fact, this building stands out even in Murder, Minnesota, but that’s another story. This casino features slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and more. Specialty table games like Throw Down and Midnight Roulette provide unique experiences, and the non-smoking poker room stays busy day or night. If you need a place to stay, reserve a room at the connected hotel, and don’t forget to light up at the humidor. The Kansas Star truly is a triple threat.
Where Is It?
From I-35, take exit 17 to merge onto US-160 W toward Caney. Turn left onto KS-96 W/Canonball Rd. Continue to follow KS-96 W. Turn left onto US-160 Sp/US-54/N 125th St W. Turn right onto N 143rd St W. Destination will be on the right.
Why Stop Here?
Like most modern casinos, Kansas Star offers a generous players club. If that’s the only factor you consider when choosing a casino, then sign up now. Star Club members earn points that can be redeemed for cash, free play, restaurant dollars, merchandise and discounts. Additionally, club members receive invitation-only offers, personalized mailers, and access to special events. Finally, Star Club members have a chance to win jackpots every month based on their play during the previous month. Nobody is going to turn down free cash, so remember to sign in when you arrive.
In addition to the Star Club, the Kansas Star Casino offers more benefits than most venues. First, this casino supports omnichannel gambling. Players can begin a game on the casino floor and complete it online from home. Just visit the Reward Station in the center of the casino and link your Star Club account to your phone number and email address. Now, you can complete the same play on your phone or laptop and earn points for it.
Second, the Kansas Star Casino goes smoke-free in some areas. If you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, head up to the second floor. The table games, non-smoking poker room and lounge area are all located upstairs. Furthermore, the entire Humidor is protected from smoke. If you’ve never been in a cigar bar, it’s like an upscale lounge with plush chairs, big screen TVs and, of course, humidors full of fine tobacco products. Buy a $25 humidor beer, light up a stogie and watch the game with other cigar aficionados. This isn’t something you’ll find on the Las Vegas Strip.
Casino Table Games Similar to Poker You Should Try - Indivisible GamingFinally, the Kansas Star Casino occasionally stops its operations for armed robberies. That’s right; two such incidents occurred in 2021. On March 21, 2021, four men walked away with $27,000 after threatening employees and stealing cash from the high-limit section. Nearly eight months later, on October 19, 2021, two masked men stole $12,000 from the sportsbook. Fortunately, no patrons were harmed during either of these heists, and I doubt anyone was surprised, either. Violence is never acceptable, but stuff like this happens all the time in big cities, so it’s not a good reason to avoid this fine establishment.
Other Kansas Gaming Options
Although the three casinos highlighted above are my favorites, several others deserve consideration. In fact, I encourage you to explore all seven of these facilities to determine which ones are worthy of road trip status. Who knows? You may find a hidden gem that rivals any casino in Las Vegas.
- Cameron Camp Ground Casino – Located in Cameron, Missouri, just north of the Kansas border, this facility offers slots, video poker and keno. There is no on-site lodging, but RV spaces are available.
- Dosune Casino & Hotel – Also situated in Cameron, the Dosune Casino features more than 600 slot machines, keno, video poker and a sports bar. The attached hotel offers 52 rooms, and both smoking and non-smoking sections are available.
- Great Plains Casino – Located in the middle of nowhere between Oakley and Bogue City, the Great Plains Casino offers 350 slot machines, live blackjack and roulette tables, a lounge and a deli. Unfortunately, this facility does not have a hotel, but nearby towns offer plenty of choices.
- Kansas Crossing Casino and Resort – Pink Floyd fans ought to love this Pittsburg casino, located off I-44. An exact replica of the Dark Side of the Moon prism stands outside the building, and a stylized hammer sits in the entrance. Inside, you’ll find slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, a pizza joint and a hotel with an indoor water park.
- Prairie Flower Casino – Yawkey, population 60, is so small that it doesn’t warrant its own casino, so the Prairie Flower decided to share. You can find this facility in the nearby Walnut Village Mall. Don’t let the strip mall location dissuade you; this casino offers all the class III and class II slot machines you can handle.
- Reserve Casino & Resort – The tiny town of Wyandotte (population 300) is home to this full-service gambling establishment. The Reserve Casino boasts 500 slot machines, live table games, a poker room and a 40-room resort with a pool and hot tub. Satisfy your hunger at Kelly’s Steakhouse and Grille or grab a quick bite at the Deli on the Run.
In conclusion, Kansas isn’t such a bad place after all. With ten casinos and a couple of casino boats, the Sunflower State offers plenty of gaming options. Admittedly, none of these resorts can challenge the Fontainebleau or the Wynn, but who needs chandeliers when you have friendly dealers? Pack a cooler with sandwiches, fill up the gas tank and hit the road. Your next great gambling experience could be waiting in Kansas.
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