If you can drive there, it’s not a casino, right? At least that was the attitude in Pennsylvania when any discussion involving gambling brought up the six casinos within its borders.
best casino online no deposit bonusThat changed rather dramatically in 2017 when the state expanded gambling to include sports betting and threw its doors open to allow operational off-track betting establishments (aka OTBs). That opened the door to casinos outside of PA, ones that many Philadelphians were already familiar with because they could be reached in less than three hours by car.
Casinos Near Philadelphia
The COVID pandemic put a damper on trips to neighboring states for those who like to gamble, but things have mostly returned to normal. Let’s look at seven casinos near Philadelphia worth the drive, even if it means wearing a mask inside.
Ocean Casino Resort
Located on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, the Ocean Casino Resort sits across the street from several other casinos, including Caesars, the Hard Rock, and the Tropicana. A short walk along the beach puts you at the iconic Steel Pier amusement park or Trump Plaza (now called the Hard Rock), depending on your mood.
When the Eagles need a place to practice before a big game, they use the Ocean’s stadium-sized lot. That should tell you something about how close Philadelphia is to its neighbor across the Delaware Bay. The answer is just over an hour and change.
Like most casinos in Atlantic City, Ocean offers all of the table games you would expect, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and various poker games. They also have nearly 2,000 slot machines.
And while smoking is banned inside all AC casinos, you might think you were in Las Vegas during the 1970s due to the thick cigarette smoke in the air outside the building. Still, Ocean does offer some great entertainment options, such as the Pryme Rib eye Steakhouse, Bobby Flay Steak, and OlON.
If you like the ocean breezes (and secondhand smoke), then Ocean Casino Resort might be your best bet among casinos near Philadelphia.
Resorts Casino Hotel
Right next door to the Ocean is the Resorts Casino Hotel. Opened in 1978, the Resorts was the first casino in Atlantic City. Sadly, after various ownership changes, it fell on hard times and closed in September 2014. Less than a month later, the Hard Rock announced its plans to purchase and renovate the property, reopening it as a Hard Rock Casino in the summer of 2018.
online casino best signup bonusThe Hard Rock is known worldwide for its collection of rock & roll memorabilia. Its Atlantic City location doesn’t disappoint, featuring Sonny Kurfiss’ pink Cadillac, Bruce Springsteen’s blue suede piano, Southside Johnny’s road case, and dozens of music-themed guitars adorning the walls.
In addition to the excellent decor, Resorts has an impressive selection of gaming options, from penny slots to VIP piggy banks filled with $5,000 in coins.
They have all of the typical table games, plus 100-ounce beer mugs filled with chips and buckets of shrimp that rival the size of said mug.
You won’t find too many deals for rooms in AC these days (thank you, Voyager), but the Hard Rock usually has some decent specials. Even better, Philly is only about an hour away.
Harrington Raceway & Casino
While all of the previous locations required a trip across another state’s border, our next destination is just north of Delaware Park in Chester, PA. Known originally as Harrington Raceway, the facility started life in October 1945 as Harrington Park Fairgrounds.
Nine years later, the Delaware Standardbred Association built a half-mile race track around the fairgrounds, opening on Aug. 16, 1954. Thoroughbred racing began at Harrington in 1976, followed by year-round racing in 1983.
In June 1995, Delaware Park opened, siphoning off much of the business from Harrington. To stay afloat, Harrington added slot machines, then table games and more slots. Today it’s known simply as Harrington Raceway & Casino.
Top Free No Download Poker Sites 2023With more than 2,000 slot machines and electronic table games and 28 traditional table games, Harrington gives Delaware Park a run for its money. Their diverse restaurant selections range from the upscale Grain to the Quick Bites stand near the slots.
Philly bettors can reach Harrington in about 90 minutes via I-95.
Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment
Continuing our tour of Delaware racetracks turned casinos, we travel 40 miles south of Harrington to Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment. Opened in 1969, Dover was the third harness track in the First State.
Best Illinois Online Casinos - IL Local Casino Brands (2023)In addition to live racing between April and November, Dover Downs features an award-winning hotel, a high-end spa, and multiple dining options. And like its neighbor to the north, Dover supplemented its live racing handle with slots and table games.
I used to make the drive to Dover once a month for almost 20 years, so I can attest to the quality of their cooking at places like the Steak House, the Buffet, and the Upstairs Poker Lounge. In addition to the usual craps, roulette, and blackjack, Dover offers unique takes on gambling, such as Roulette Twenty-One and Sic Bo.
And yes, they still have live harness racing from mid-April through early November.
Philadelphia bettors will need about two hours to get to Dover, but it’s well worth the drive, especially if you enjoy live racing.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
So far, all of my choices for casinos near Philadelphia have come with an asterisk — they’re technically in another state. Our next stop returns us to the First State, specifically Charles Town, WVa. While Philadelphia bettors must cross the state line, the drive to the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races usually takes less than two hours.
Mobile Slots You Have to Play on Your Phone or Tablet - #8 is IncredibleHollywood at Charles Town Races opens at 9 am every day, making it an attractive choice for sleepy-headed South Philly grinders. In addition to traditional table games, they offer unique twists on poker, craps, and other favorites. Of course, Hollywood has plenty of slot machines, including hot drop jackpots and linked progressives.
As you might expect from a MGM property, Hollywood at Charles Town Races features top-notch entertainment, restaurants, and bars. And let’s not forget about the live racing at the Charles Town Races, which runs from mid-December through early November.
Live! Casino Pittsburgh
We return to Pennsylvania for our sixth pick, Live! Casino Pittsburgh. Located in West Homestead, this property opened in October 2020, replacing the Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, which moved to a newer and larger facility.
Unibet Casino Bonus Review - Best Deals & PromotionsLive! has over 500 slot machines and electronic table games, along with 30+ traditional table games. With 250 rooms and suites, you don’t need to drive home after a long night of dropping chips into the dealer’s hands.
And speaking of dealers, Live! offers 2160square feet of dedicated tables, the largest in southwestern PA. As one might expect from a Maryland Live! casino, the food is outstanding, with everything from an upscale steak house to a Fruitful Yield marketplace.
Getting to Western PA from Philadelphia shouldn’t take much more than two hours via the PA Turnpike.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino
For our final stop, we head north to Erie, PA, and the Presque Isle Downs & Casino. Located on 115 acres, this facility opened in 2007, providing another option for bettors who don’t want to make the trip across the bridge to Philly.
PIDC offers over 2,000 slot machines, electronic table games, and traditional table games. High rollers will love the VIP Baccarat area, complete with 18 foot tables and domed ceiling lights that mimic the movement of jade stones.
winsor canada casinoAside from the gambling, Presque Isle Downs & Casino provides fantastic entertainment options, from fine dining to fast-food grub. Their yearly schedule includes live harness racing, the Erie County Fair, and concerts by national recording artists.
Of course, getting to Erie from Philly requires a bit more time, generally closer to three hours via I-76 and I-90. But the extra driving might be worth it for the occasional gambler seeking a full entertainment experience.
Other Casinos Near Philadelphia
I intentionally limited my list to casinos within a three-hour drive of Center City, Philadelphia. But several others deserve mention, starting with Resorts World New York City, located in the borough of Queens. Technically, it’s an offtrack betting facility, but it has over 600 slot machines and 100 table games.
Other options include Monticello Casino & Resort in Monticello, NY; Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT; Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT; and Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY. All are within easy driving distance of Philadelphia, although the last three require a trek across a bridge or tunnel, which might be a problem on a weekend evening.
Great Sites Where You Can Win Real Money Playing PokerFinal Thoughts on Casinos Near Philadelphia
Whether you prefer the smoky atmosphere of Atlantic City or the fresh sea breeze off the ocean, you have plenty of choices when looking for casinos near Philadelphia. Or perhaps you would prefer a trip to Delaware to play the slots or watch standardbare or thoroughbred racing.
No matter where you go, however, always remember why they call the one-armed bandits “the slots.”
Kevin Roberts, previously published as Daniel Taylor, is a freelance writer specializing in gaming, including casino, poker, and sports betting. His work has appeared in numerous gaming publications, including Poker Magazine, Card Player, Gaming Today, Poker Atlas, and the Hardrock Casino's Velocity Magazine. He's also a published novelist, often using the name D.Z. Cartney.
