If you’re looking for casinos in Pensacola, Fla., there aren’t any that are located in the city itself. However, there are some great options within a short drive.
The Gulf Breeze Casino and Perdido Beach Resort Casinos are both right across the state line in Alabama, each just under 10 miles from downtown Pensacola. The Jack C. Montgomery Sr. Center (population 176!) has a satellite casino with slot machines about 25 miles north of Pensacola. Harveys Lakeview Resort & Casino is nearly 40 miles southwest, but it straddles the state line, and the vast majority of the facility is in Florida.
We’ll tell you a bit more about that final option first, and then we’ll work our way back.
bally sports casinoHarveys Lakeview Resort & Casino
Just 3.6 miles inside Mississippi from the state line, Harveys Lakeview Resort & Casino is advertised as a Florida casino, and who are we to argue?
It certainly makes life easier for those of us who don’t want to deal with figuring out Mississippi gambling laws. And even though only half of this large casino resort sits in Florida, all of the gaming space – including slots, video poker, table games, a poker room, and sportsbook – is on the Florida side.
They offer many of the same promotions to Florida and Mississippi residents, although the latter can take advantage of lower hotel rates during the week (weekends are one price for both).
Where this Florida casino really shines, however, is its location. It sits high atop Hill 981 overlooking Lake Hiawatha and Big Creek Lake, providing stunning views of the water below and the sunsets above. It also offers easy access to nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore beaches, fishing charters, and scenic drives.
On-site amenities include five places to eat (including a buffet and steakhouse), lounge, gift shop, spa, salon, indoor pool/whirlpool, and fitness center. The 200 guest rooms and suites feature private balconies and wet bars, and pet-friendly rooms are available.
Harveys Lakeview Resort & Casino
Surprising States with Legal Online Casino Gambling- Gaming machine payouts range from 91%-97%
- No resort fee
This Florida casino resort maintains an upscale ambiance throughout but does allow guests to dress somewhat casual in the casino and public areas. Collared shirts and slacks or dresses/skirts are requested (no shorts). Nice shoes are recommended, and bathing suits are not appropriate attire. Men must wear closed-toed shoes in the casino.
If you plan to visit the spa, salon, or fitness center, athletic wear is suggested. Towels and bathrobes are provided at the pool area, and swimwear is required.
Harvey’s Lakeview Casino Resort offers some unique promos, such as a free play slot tournament for seniors on Tuesdays and a $10,000 Free Play Birthday Bingo event every player’s birthday month. They also have bingo, keno, and an RV parking/camping spot recognition program.
It appears Harvey’s Lakeview may be considering adding table games and poker in the future, so stay tuned for further developments.
Greek Crown Casino – Jackson County
There are no table games or poker at this small casino located about 25 miles north of Pensacola in the Jack C. Montgomery Sr. Center, but if you’re in the area, it’s worth a stop.
Greek Crown Casino – Jackson County
- Wireless internet access
- Vending machines
- Casino is open 9 am – 10 pm daily.
- Center hours are 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday
The Greek Crown Casino features around 250 of the newest slot machines, many with denominations higher than most casinos in the area. That means better quality machines with larger jackpots like progressive, flat top, and linked progressives.
Players Club members receive additional benefits, including exclusive invitations to special events and promotions, free play, and food comps at certain venues.
This Florida casino does serve alcohol, and outside alcohol is not permitted in the building. However, they encourage players to use Uber or Lyft and will reimburse up to $30 of your ride home.
While you’re in the area, you might also enjoy the fitness center, senior programs, and other activities offered by the community center. Or head in the opposite direction for the white sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Breeze Casino
Stretched out along the shore of Bon Secour Bay, the OACIA (Orange Beach Indian Community of Alabama) Palm Beach Casino Resort (aka the Gulf Breeze Casino) stands across the state line from Pensacola.
Amenities here include two restaurants – The Grill serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and The Brew coffee shop/deli – lounge, gift shop, ATM, and easy access to the beach.
Palm Beach Casino
- Valley Forge Designer Ashley Furniture
- 42″ flat screen TV
- 37″ flat screen TV
- Refrigerator/freezer
- Coffee maker
- Iron/ironing board
- Hair dryer
Guest rooms at the Palm Beach Casino Resort feature either one king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are available.
While children are welcome at the Gulf Breeze Casino until 9 pm, the resort is primarily geared toward adults, with guests required to be 21 or older after 9 pm.
Slots, video poker, and live table games (blackjack, mini and Mega Wheel, roulette, craps) are all available on the Alabama side of the property, along with a High Limit Room. A Players Club rewards your play with points that can be exchanged for cash, free play, food, or other gifts.
Pensacola visitors will find plenty of action on the casino floor plus regular promotions that include drawings, giveaways, special events, and much more.
Perdido Beach Resort Casino
Also part of the OACIA (Orange Beach Indian Community of Alabama) Palm Beach Casino Resort complex, the Perdido Beach Resort Casino is connected by climate-controlled skywalks to the hotel and café.
mardi gras casino air supplyPerdido Beach Casino
- 42” Flat Screen TV
- Sitting Area
- Private Bathroom with Bathtub/Shower Combination
- Phone with Private Voice Mail
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Hair Dryer
Perdido Beach Casino has approximately 500 of the latest slot and video poker machines, including penny machines, and video blackjack. Live action takes place at eight blackjack tables, three roulette wheels, one craps table, and one Mega Wheel.
The High Limit Room features your favorite slots with limits from $.50 to $10.00 and up.
Join the Players Club for points, mailers, special events, and much more. Membership is free, and points can be redeemed for cash, free play, food, drinks, merchandise, or discounted hotel stays.
The casino also offers keno (with 1-20 minute picks and digital and printed tickets available) and self-serve kiosks where you can buy lottery tickets, print boards, make account deposits and withdrawals, redeem coupons, sign up for Players Club, and more.
Perdido Beach Casino is a Florida casino in everything but name and address. It sits on Alabama land within view of Florida’s Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. Most of the casino and all of the hotel rooms are in Florida, and all of the revenue generated goes into the Florida Economy. So consider it a technicality when they stamp your driver’s license with an Alabama entry/exit stamp.
Gambling in Pensacola, FL
So, are there casinos in Pensacola, Florida? Not exactly, but the four venues listed above provide great alternatives.
All are within 30 minutes of downtown Pensacola, three of them even closer. And if you prefer Las Vegas-style gambling (slots, video poker, table games, poker, racebook, sportsbook), you’ll have to make the drive. But there are plenty of quality facilities within a couple of hundred miles.
Check out these great South Alabama and Mississippi casinos.
- All American Guide Service
- Gulf Breeze Zoo
- National Museum of Naval Aviation
- Pensacola Lighthouse
- Quietwater Beach
- Fort Morgan Historic Site
- Johnson’s Boulevard Flea Market
And if you don’t gamble, you’ll still find plenty to do in and around Pensacola. Check out TripAdvisor’s list of the top twenty attractions in the area.
J.W. Paine is one of the more than 500 contributors to GamblingSites.com and has been part of our team since 2013. He is an expert in nearly all forms of betting, but his passion is poker.
When he's not writing about the game, he's playing it or watching Leatherman "Leather" Schneider lead him deeper and deeper into the Poker Swamp Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Casinos in this area are known for their selection of slot machines. .
