We visited all 74 casinos and racinos in the southeastern
states during calendar year 2015. Our
Top Ten listing is again based on our observations, the patrons, food and
beverage areas and service, mood, professional appearance actions of the casino
staff members, and the operations from a patron point of view. Overall, it is
just how did we feel about the place, the excitement factor, the size and
excitement of the crowd factor – were they enjoying their visit, the
entertainment factor, the “will I, and will the other patrons come back here”
factor.
10. L’Auberge, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
In spite of increased competition from the Lake Charles
Region, this complex had another outstanding year with gaming revenues up 19% and
market share up 42% over 2014. The facility’s fabulous architecture and structure
and Mississippi River shore location combine to give it a huge “wow” factor. The
205-story hotel has a top floor open pool area and fitness center overlooking
fabulous sunsets on the Mississippi River. They have a huge gaming area, 5
restaurants and live entertainment in their music bar and at their 1,400 seat
entertainment center, “Live.”
9. Gulfstream Park, Hallandale/Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We featured Gulfstream Park here
last year. This is one of the best thoroughbred racetrack in the United
States coupled with a great little casino.
Each year this one gets better and more exciting. While there are no
table games, the 2-story casino has 850 slots and numerous simulcast areas. The
fabulous paddock and racetrack design is woven into an exceptional and
significant upper-end retail shopping area with more than 20 restaurants and
bars. It’s a great day of south Florida entertainment.
We first featured this facility on our blog in 2014. The complex has been a
winner since its opening in 2013, and last year the success continued with
gaming revenues up 12%. The complex includes a hotel, large spa and gaming
floor housing 1,300 slots and 46 table games all integrating the Margaritaville
theme. Their second floor open-air pool bar area overlooking the Red River with
loads of room for live entertainment. The complex also includes a 900-seat
Performance Hall featuring an outstanding calendar of top named entertainment.
7. Oaklawn Racetrack and Casino, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Oaklawn is new to our Top Ten list, although it has been one
of the premier thoroughbred racetracks in the US since 1904. Located in Hot Springs
National Park, it is best known as the home of the $1 Million Arkansas Derby. Trainers,
jockeys and betters alike know that Oaklawn host a disproportionate number of
champions and horses of the year including one of the greatest 3 year olds to
race at Oaklawn in 2015, Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah. In addition to
this great racetrack facility, Oaklawn houses a casino with a variety of gaming
terminals. The gaming area was expanded by 50% in 2015 and now includes a high
limits area as well as hundreds of new games, live blackjack and poker plus video
poker, roulette and craps. The food services now include the new Silks Bar and
Pop’s Lounge along with several other eating areas and bars. It is a great
place to visit, even better if it’s a race day.
6. The IP Casino Resort and Spa, Biloxi, Mississippi
The IP complex is new to our top ten list. It’s owned and
operated by Boyd Gaming (BYD), one of the top rated U.S. casino and resort
companies. The IP Hotel and Spa is a winner of the AAA Four-Diamond award. The
32-story tower facility has over 1,000 hotel rooms and suites and a roof-top
pool and lounge available to hotel guests. The gaming area houses 1,900 slots,
60+ table games and a 14-table non-smoking poker room. Their restaurants
include two AAA Four-Diamond award winners Thirty-Two with prime steaks and
seafood plus Tien with upscale Asian cuisine. Their Costa Cucina Italian
restaurant has earned the AAA Three-Diamond award. IP also provides a
1,400-seat theater offering regular headline entertainment and 73,000 square
feet of meeting and conference space. We’re pleased to add the IP to our Top
Ten 2015 list.
Next week, we'll reveal our top 5 for 2015, stay tuned!
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