San Antonio’s gambling getaway is Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino
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San Antonians who love rolling the dice and having a bit of gambling fun make the most out of road trips to WinStar in Oklahoma and Coushatta in Louisiana. While these out-of-state casino resorts are no doubt a memorable experience, there is a more convenient spot for Central Texas residents to visit when they want to hit the machines and, hopefully, the jackpot.
Rather than spending hours in the car and making numerous pit stops along the way, San Antonio residents have the option to visit Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel. Located roughly two and a half hours away from San Antonio, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is located along the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, making it the most accessible and perhaps cheapest gambling getaway for Alamo City residents.
While gambling is illegal in Texas, the casino is operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, which has less than 1,000 members, and is authorized to do so through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
Though admittedly smaller and less grand than other casino resorts in bordering states, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle has stepped up its game over the years. Upgrades have brought additional dining options to the casino, including an IHOP and a renovated food court called The Marketplace. Also within the casino, you’ll be able to choose between the Red Sky Grill, casual dining with American fare and a respectable drink menu; the Riverbend Cafe, open 24 hours a day for quick snacks, salads, sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more; and Azul, the prime choice for steaks and seafood.
There is also a nightlife scene at the secluded resort. While drinks are always up for grabs at Red Sky Grill and Azul, there are three dedicated bars throughout the grounds. Stop by the Daiquiri Bar, where you can build your perfect drink with all the toppings and take home a souvenir glass. There’s also the Center Bar, which allows you to sip on your libation of choice while playing games at the bar or relaxing on one of the lounge chairs, as well as the High Limit Bar, located right outside the high stakes gambling area. Perhaps you can take a shot for good luck before you head inside.
For a bit of entertainment to pair with your cocktails or beers, visitors can post up at the Que Pasa Lounge. There’s live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights plus karaoke on Sunday nights. You can take a shot for good luck here too before taking the mic.
Keep in mind that, unlike more high-end casinos, boozy drinks are not complementary at Kickapoo Lucky Eagle. While that’s half the fun for some folks, that doesn’t mean you’ll go thirsty without spending a buck here. There are a number of self-serve beverage stations throughout the casino, offering free coffee, iced tea, and a range of Pepsi product soft drinks. Honor your time on the borderland by opting for a cup of Manzanita Sol.
Of course, no trip to Kickapoo Lucky Eagle is complete without spending some time on the machines or table games. There’s been a major overhaul here with older and slower machines being replaced by new, hot machines ranging from one-cent bets to $100 per hit. The machines are brighter than ever with a number of ticket redemption kiosks and ATMs throughout the casino floor. Dedicated spaces like a poker room (where games are held daily), a bingo hall (you can play for free on your birthday), and also tournaments for games like Texas Hold ‘Em (obviously). On top of all that, the casino always has promotions going on, from special giveaways and drawings on select weekends to weekly tournaments and daily discounts.
While we won’t blame you for still wanting to live the luxurious life at a ritzier casino like Coushatta, consider Kickapoo Lucky Eagle a dependable go-to that lets you save gas money that you can put toward the slot machines. Now that’s a win-win, San Antonio.
