The 6 best Lake Tahoe Casinos to entertain you off the mountain

Lake Tahoe has some amazing outdoor activities year-round. But the lake also straddles California and Nevada, where gambling is legal, so if you’re looking for some indoor entertainment, you can conveniently cross over the state line and head to a number of casinos.

And if you want to make a weekend out of it, the casinos all have hotels with some great amenities, not to mention the Sierra mountains as their backdrop. Here are six of the best Lake Tahoe casinos.

Rating on Booking.com: 6.2 / 10

Why it's great: This casino and hotel on the state line has restaurants, a pool, casino and is ideal for music lovers.

What to know: It’s located on the state line in South Tahoe and is also pet-friendly.

This South Tahoe location of the famous chain has everything you expect from a Hard Rock: rock and roll memorabilia from artists like Elvis located throughout the hotel, contemporary rooms, a pool, and restaurants on-site, including an oyster bar and steakhouse. The 25,000-square-foot casino is an adult playland, complete with a sports book. And in between cashing in your chips, you can check out the hotel’s line-up of live events, including Drag Brunch every Saturday through August.

Reviewers say it has a “great location for nightlife, the room was clean and comfortable, and the staff was friendly and on top of everything.”

Rating on TripAdvisor: 4/5

Why it's great: It’s conveniently located close to Heavenly and has a casino and multiple dining options as well as an entertainment venue inside.

What to know: There are rooms and suites, as well as an indoor pool and spa.

Located right on the state line, and within walking distance to Heavenly Mountain Resort, Harrah’s is hard to miss. The casino has sports betting and all your usual favorites: craps, roulette, blackjack, and poker, as well as over 1,300 slot and video poker machines. There’s a steak and seafood restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a casual cafe, a food court, and a Starbucks all inside for your convenience. The South Shore Room has been hosting musical guests for over 50 years, with artists such as Goose, The Wallflowers, and Little River Band scheduled over the next couple of months. In addition to the full casino, the hotel has an indoor pool, fitness center, and spa to help you unwind after a long day of fun.

Said one reviewer, “The rooms were very roomy and two bathrooms per room are very accommodating. The staff are kind and respectful. The guest relations are very professional. The conveniences outside the hotel are very close distance to wherever you want to go.”

Rating on TripAdvisor: 4/5

Why it's great: It’s located on the state line, close to Heavenly, and has multiple dining options, an outdoor pool, a spa, and an outdoor music venue that’s used in the summer.

What to know: It’s owned by Harrahs, and there are 512 rooms, some with lake views.

Across the street from Harrah’s, you’ll find Harveys (owned by Harrah’s), which boasts a big casino (88,000+ square feet) with 100 table games and 1,200+ slots. Inside, you can eat at a steakhouse, a casual cantina, Cinnabon, Starbucks, or Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen.  Outside,  spend an afternoon lounging in the heated pool or hot tub and enjoy views of the Sierra Mountains or order food from the poolside sports bar. One reviewer said it’s “by far the best place to have fun in South Lake Tahoe and rooms have the best views of Lake Tahoe.”

This summer, guests can be entertained at Harvey's Cabaret with a magic show, or check out the outdoor concert series at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Area with artists including Train, Eric Church, Dave Matthew Band, Keith Urban, and Jack Johnson all scheduled to perform. 

Rating on Booking.com: 7.3 / 10

Why it's great: It’s located near Heavenly and has a casino, restaurants, an indoor pool, and a spa. In the winter, it has ski rentals and storage.

What to know: In addition to the fitness, center, and spa, you can enjoy a number of activities for additional fees, such as horseback riding, fishing, and golf.

Formerly known as Monblue, Bally’s on the state line has a full casino where you can play blackjack, baccarat, and other table games, or dabble in slot machines (everything from penny to $5). When you need to refuel, eat at the steak and chophouse or one of the cafes. There’s also shopping, an Escape Room on site, an indoor pool, and a spa. For nighttime entertainment, there’s a nightclub, or live concerts, comedy shows, and more at the Bally Theater.

The amenities are popular with reviewers, with one guest saying, “I liked the pool area and all the extras this hotel has to offer. As well as the location — we were able to just walk right down to Heavenly square and do some shopping and eat at the restaurants.”

Rating on Booking.com: 8.5 / 10

Why it's great: It’s in a quieter location in Incline Village, but it still has a casino in addition to a waterfront location with a private beach. All the dining options have waterfront views. 

What to know: You can rent rooms, suites, or private lakeside cottages with kitchenettes and fireplaces.

Up in North Tahoe in Incline Village, the Hyatt Regency is located on the waterfront and even has its own private beach. You can opt to stay in one of the spacious rooms, suites, or a waterfront cottage with a kitchenette, fireplace, and patio with views. The casino has over 270 slot machines, a sports book, and all the popular table games. The seven dining options all have waterfront views and include a steak and seafood restaurant, a poolside bar and grill, and Pier 11, a bar suspected over the hotel’s floating pier.

If you need a break from playing the tables, you can spend some time in the outdoor heated pool, book a float therapy session at the spa, or join one of the guided activities on or around the property such as hiking (one reviewer said, “The hiking experiences were amazing - trust me, participate!”), biking, and skiing in the winter. 

Rating on TripAdvisor: 4/5 Border House, 4/5 Crystal Bay Club Casino

Why it's great: For some old-school charm, this casino has been around since 1937. It has a restaurant and two live venues inside.

What to know: You can rent rooms in the adjacent Border House, which is non-smoking.

Another North Shore option, the Crystal Bay Club Casino has been around since 1937 (don’t worry, it’s been since renovated) and includes slots, tables, and a sports book inside the casino. Indulge in some surf and turf at the Steak & Lobster House or enjoy a live show at one of the two on-site venues, the Red Room and the Crown Room. For overnight stays, you can book one of the 10 rooms at the adjacent Border House, and each room includes amenities like fireplaces, eco-friendly toiletries, and chromatherapy tubs.

Said one reviewer, “This is a nice, quaint, eclectic, interesting, FRIENDLY place to stay with staff that went above and beyond for our entire stay!”