The landscape of college sports has never felt more like the Wild West. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, rapid-fire coach and player transfers, and massive television dollars have turned what was once a structured amateur ecosystem into a high-stakes free-for -all.
As we head deeper into 2026, it’s clear the changes are profound—and not all for the better.
We’re thrilled to present the winners of the 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, celebrating the casino properties that truly impressed players across the region. From world-class resorts to standout local favorites, these honors reflect the voices of you—the dedicated gamers—and our team at Gaming and Destinations.
Each year, these awards spotlight the best in gaming across multiple regions and categories, helping readers discover new destinations, compare experiences, and plan their next casino getaway with confidence.
Thank you to everyone who voted and shared their insights. We hope this year’s results inspire your next adventure—and maybe even add a few new casinos to your favorites list.
(Check out the awards from each region below.)
Every January brings the same familiar promises—hit the gym more often, eat fewer carbs, reclaim the inbox. But for serious casino and racetrack enthusiasts, the start of a new year also offers something far more valuable: an opportunity to reassess your approach to gambling and fine-tune the habits that keep your bankroll healthy and your edge sharp.
Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana in Bossier City has a over 1,000 slot machines, 40+ live-action table games, a sportsbook plus 550-room hotel, four restaurants, five bars and lounges and a resort-style pool.
For decades, Las Vegas has stood as the unrivaled capital of American gaming — a dazzling hub of entertainment, hospitality, and iconic casino culture.
And while the city continues to draw millions each year, recent tourism data reveals softening trends that may influence how players plan their future gaming trips.
Blackjack is often called the “thinking player’s game,” and one of the most powerful tools you have at the table is the ability to split your cards. Done correctly, splitting can turn a mediocre hand into two strong ones—or even tilt the odds slightly in your favor. Done poorly, however, it can drain your chips faster than you expect. Knowing when to split, and just as importantly when not to, is the key to getting the most out of this move.
Let’s walk through the best strategies for splitting cards in blackjack and the reasoning behind them.
As the chill of Winter sets in, the excitement in the sports and gambling worlds heats up. For gamblers across the South and Midwest, November offers some of the most compelling opportunities to combine the thrill of the game with savvy betting strategies and smart casino travel. Whether you’re hitting the sportsbooks for NFL and college football or planning a weekend getaway to a nearby casino resort, there’s plenty to keep your action-packed calendar full.
