March Casino of the Month: Hollywood Casino Tunica
Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River in Tunica, Mississippi, Hollywood Casino Tunica shines as this month’s Casino Spotlight. With its glamorous Hollywood theme, this iconic destination blends classic Tinseltown flair with Southern hospitality, making it a must-visit for both seasoned gamblers and casual visitors.
Opened in 1994 as one of Tunica’s pioneering casinos, it has evolved into a premier gaming hub, boasting over 35,000 square feet of action-packed floor space.
2025 Readers’ Choice Awards Results – Top Casinos Revealed!
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.)
Gulf Coast Tunica Mid-South Louisiana Missouri
S. Indiana N. Indiana Iowa Michigan Minnesota Wisconsin
Out With the Old, Triple Crown Racetrack Renovations
There is an age-old adage that goes, “The only constant is change.” Well friends, whether we like it or not, this archaic saying rings true even inside the staunchly traditional realm of thoroughbred horse racing. In fact, I can even emphatically attest that the “Sport of Kings” has a far different complexion compared to when I placed my first wager three decades ago. Moreover, there is a modern movement to renovate and even, in some cases, completely redesign the three storied cathedrals which host thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown Series (i.e., Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park).
Beau Rivage Rocks New Stay Well Rooms and Lounge
(Biloxi, Mississippi) Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, in partnership with wellness real estate and technology company Delos, recently debuted its Stay Well rooms and welcome lounge. Integrating Delos’ scientifically validated in-room features and programming designed to enhance physical, mental and social well-being, Stay Well rooms help minimize the impact travel has on the human body and optimize the guest experience.
“Beau Rivage is proud to introduce the Stay Well concept, fulfilling the requests of numerous guests as well as the desires of the rapidly growing health and wellness travel market,” said MGM Southeast President & COO Travis Lunn. “MGM Resorts was the initial adopter of the Stay Well concept in Las Vegas, and now our guests in Coastal Mississippi can enjoy all we have to offer without sacrificing their commitment to healthy living.”
Property Spotlight: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – Hot Springs, Arkansas
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is the #1 attraction in the state and has been one of the top Thoroughbred racing tracks in the country since 1904. After a major renovation and the addition of a full Vegas-style casino and resort, including a luxurious hotel, spa, and event center, guests are raving about ‘The New Oaklawn.’
“We have taken luxury to a whole new level in Arkansas,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “It will enhance the entertainment experience at Oaklawn, in Hot Springs, and throughout Arkansas, which will further elevate our status as a leading tourism and recreation destination.”
The Hotel at Oaklawn features eight stories with 198 rooms and suites. Each room offers luxurious amenities with great views of the surrounding Hot Springs area or trackside rooms that offer guests the option to watch the top-quality Thoroughbred racing from the comfort of their rooms.
Property Profile: Rhythm City Casino Resort – Davenport, Iowa
While casinos are primarily known for great gaming, there is no doubt that the amenities and offerings that surround the gaming are just as much of an attraction as the games themselves. Realizing this, casino properties have upped their game with features like spas, fine dining and other luxuries that will keep customers happy and coming back. Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Iowa is a preferred property of Midwest Gaming and offers the highest level of quality and luxury that any gaming enthusiast would love.
Whether it’s the sleek, classy hotel rooms or the delicious food at Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood, Rhythm City Casino Resort has something for everyone.
Property Profile: Ameristar Casino Hotel – Vicksburg, Mississippi
If you ever want to visit one of the greatest attractions in all of Mississippi, look no further than the Ameristar Casino Hotel in historic Vicksburg. It’s the largest riverboat casino in Mississippi, and according to Ameristar’s website, also ‘the most exciting’. It’s the premier destination for sports betting in Central Mississippi, with the amount of betting options the casino offers. The casino features over 1200 slot machines and video poker games, 27 table games, and even has its own poker room that’s the only one in all of Vicksburg. The Ameristar Casino offers a great mix of hospitality, excitement, and relaxation, and they’re happy to provide it to all of their customers.
Opening in 1994, the huge casino boasts 148 hotel rooms, over 70,000 square feet of gaming space on the property, and a variety of other options available for guests, like a nice list of dining options and the availability of sports betting. The company was purchased by Penn National Gaming in 2018, but celebrates operating for over 26 years as Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg.
Visit Coastal Mississippi: Something for Everyone
Coastal Mississippi is one of the best kept secrets in the South and has grown into a premier casino destination as well. The area boasts great gambling, beautiful beaches, restaurants and so much more. The stretch that runs from Moss Point to Waveland features twelve casinos, a buzzing beach scene and a plethora of restaurants located beach front or directly across the street.
We are excited to provide you with an overview of the area, as well as a few recommendations. For a full list of recommendations, offerings and more, visit CoastalMississippi.com.
Property Spotlight: Rhythm City Casino Resort: Davenport, Iowa
Rhythm City Casino Resort is a mix of the best parts of hospitality. Reopening the land-based operations in 2016, the resort is located on the eastern border of Iowa in Davenport and has some of the best amenities for guests to enjoy. The resort is primarily owned by the Kehl family, who are known for customer service after a long tenure in the hospitality business.
The Kehl’s got their start in restaurant business the 1960’s with a small café, by the 1970’s they had expanded and started offering dinner cruises and by 1986, they had a 1,000 passenger boat and were filling up the cruises nightly. So, when the talks of expanded gambling on the riverside in Iowa started to get serious, the Kehls were among the first to get in on the new industry.
Top Casino Sports Books and Bars: Gearing Up for the Game
With the Super Bowl kicking off this weekend and March Madness right around the corner, there has never been a better time to be a sports bettor than now. With the expansion of sports books at casinos around the region, and online sports betting more available than ever, the hardest part decision you’ll have is deciding where to watch, and wager! We are excited to give you a quick run down of some of our favorite casinos to watch, and wager, on your next big game. We hope you like our suggestions.
