Sportsbook Spotlight: Where the Game Comes Alive
The Modern Sportsbook Experience: More Than Just a Place to Place a Bet
There was a time when a sportsbook was simply a room with a few betting windows, televisions and odds boards. Today, the best sportsbooks have become entertainment destinations in their own right—bringing together sports fans, casual bettors and seasoned handicappers for an experience that rivals attending the game itself.
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite NFL team on a Sunday afternoon, following March Madness, sweating the final holes of a major golf championship or watching horse racing from around the country, today’s sportsbooks offer an atmosphere that blends excitement, comfort and hospitality.
Property Profile: North Star Mohican Casino Resort – Bowler, Wisconsin
Tucked deep in the towering pines of northern Wisconsin, North Star Mohican Casino Resort delivers a distinctly different casino experience—one shaped as much by its natural surroundings as its gaming floor. Located between Green Bay and Wausau, the property has built a reputation as the “Midwest’s Friendliest Casino,” a tagline that, for many guests, feels less like marketing and more like a mission statement.
Sizzling Summer Gambling Getaways
The summer is upon us and there is nothing better than lounging by the pool on a hot day while thinking about winning big in the casino at night. In this article, we are excited to highlight a few of our favorite gambling getaways where you will find resort-style amenities and hot gambling action to keep you busy. Enjoy!
Property Spotlight: North Star Mohican Casino (Bowler, Wisconsin)
North Star Mohican Casino resort located in Bowler, Wisconsin prides itself on offering a resort experience that is modest in scale but strong in comfort.
The resort features 129 rooms and suites, including king and double-queen, along with a handful of larger suites, as well as other amenities that will fill your gambling getaway to no end.
Hot Summer Casino Getaways: Our Top Picks
The summer is upon us and there is nothing better than lounging by the pool on a hot day while thinking about winning big in the casino at night.
In this article, we are excited to highlight a few of our favorite gambling getaways where you will find resort-style amenities and hot gambling action to keep you busy. Enjoy!
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.
