Casino Near Lake Havasu Az
You're in Lake Havasu City, maybe enjoying the lake or the famous London Bridge, and you get the itch to play some slots or cards. But where do you go? The options aren't endless, and driving to Laughlin or Vegas is a serious trip. Finding a good casino experience close to home, with the right mix of games and atmosphere, is the real challenge for players in this corner of Arizona.
Your Closest Bet: The Havasu Landing Resort & Casino
The most immediate answer for a casino near Lake Havasu, AZ, is just across the California state line on the lake's western shore. Havasu Landing Resort & Casino is operated by the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and is accessible by a 24/7 passenger ferry from Lake Havasu City or by car via a roughly 90-minute drive around the lake. The ferry ride itself is part of the experience, taking about 20 minutes. The casino floor isn't massive, but it packs in over 400 slot machines, including popular titles like Buffalo, Wheel of Fortune, and Lightning Link. You'll also find live blackjack and Three Card Poker tables. The resort side offers a hotel, restaurant, and marina, making it a potential mini-getaway.
What to Know Before You Go
The ferry costs a small fee per person (around $10 round-trip as of last check), and it runs continuously. It's crucial to check their website for current schedules and any weather-related interruptions, especially during monsoon season or high winds. The casino is on California soil, so it follows California gaming regulations. The atmosphere is generally more relaxed and local compared to the giant strip properties, which can be a pro or a con depending on what you're seeking.
The Colorado River Casino Corridor
If you're willing to drive, a world of options opens up along the Colorado River, forming a classic casino corridor. Heading north from Lake Havasu City puts you in the heart of this action within a 1-2 hour drive.
Laughlin, Nevada: The Prime Destination
About an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Lake Havasu, Laughlin is the major gaming hub for the region. It's where you'll find the full-scale casino resort experience. Properties like the Aquarius, the Tropicana, and the Edgewater offer thousands of slots, dozens of table games (craps, roulette, baccarat, multiple blackjack variants), poker rooms, and high-limit areas. The competition between casinos means you can often find better odds on table games, more slot tournaments, and stronger player club benefits than at a smaller, isolated property. The drive is straightforward up Highway 95.
Other Arizona Tribal Options
Venturing east from Lake Havasu, you enter the domain of Arizona's tribal gaming compacts. The closest significant player is the BlueWater Resort & Casino, operated by the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) in Parker, AZ. It's about a 45-minute drive south. This casino features over 500 slots, video poker, and blackjack tables. Further afield, you have options like the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation casinos (Avi Resort & Casino) near Needles, CA, which is roughly an hour's drive west.
Comparing the Casino Experiences
Choosing between Havasu Landing and a Laughlin resort comes down to convenience versus variety. Havasu Landing is your quick fix—you can decide to go on a whim and be playing slots within an hour, ferry ride included. The comps and loyalty rewards are geared toward frequent local visitors. Laughlin requires planning a half-day or full-day trip but rewards you with a vastly larger game selection, more dining choices, headline entertainment, and the buzzing energy of a casino strip. For serious table game players, Laughlin's rules and limits are almost always more favorable.
Gambling Age and Regulations
This is a critical point of confusion. At Havasu Landing and all California tribal casinos, the minimum gambling age is 21. In Laughlin, Nevada, it is also 21. However, at Arizona tribal casinos like BlueWater in Parker, the legal gambling age is 18 for some forms of gaming, including bingo and slot machines, though it's always best to confirm directly with the casino as policies can vary. Always bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses and passports are universally accepted.
Maximizing Your Play: Player Clubs & Comps
Never play at a casino near Lake Havasu, AZ, without signing up for their free players club card. Whether it's the Landing Club at Havasu Landing or the affinity programs at Caesars (for Harrah's Laughlin) or MGM Rewards (for the Avi), these cards track your play and earn you points for slot play and table game action. These points translate into tangible rewards: free play, discounted or comped meals, hotel stays, and even concert tickets. The smaller casinos like Havasu Landing often have more generous comp ratios for local, consistent players. Always ask about new member sign-up bonuses, which often include $10-$20 in free slot play just for joining.
Beyond the Casino Floor
The advantage of the Lake Havasu area is that the casino is rarely the only activity. A trip to Havasu Landing combines boating or a ferry ride with gaming. A drive to Laughlin can include a scenic Colorado River cruise or a hike in the nearby desert. Many of the resorts have pools, spas, and golf courses. Planning a trip around a specific event—a poker tournament at the Aquarius or a concert at the Edgewater—can make the drive more worthwhile.
FAQ
What is the closest casino to Lake Havasu City?
The closest physical casino is the Havasu Landing Resort & Casino, located directly across Lake Havasu on the California side. It's accessible via a 20-minute passenger ferry from Lake Havasu City or about a 90-minute drive around the lake.
Can you gamble at 18 in Lake Havasu Arizona?
No. The immediate casino option, Havasu Landing in California, has a minimum gambling age of 21. The nearest casinos that allow 18-year-olds to gamble on certain games are Arizona tribal casinos, like the BlueWater Resort & Casino in Parker, AZ, which is about a 45-minute drive south. Always check the specific casino's policy before going.
How do you get to Havasu Landing Casino from Lake Havasu City?
You take the Havasu Landing Ferry from the Havasu Landing Ferry Terminal on the Arizona side (located at the end of Mesquite Avenue). The ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You pay a round-trip passenger fare, park your car in the lot on the Arizona side, and walk on. The casino is a short walk from the dock on the California side.
Is there a hotel at Havasu Landing Casino?
Yes, the Havasu Landing Resort includes a hotel with rooms and suites overlooking the lake. They also have an RV park. It's advisable to book in advance, especially on weekends and during major lake events like spring break or holiday weekends.
What table games are available at casinos near Lake Havasu?
Havasu Landing Casino offers live dealer Blackjack and Three Card Poker. For a full selection including Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and multiple blackjack variants, you need to drive to the casinos in Laughlin, Nevada, such as the Aquarius or Tropicana, which offer a complete suite of table games.