Casinos are a big deal in American culture—and even world culture today—and have been for quite some time. In the early 1900s, most gaming venues were mere humble saloons and broken-down houses where gamblers went to play cards and basic slot machines.

Over the years, emphasis was put on lavishness, and today’s casinos are true modern marvels, offering up luxurious resorts, fine cuisine, and exquisite scenery and, of course, the best gambling you can hope for.

One of Nevada’s premier casinos doesn’t find its home in Las Vegas. Harrah’s in South Lake Tahoe is an abundant monument to lavish excess that millions of people have stayed and played in. This 540-room high-rise hotel and casino has a pristine setting.

Although it’s situated in the “casino strip,” the lakefront placement between the border and the Heavenly Valley ski area makes Harrah’s pop against the backdrop of the illustrious mountain range and a clear, blue sky.

For the parched traveler looking to quench their thirst for luxury with a stay in a world-class casino resort, Harrah’s offers up the over-indulgence with room to spare. The casino-resort is home to several restaurants, a shopping mall, various entertainment venues, and a world-class health club and spa among other attractions.

Lake Tahoe has long been a tourist attraction due to its pure beauty—if nothing else—and visitors from far and wide make the trek to this prime location to take part in everything from sightseeing to skiing. Harrah’s adds another dimension to this already-flush deck of entertainment with their big, Vegas-style casino.

Even the best blackjack casino you’ll find online doesn’t compare to being on-location and actually soaking up the ambiance. Tahoe offers a lot to its numerous tourists, but Harrah’s adds an entire new way to spend your scenic vacation in style.

Playing poker online has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the large amounts of cash that can be won over the Internet.

However, live poker is definitely still popular – especially around Lake Tahoe, where several luxurious area resorts are constantly holding big poker games.

Harveys’ poker room opens as early as 9:00 am in the morning which is perfect for those who want to take advantage of the fitness center, night club, and fine dining also offered here.

Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa is yet another is another great place to play poker and, just like Harveys, there is plenty to do here after the game.

One more exceptional place to check out is the Poker Room at Lakeside Inn since it has a large area dedicated to poker.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe offers noteworthy restaurants, top name entertainment and the best of Broadway. Innovative theme parties are their specialty (18,000 sq. ft. Special Events Center). Glass dome covered pool.

Harrah’s is a great Lake Tahoe casino experience and home to the most exciting 24-hour casino action, entertainment and nightlife!

Since the acquisition of Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel and Casino in July 2001, the new combined casino hotel operation is now bigger and better than ever.

Due to the tireless effort of Harrah’s, this dedication to excellence has earned Harrah’s Lake Tahoe many of the hotel industry’s most prestigious honors and set the standards by which other hotel casinos are measured.

A timeless creation, the 18-story, 510-room hotel at Harrah’s reflects the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Its forest-coloredexterior blends with the surrounding mountain peaks.

Inside, the hotel lobby features an atmosphere complete with a variety of natural textures and wood accents. Just off the hotel lobby at Harrah’s is Starbucks, along with newly remodeled retail shops that offer sporting goods, men’s and women’s clothing, high-end jewelry, and everyday necessities for travelers.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe offers a wide variety of dining choices with seven restaurants serving everything from gourmet to buffet and delicatessen to contemporary American favorites, including: Gi Fu Lo, The Summit, Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill and The Forest Buffet.

There’s also a new a food court that includes the nationally famous chains Fat Burger, LA Italian Kitchen, and Manchu Wok.

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
15 US Highway 50
Stateline, NV 89449
775-588-6606
800/HARRAHS

The Lake Tahoe Horizon hotel was formerly known as the Sahara Tahoe and High Sierra Resorts.

With world class entertainment, free live music and dancing, and eight first run movie theaters, the Horizon offers the most exciting and complete entertainment experience at the Lake.

Three great restaurants allow you to choose from buffet to gourmet, all at an affordable price. Nonstop entertainment, on over 43,000 sq. ft. of gaming space. 25,000 sq. ft. of convention, meeting and Lake Tahoe banquet facilities.

The upper floors of the two towers naturally open onto the best views of the Sierra mountains and scenic Lake Tahoe.

Elvis Presley performed at the hotel from 1971-1976, and his suite is still available for guests to book.

Lake Tahoe Horizon
50 US Highway 50
Lake Tahoe, NV 89449
775-588-6211
800-322-7723

MontBleu sits on a total of 21 acres and is set to create a new standard of luxury in Lake Tahoe, the 17-story MontBleu has 440 spacious rooms and suites featuring breathtaking views of the tranquil shores of Lake Tahoe and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa creates a new level of style and sophistication in South Shore and features a superstar lineup of entertainers. Patty LaBelle, Huey Lewis, Wynonna and Crosby, Stills & Nash appear often. Montbleu features the popular blu nightclub.

Located a mere two blocks from the Heavenly Ski Resort and Lake Tahoe, the MontBleu Resort Casino features its own health spa and popular casino, right across from the Edgewood Golf Course.

Ideal for those looking for a fun-packed holiday – whether it be on the greens or the slopes – the hotel also offers guests a lagoon-style indoor swimming pool, in-house restaurants, a lounge, a theatre, and nightclubs.

Rooms and suites range from 424 sq. ft. to 1,250 sq. ft. All MontBleu rooms and suites feature the luxurious ‘Bleu Could Bed,’ wireless Internet access and a complete set of premier toiletries by Aveda.

MontBleu features 40,000 square feet of gaming space, including more than 900 slot machines and 50 table games including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and a variety of other popular games.

MontBleu recently opened a brand new poker room offering eight tables of the popular Texas Hold ‘Em at various buy-in levels. The newly remodeled race and sports book ‘The Zone’ features 40 large-screen TVs, projection screens and plasmas showcasing the day’s hottest action.

The Tahoe Biltmore Lodge And Casino Is A Full Service Hotel Casino Located In Crystal Bay, Nevada In Beautiful Lake Tahoe. The Hotel Is Conveniently Located One Hour From The Reno Nevada Airport.

You’re Sure To Find The Tahoe Biltmore A Fun And Affordable Place To Stay And Play. Known For Its Friendly Dealers And State-of-the-art Slot Machines, The Tahoe Biltmore Is Truly A Full – Service Casino Offering Both Traditional And Boutique Table Games Including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, And Bonus 21 . Visit The Exciting Nickel City Where You’ll Be Able To Play The Latest Slots Including Such Popular Games As Little Green Men , Triple, Five, Ten, And Fifty Play Video Poker. Brand New Games Include Nickel Wheel Of Gold , Regis’s Cash Club And Hollywood Squares.

The Hotel Is Lake Tahoe’s Best Lodging Value. Conveniently Located In Crystal Bay, Nevada Just Moments Away From All Of North Lake Tahoe’s Ski Resorts, Beaches, Golf Courses, And Hiking/Biking Trails. Amenities Include Hair Dryers, Cable Tv With Hbo, Room Service In Both The Hotel And Motor Lodge Rooms, Ski Shuttle Service, A Year-round Outdoor Spa And Swimming Pool (Summer Only). The Hotel Offers Onsite Dining And Entertainment And Is Convenient To Shopping Venues.

Compared to the other major casinos at Lake Tahoe, Bill’s Casino is a lot less hectic, a lot more laid-back. Bill’s Casino is part of the Harrah’s group, and named after Bill Harrah himself.

Bill´s Casino is a party island — your best bet for fun, casual alternative gaming, dining, entertainment and more. Bill´s offers a helpful, friendly staff dedicated to bringing you a great time, every time!

They´re right next to Harrah´s Lake Tahoe – but really worlds apart. Bill´s Entertainment and Promotions includes the ever-popular Williams Back Door Blues Club. The Road House at Bill´s offers a variety of food and drink specials, including the famous “Biggest Steak at the Lake.”

There have been different factors, but this time, the changes hitting Lake Tahoe are being driven by fierce competition from the collective group of Northern California’s Indian casinos.

It’s no secret that the Tahoe casinos here are struggling. One of the bigger ones, the Horizon Casino Resort, is talking about possibly closing in three years. That’s adding fuel to a redevelopment movement that’s changing the face of Tahoe tourism.

The new Tahoe relies less on gamblers, “day trippers” and budget-motel travelers. Taking their place: fewer but more affluent visitors seeking outdoor recreation and atmosphere and staying in time shares, second homes and upper-end hotels and condos.

The first major redevelopment took place six years ago with the opening of Heavenly Village, the upscale lodging-residential-retail complex at the base of the Heavenly gondola in South Lake Tahoe. The next big piece is the Chateau at Heavenly Village, a $400 million convention center and condo-hotel under construction on the other side of Highway 50.

But the road to a new Tahoe isn’t always smooth. Construction of the Chateau has been stalled since Christmas by the credit crunch, a reminder of how outside forces can intrude on this mountain paradise. Meanwhile, the weak economy and high gas prices are creating anxiety about the summer season as Tahoe tries to recover from last year’s destructive wildfire.

“I know that everybody’s kind of scared right now,” said Camden Collins, South Lake Tahoe’s economic development coordinator.

Tahoe still has plenty going for it, including a one-of-a-kind setting. Users of online travel site TripAdvisor recently declared Tahoe the nation’s top travel destination.

But the changes underfoot leave some uneasy.

An image facelift

Overnight stays at hotels and motels have fallen 16 percent in the past decade, according to the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. That’s been partly offset by increased occupancy of time shares and vacation homes. But many here are troubled by the number of older motels and other businesses that have closed or been torn down for redevelopment.

“They’re trying to change the image of Tahoe,” said Cheryl Horner, manager of the Red Hut Cafe, a fixture in South Lake Tahoe since 1959. “They’ve tried to make it more high-end, and I think it’s hurt some of the small businesses. … Everywhere I go, I see another business going out.”

Business leaders say change is necessary. “We really need to push, to upgrade,” said Jerry Bindel, president of the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association. “We’ve rested on the laurels of, ‘Come on up to Tahoe, no matter what.’ ”

Ralf Garrison, a Denver consultant, said Tahoe is morphing from a traditional weekend getaway to a place where the wealthy own second homes or go to retire. “Tahoe is the poster kid for what is going on at many destination mountain resort communities,” he said.

Accelerating the movement is California’s decision in 2000 to permit Vegas-style tribal gambling. While Lincoln’s Thunder Valley and other Indian casinos have boomed, Tahoe gambling revenue has stagnated. Red Hawk, a tribal casino opening this fall on Highway 50 in Shingle Springs, won’t likely help.

One casino’s struggle

The Horizon, one of the south shore’s major casinos, might even fold its hand.

Tired of trying to compete with the Indian tribes, the casino’s landlord said last month it will consider converting it into a residential-retail site in three years. That’s when the landlord, Park Cattle Co., will take control of the property after settling a lawsuit against the Horizon’s parent, Tropicana Entertainment LLC.

Park Cattle sued Tropicana for allegedly letting the Horizon slide into “general filth and decay.” As part of the settlement, Tropicana also agreed to pay $165 million in damages.

Park Cattle’s tentative plans for the Horizon have caused a stir. Gambling has helped define the south shore since the first big casino, Harveys, opened in 1944 as the Wagon Wheel. In its glory days, the Horizon, then known as the Sahara Tahoe, hosted big names including Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and Liberace.  Full article: Dale Kasler – Sac Bee

For those unfamiliar with the term “win”. The $1.06 billion win was the amount left in the casino coffers, after gamblers wagered $12.7 billion during January, including $10.2 billion in slot machine bets and the balance on table games.  Full article

The 60-year-old homemaker was visiting Lake Tahoe with her husband.
“It’s almost as if I felt the Wheel of Fortune machine wink at me,” she said. “I heard one click, then another, and then I heard music. I realized I had hit the progressive jackpot and all I could think of was finding my husband to share the exciting moment.”

The win will enable the couple to fulfill a lifelong dream, Kurth said.
“My husband is planning to retire soon, and it’s been our dream to build a retirement home in Colorado,” Kurth said. “He’s been telling me that my dream home would cost millions. Winning this jackpot will make our dreams come true.”