Planning an event at a casino is anything but a gamble. With plenty of meeting space, dining and entertainment to offer attendees, casinos are impressive and distinctive venues for many meetings and events. Their combination of luxury accommodations and exciting amenities make them the perfect places for both work and play.
These five casino resorts have undergone multimillion dollar renovations to give their facilities impressive makeovers. Each facility’s chic décor, brand new dining options and upgraded gaming rooms are sure to elevate the experience even further for attendees and planners alike.
Yaamava’ Resort and Casino
Highland, California
What was once the San Manuel Casino in Highland, California, has now been expanded and rebranded to become Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel, named for the Serrano word for spring to signify its transformation and growth.
Located just an hour south of Los Angeles, this 17-story hotel reopened in late 2021 after a $760 million renovation and is packed with opportunities for recreation and leisure. Decorated with warm earth tones and modern finishes throughout, its luxurious guest rooms, posh pool deck and intimate meeting rooms make this casino resort an excellent destination for small to midsized meetings, retreats and gatherings. However, the expansive options for gaming and entertainment are what set it apart; it features over 7,000 slot machines, 150 table games, five high-limit rooms and a 3,000-seat arena that hosts live entertainment every week.
The resort has two meeting rooms that can seat from 25-88 attendees theater-style. Events can also be hosted outside on the resort’s 8,000-square-foot pool deck. A selection of lounges and restaurants are available for banquets and receptions, such as the Y Lounge, which can seat up to 125 at a banquet. The Pines Modern Steakhouse, one of the resort’s fine dining options, serves as a sophisticated venue for banquets and can seat up to 40 attendees.
Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino
Chandler, Arizona
Located on the Gila River Indian Reservation just south of Phoenix, the Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino revealed its updated interior and new amenities at the beginning of 2022. The $180 million renovation and expansion incorporated plenty of extra space with a new tower that added 205 guest rooms overlooking the surrounding desert. Other additions include the rooftop restaurant Prime Shula’s Steakhouse, which turns into a cocktail lounge in the evening, and two new pools. Cosmetic details such as the lobby’s towering bucking horse sculpture, art from the Gila River Indian Community and a new chandelier add to the resort’s luxurious aesthetic. On the casino side, the renovation also included improvements to the high-limit salon, in addition to its table games and slot machines.
The resort has two elegantly furnished ballrooms, one of which has automobile access, for a combined 20,000 square feet. It also features a showroom with a stage and theater seating for up to 1,400 attendees. Other prominent spaces include the resort’s four breakout rooms, its patio and a 7,000-square-foot lawn. The resort’s full catering menu offers a range of options, from reception-style hors d’oeuvres to breakfast buffets to plated dinners. Other amenities that set Wild Horse Pass apart are its complimentary parking and its lack of a resort fee.
“We have a little bit of everything here,” said Daniela Vizcarra, public relations manager at Gila River’s Wild Horse Pass. “You can have the professional space, but there are lots of things to do for fun as well.”
Ocean Casino Resort
Atlantic City, New Jersey
With views of the Atlantic Ocean and its striking architecture, Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is an upscale choice of venue for an East Coast meeting. The resort features 20 beachfront acres, a reflective glass exterior and sophisticated, contemporary furnishings that combine to make it a chic, glamorous backdrop to any event.
The massive property recently unveiled $85 million worth of developments, including the addition of 460 rooms and suites, a bar and lounge, and additional retail and dining options. An award-winning 40,000-square-foot spa allows attendees to relax during their downtime, while the 1,700-plus slot machines and 122 gaming tables ensure there’s no shortage of fun after hours.
The resort features an impressive 160,000 square feet of space for any event, from small retreats to international conferences or trade shows. The resort’s 20 think tanks and boardrooms, each equipped with audiovisual equipment, are perfect for breakout sessions and board meetings. The 70,000-square-foot Ovation Hall and Conference Center spans one level, has 30,000 square feet of columnless space and can seat up to 80,000 attendees theater-style. Additionally, there are 90,000 square feet of outdoor space are available, from parks to pool decks, for a relaxed event setting with gorgeous ocean views.
Potawatomi Hotel and Casino
Milwaukee
The Potawatomi Hotel and Casino is the largest casino in Wisconsin and is just minutes from downtown Milwaukee, making it a great choice for Midwestern meetings and events. The property is currently undergoing a $100 million renovation to its third floor to modernize the gaming space, create a VIP lounge and add Rock and Brews, a restaurant founded by KISS band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The casino features more than 2,500 slot machines, 36 table games and a 500-seat theater that frequently features live entertainment.
“We have space to accommodate any planner’s needs, from a board meeting to a trade show,” said Ryan Amundson, public relations manager at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.
The property offers 60,000 square feet of meeting space total, including one of Milwaukee’s biggest venues, an event center with 24,000 usable square feet that can seat up to 1,200 banquet-style. This versatile space is furnished with red curtains and a massive chandelier. It serves as a chic backdrop for everything from large conferences to expos.
The Legacy Ballroom can seat 630 for a banquet or be sectioned off. Seven additional meeting rooms in the hotel offer sweeping views of downtown Milwaukee, audiovisual equipment and classroom seating for 40-143 attendees.
Gold Strike Casino Resort
Tunica, Mississippi
Situated on the border of Mississippi and Arkansas, Gold Strike Casino Resort can provide both relaxation and excitement to attendees in the Southeastern market. Known for amenities like its dining and its spa, the resort boasts some exciting upgrades for guests to enjoy.
The recent renovation at Gold Strike Casino Resort elevated the casino experience for all visitors with a $4 million makeover that added a new high limit gaming room. This 7,000-square-foot room comes with a VIP lounge and cocktail service, in addition to its slot machines and table games. Attendees have their choice of five restaurants and endless after-hours entertainment at the resort. The new and improved Spa at Gold Strike offers plenty of stress-relieving services for attendees to enjoy in their downtime, along with a heated pool and fitness center.
The Live Oak Ballroom can seat up to 700 for a reception or up to 600 banquet-style. The resort also features a theater seating over 750 and four additional meeting rooms that can accommodate groups ranging from 15 to 100 people. The resort also provides for every catering need and a range of tastes for every meal. Themed buffet dinners range from creole classics to Southern comfort food to Caribbean cuisine.
