Casino Day Trips From Houston
All of the recommended casinos here are legitimate sites that keep players safe. They respect gambling rules and age restrictions, offering an excellent real money gaming Casino Day Trips From Houston experience in a secure environment dedicated to players' welfare and security online. The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel lies in Eagle Pass near the Mexican Border, 143 miles west of San Antonio. Ride the casino's express bus from the big city or from other destinations in the state that include Corpus Christi, Austin, Laredo and points in South Texas.
It wasn’t the most auspicious start for the Jacks or Better Casino boat.On April 15, only a week after its very first jaunt, the 155-foot yacht—which, conditions permitting, takes daily trips out of Galveston and into federal waters, where gambling is legal—scraped against a marker, causing an estimated $40,000 in cosmetic damage and knocking the ship out of commission for weeks.
We took a ride on the Jacks on May 5, the day it resumed operations. Captain Dave Kendrick, who’s been a licensed captain since 1997, gave us a tour of the bridge, the room from which he steers the ship.
“I was the captain during the accident,” he said, addressing the incident in his matter-of-fact manner. “It’s the first time that has ever happened in my career. We were coming in at 11:20 p.m., and I lost sight and confused the markers. When I figured out what was happening, it was too late…. There’s no good excuse for it, but things happen, and I’m thankful nobody got hurt.”
The incident certainly didn’t deter 60 passengers from paying $15 a pop to board the sleek vessel the day we went out. They resembled your typical casino crowd, which is to say most were Baby Boomers or older, many were wearing Crocs, and more smoked cigarettes than didn’t.
We wandered up to the top deck of the boat from the bridge. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The ship glided past shrimp boats casting their nets and container ships heading to port. Seagulls and pelicans followed in our wake, hoping to catch an early lunch.
Although it was a beautiful scene, few were taking it in. Instead, they were inside, having already claimed their seats on the mostly windowless gambling floors, ready to play.
Many people are traveling to Louisiana to gamble. Why not keep that money in Texas?
Each trip the Jacks takes out into the Gulf of Mexico lasts seven hours—an hour and a half each nine-mile trip into federal waters, plus four hours of gambling—and the best days to go out, particularly for the seasickness-prone, are when the water’s nice and calm. The ship offers two floors of colorful Vegas-style slot machines and card tables where up to 150 passengers can play games like blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat (pending Coast Guard approval, the capacity could jump to 300).
“I’m excited to try this,” one woman also enjoying the view, Kim Walden, told us. Walden owns a beach home in Galveston and, she confessed, loves gambling. She and her husband not only frequent commercial cruise lines (which all have casinos), but regularly travel to Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas’s Native American reservations. She was excited, she said, to try something closer to home. “It’s nice that finally we have something practically in our backyard.”
Largely due to antiquated Bible Belt politics, gambling in Texas is illegal, with the exceptions of the lottery, horse and greyhound racing, reservation casinos, and casino boats like the Jacks or Better, which offer single-day gambling trips without having to meet the old requirement of first calling on a foreign port. These boats have served towns along the state’s coast, including Galveston, ever since being legalized in 1989, but before the Jacks’ arrival, the Oleander City had done without for a couple of years.
We wandered inside, and, finally, the moment arrived. The captain announced we were in federal waters and that tables were open. Immediately, a symphony of dings, pings and slot-machine tunes filled the air.
As we watched the action, we thought of a point Henry had made while we chatted inside the bridge. “Many people are traveling to Louisiana to gamble,” he’d said. “Why not keep that money in Texas?”
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Coconut Creek - $35
LEVEL2 NOW OFFERING PREMIUM SMOKE-FREE SLOTS & TABLE GAMES
Every Tuesday & Thursday Includes $15 Free Play, Round trip Motor Coach Transportation. Just an elevator ride away, LEVEL 2 features over 100 Las Vegas-style slots, live blackjack and more in an elevated smoke-free environment. Sip and savor at the exclusive smoke-free lounge serving premium wine and champagne, specialty cocktails and drafts, select cognacs and small batch spirits. Now featuring virtual Roulette and Craps.
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Isle of Capri Casino - $35
Every Tuesday & Thursday $20 Free Play & $4 toward buffet, Round trip Motor Coach Transportation. FARRADDAYS STEAKHOUSE - NOW OPEN ALL 7 DAYS! LIVE Racing Returns In October. Download The Racing Schedule Here.
Download The Shuttle Schedule Register By Phone 772-569-2845
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Gulfstream Racetrack & Casino - $35
2nd Wendesday of live racing months - December - March Casino open year round
$10 Slot Play $5 Food Voucher and round trip motor coach transportation.
Coupon and free play based on points earned. Incentives are subject to change at the discretion of the casino without prior notice. Groups of 35 or more who would like a special pickup at their location may call Magic Carpet Ride at 772-569-2845 to make arrangements.
Download The Shuttle Schedule Register By Phone 772-569-2845
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Hard Rock Hollywood - $35
Customized tours to Seminole Hollywood Hard Rock Casino can be arranged for your group or organization. Minimum of 40 riders required. No incentives other than points based on individual's play.
Atlantic City Casino Day Trips
Casino Day Trips From Houston
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