While most Las Vegas casinos have raised minimums and worsened odds since 2020, a small cluster of properties along Flamingo Road is moving in the opposite direction.
Three west off-Strip casinos are leading the way
Three casinos just across I-15 from the Las Vegas Strip currently offer the best value for players: Palms, Rio, and Gold Coast. It is no coincidence that Palms and Rio were the only two casinos out of 63 in our recent study to offer lower average minimum bets today than in 2020.
Palms
It all started with Palms rolling out $5 3:2 blackjack 24/7 in early 2025. The casino then started dealing $5 craps. After that, maximum craps odds increased from 3-4-5 times to 10 times. The baccarat business has grown noticeably during this time.
Palms also has some unique offerings for the area. It has the only buffet and is the only off-Strip casino that deals 3:2 double-deck blackjack that stands on soft 17. It has a $100 minimum.
Rio
Rio was next to start offering a better value than before. It had a major hole to dig out of after years of neglect under previous ownership. Rio went from one of the weakest gambling properties in Las Vegas to one of the strongest virtually overnight.
Nearly all video poker paytables were upgraded in 2025. This brought 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%), full-pay Bonus Deuces Wild (99.45%), 9/7 Double Aces and Faces (99.24%), and several other 99% video poker games to dozens of floor and bartop machines. The upgrade also improved video poker variants, making Rio one of the best Las Vegas casinos for games like Ultimate X, Spin Poker, 3/5/10 Play, and Major Multipliers.
Rio also improved its baccarat player experience by converting the old high-limit table game room into a room mostly dedicated to baccarat. Loyal players have their initials on the table and participate in unique promotions. This helped Rio build a respectable baccarat business from almost nothing. Rio also introduced $3 craps in 2025. It is available 3am to 3pm daily.
Rio was often a ghost town before these changes. Today, it is noticeably busier.
Gold Coast
Gold Coast always offered the best value in the area. It matched some of the changes at Palms and Rio. It first made video poker upgrades, including adding 9/6 Jacks or Better at $0.50 and higher denominations to bartops. Quarter and higher 9/6 Jacks or Better was added to more floor machines. An additional bank of “Up to 99.8%” machines also appeared.
Gold Coast also now deals $5 craps 24/7. The casino already dealt $5 double zero roulette. It has also maintained a strong baccarat and blackjack business. It is the only casino out of the three that deals 3:2 double-deck blackjack in its pit. The minimum usually starts at $15.
Gold Coast is owned by Boyd Gaming, which also owns The Orleans on West Tropicana. The Orleans has always offered players good value.
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East Flamingo also offers good value
Heading east of the Strip on East Flamingo Road will also help players find good gambling value. These are mostly small neighborhood casinos, as opposed to major resorts like the ones on West Flamingo. Several of these casinos have the same minimum bets as they did in 2020, according to Vegas Advantage’s Las Vegas Table Game historical data.
Ellis Island is on Koval Lane just south of Flamingo Road. It deals $5 3:2 blackjack and $5 craps with up to 10 times odds. It also has three $5 poker pit games. Ellis Island offers drink and food specials.
Tuscany is on East Flamingo Road between Koval Lane and Paradise Road. It has $5 3:2 blackjack and other $5 table games. Tuscany also has food and drink specials.
Silver Sevens at East Flamingo Road and Paradise Road recently brought live table games back. It now deals $5 3:2 blackjack. Silver Sevens also has $3 Roll to Win Craps, a hybrid live dealer dice game.
Virgin is also a competitive casino in the area. It is at Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road. Virgin deals $10 3:2 six-deck blackjack with re-split aces up to four hands. It also has $10 3:2 Free Bet Blackjack.
Oyo is on Tropicana Avenue just east of the Las Vegas Strip. It deals $5 3:2 blackjack.
Support casinos willing to give players great value
Casinos offer deals like the ones discussed above to attract value-conscious players. Giving action to these casinos is a way to keep these great games and encourage other casinos to join the value game. All these casinos are just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. It is a cheap cab or rideshare away, and savings from the lower minimums and better rules more than make up for the fare.
