Casino near portland
Find the best casinos near Portland, Oregon. Learn about available games, amenities, locations, and directions for your next casino trip in the area.
Portland's Premier Casinos A Guide to Gaming and Entertainment Options
For immediate access to slot machines and table games, head directly to Ilani, located just 25 miles north of Oregon's largest city in Ridgefield, Washington. This establishment boasts a 100,000 square foot gaming floor featuring approximately 2,500 slot machines and 75 live table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. The drive from the downtown area typically takes about 30 minutes without significant traffic, making it the most accessible large-scale gaming destination.
Another prominent option is the Spirit Mountain Lodge, situated about 65 miles southwest of the metropolitan center in Grand Ronde. Its gaming space is expansive, offering over 2,000 video slot machines and a variety of table games. A dedicated poker room with daily tournaments appeals to card players. The journey there from the city center usually lasts around an hour and a half, presenting a scenic drive through Oregon's wine country.
To the east, approximately 45 miles away, is the Chinook Winds Golf Resort in Lincoln City, right on the Pacific coast. It provides a distinct experience with over 1,100 slot machines and table games, plus a 24-hour bingo hall. The coastal setting adds a unique appeal, though the drive can take close to two hours, making it more of a day-trip destination rather than a quick outing.
Your Complete Guide to Casinos Near Portland
Ilani Resort is the closest full-scale gaming destination to the city center, located just 25 miles north in Ridgefield, Washington.This establishment features over 2,500 slot machines and 75 table games. Table minimums typically start at $15 for blackjack and can increase to $25 or more during peak evening hours on weekends. The poker room offers No-Limit Texas Hold'em with blinds usually set at $1/$3 and $2/$5. Expect a drive time of approximately 30-40 minutes from downtown without heavy traffic. The resort also includes 15 different restaurants, bars, and a 2,500-seat entertainment venue.
For a different experience, Spirit Mountain Lodge, situated about 60 miles southwest of the metropolis in Grand Ronde, is Oregon's largest gaming facility. It provides more than 2,000 video slot machines and a variety of table games including craps, roulette, and Pai Gow poker. Spirit Mountain is known for its non-smoking poker room and frequent tournaments. Its location makes it a practical option for those heading towards the Oregon Coast. The main hotel has 254 rooms, with rates starting around $129 on weekdays.
Chinook Winds Gaming Resort in Lincoln City offers a unique setting directly on the oceanfront, roughly a two-hour drive from the urban core. This location combines gaming with beach access. It operates over 1,100 slot machines, table games like 21, and a bingo hall. A distinct feature is the U-Play Blackjack, which offers lower minimums. The facility includes a 243-room oceanfront hotel and a golf resort. It is a family-friendly destination with a supervised children's play palace and an arcade.
Wildhorse Resort is a longer journey, located approximately three hours east in Pendleton. This destination offers a different cultural context, operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. It features a gaming floor with slots and table games, a hotel, an 18-hole golf course, a cineplex, and the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. This choice is best integrated into a larger trip to Eastern Oregon.
How to Get to Ilani Resort & Casino from Downtown Portland: Routes and Travel Times
The most direct route to the Ilani entertainment complex from the city center is by car via Interstate 5 North. The journey typically takes 30-45 minutes without significant traffic. Alternative options, including public transit and rideshare services, offer different travel durations and costs.
Driving Directions
- From downtown, access I-5 North.
- Continue on I-5 N for approximately 25 miles, crossing into Washington state.
- Take exit 16 for NW La Center Rd/NW 319th St.
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for the La Center/Ilani Resort exit, and merge onto NW La Center Rd.
- The entrance to the gaming resort will be on your left at 1 Cowlitz Way.
Travel time can extend to 60-90 minutes during weekday rush hours (7:00-9:00 AM and 3:30-6:30 PM).
Public Transportation & Shuttles
C-TRAN offers bus service that connects with the Ilani Resort. This method involves transfers and takes longer than driving.
- Route 4 (Fourth Plain): Board this bus in downtown Vancouver (accessible from the city via other C-TRAN routes like The Vine).
- Transfer at 99th Street Transit Center: Switch to Route 9 (99th St to Ilani).
- Total Trip Duration: Expect a travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours from the city's core, depending on connection wait times.
Check the C-TRAN website for the most current schedules and route adjustments, as service times vary, especially on weekends and holidays.
Rideshare and Taxi Services
Services like Uber and Lyft operate directly to the destination's main entrance. This is a convenient but more expensive option.
- Estimated Fare: A one-way trip typically costs between $45 and $70 for a standard ride.
- Surge Pricing: Fares can increase significantly during peak demand periods, such as weekend evenings or after major events at the venue.
- Travel Time: Matches driving time, approximately 30-45 minutes in light traffic.
Comparing Table Game Minimums: Ilani vs. Spirit Mountain vs. Chinook Winds
For the lowest table game stakes, Spirit Mountain offers the most consistent value, particularly for blackjack and craps players during off-peak hours. Ilani presents higher minimums across the board, catering to a clientele comfortable with larger wagers, while Chinook Winds provides a middle ground, often with favorable poker buy-ins.
Expect $15 as the standard blackjack minimum at Ilani on a weekday afternoon, escalating to $25 or higher during evening and weekend periods. Their craps table typically starts at $15. In contrast, Spirit Mountain frequently runs $10 blackjack and craps tables, with $5 games appearing during slower weekday mornings. Chinook Winds maintains a steady $10 minimum for most of its blackjack offerings but stands out for its poker room, where No-Limit Hold'em cash games can have buy-ins as low as $40-$60.
Table Game Minimum Bet Comparison
Game
Ilani (Ridgefield, WA)
Spirit Mountain (Grand Ronde, OR)
Chinook Winds (Lincoln City, OR)
Blackjack
$15 - $25+ (Peak)
$5 - $10
$10
Craps
$15+
$10
$10
Roulette
$15 (Inside/Outside Total)
$10 (Inside/Outside Total)
$10 (Inside/Outside Total)
Pai Gow Poker
$25
$15
$15
Poker Room (NLH Buy-in)
$100 - $300 (Typical)
$60 - $200 (Typical)
$40 - $100 (Typical)
Player traffic directly impacts these figures. Ilani's proximity to the metropolitan area ensures steady crowds, keeping its table minimums firm. Spirit Mountain's location requires more of a drive, resulting in lower limits to attract patrons. Chinook Winds leverages its coastal destination appeal, finding a balance between the two. For budget-conscious players seeking traditional games like blackjack, Spirit Mountain is the clear choice. Poker players looking for low-stakes cash games will find the best options at Chinook Winds. Ilani is structured for those prepared for a higher cost of entry for its modern gaming floor.
Maximizing Rewards: A Practical Breakdown of Player's Club Benefits at Local Casinos
Sign up for a player’s card online before your first visit. This pre-registration often unlocks exclusive introductory offers, such as $10 in free slot play or bonus points added directly to your new account. These initial incentives are frequently better than the standard sign-up bonuses offered on-site. Present your pre-registration confirmation and ID at the player's club desk to receive your physical card and activate the benefits.
Concentrate your play at a single gaming establishment to accelerate tier progression. For example, reaching the second tier at the Ilani entertainment complex, the "Creator" level, requires earning 1,000 status points within six months. This tier provides a 10% discount on dining and retail, an improvement over the entry-level "Explorer" tier. The Spirit Mountain establishment's "Coyote Club" tiers are based on a 12-month earning period, making consistent patronage key to advancing.
Utilize point multipliers, typically offered on weekdays. A "3x points on slots" promotion means that for every dollar wagered, you earn triple the standard rate. Check the monthly promotional calendar for specific days and times. For instance, a Tuesday afternoon might be designated for multiplied points on video poker, while a Wednesday evening could boost earnings on specific slot machines. Planning your trips around these events dramatically speeds up reward accumulation.
Redeem points for high-value, non-gaming rewards. Converting 1,000 points for a $50 dining credit at a signature steakhouse offers a superior value proposition compared to exchanging the same points for $10 in free play. Points can also be used for hotel stays, spa treatments, or event tickets, often at a favorable exchange rate. Evaluate https://mrplay-casino-fr.casino -to-dollar" value for each redemption option to get the most out of your earned credits.
Link your card to a partner's card if the program allows householding. This combines the point-earning power of two individuals into a single account, allowing you to reach higher tiers and unlock premium benefits faster. At some venues, this consolidated earning also applies to promotional drawings, giving your household two entries for every one earned.
Actively check your account for "expiring offers." Many gaming halls load personalized, time-sensitive promotions directly onto player accounts, such as a complimentary buffet pass valid for the next 72 hours or a "match play" coupon for table games that expires at the end of the week. These targeted offers are often overlooked but provide immediate, tangible value. Access these through the establishment's mobile app or by swiping your card at a promotional kiosk.