The Mardi Gras Casino & Resort is located in Cross Lanes, West Virginia and offers up a small upscale hotel along with a wide range of casino games. There is also an outdoor racetrack which runs live greyhound races. Prior to 2010, it was better known as Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center, until it was remodeled and renamed. It currently features table games, electronic machines, live greyhound racing and off-track betting on both horses and greyhounds. It is located within 15 miles of Charleston, making it a popular gambling destination for residents within the surrounding area. It might be better known for its resort, which is one of the best in the state.
Compared to other Vegas-style casino resorts, Mardi Gras has a limited amount of space dedicated to overnight guests with just over 150 hotel rooms. This makes it somewhat small, and more popular amongst local residents than tourists. As you might have guessed from its name, the casino follows a Mardi Gras theme throughout. The casino games here are somewhat new, first becoming available in 2008, just a year after these types of games were made legal in West Virginia. Aside from standard casino games and racing, it also features one of the largest poker rooms in the state.
Casino at Mardi Gras Cross Lanes
The newly remodeled casino floor at Mardi Gras offers up all of the most popular table games and electronic machines. While walking the gaming floor, you’ll notice it is decorated Mardi Gras theme. All of these games are spread across the 90,000 square foot casino floor. The table games currently available at Mardi Gras include: Mississippi Stud, Double Draw Poker, Criss Cross Poker, Blackjack, Craps, Big 6, Roulette, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker and Four Card Poker. As you’ll see, they have a somewhat larger selection of poker-based games than many other casinos, especially within the state of West Virginia.
Aside from live table games, they also feature electronic table games, most common of which is virtual blackjack. All in all, there is just over 1,000 slots here. The slot machines available at Mardi Gras range from your standard penny machines to high limit machines of the $5 denomination. There is nothing higher than $5 here, even in the high limit room which can be disappointing if you are an avid slots player. The variety includes just over 70 types of slot games. They also have video poker machines, though the selection is somewhat limited; especially when compared to casinos in other states like NJ or NV.
Poker Room at Mardi Gras
The poker room at Mardi Gras Cross Lanes is one of the biggest within the state. It runs both cash games and tournaments on a regular basis, and has 24 tables available which is the most in West Virginia. The poker room here is non-smoking and unlike many others, is not opened 24 hours. Instead, it is opened from 10AM-5AM each day which is not terrible. The games available here include No Limit Hold ‘Em, No Limit Omaha Hi, Pot Limit Omaha Hi, Limit Hold ‘Em and Stud. A majority of these games are $1/$2 and $2/$5. For a calendar of upcoming tournaments you can view them on their website, or call them in advance at 1-800-224-9683.
Racetrack at Mardi Gras Casino
The racetrack at Mardi Gras is an outdoor track built for greyhounds. Live races are held here everyday at 7PM with the exception of Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. On off-days you can still wager on horse and greyhound races from around the world via simulcast. To bet on horses and greyhounds the age is just 18, unlike the casino which is 21. You can also wager on both simulcast and live racing right at the table if you choose to eat at one of the restaurants here which is a convenience.
Restaurants and Bars at Mardi Gras Casino
Since Mardi Gras has pretty small casino and resort with a limited amount of rooms, it does not have an outstanding selection of food options. There are only around 5 options when it comes to getting food and drinks. This includes Cafe Orleans, Crescent City Eats & Drinks, Bayou Buffet, French Quarter and The Grill at First Turn. Many of these options also serve alcohol, while there is an establishment named “Louie’s” which offers live entertainment most nights and serves alcohol. If you are staying at the hotel, they do have an on-site personal chef and 24/7 room service.
Hotel at Mardi Gras Casino
As we went over briefly earlier in the article, the hotel at Mardi Gras is fairly small. It has just over 150 hotel rooms, which is tiny compared to most full scale casino resorts. The only upside being that each of the rooms are more upscale than others in the area. The hotel here is actually one of the best luxury resorts in West Virginia and features 21 suites. Each room, suite or not, has updated European style bathrooms with free internet. Room service is available 24/7 and the on-site personal chef serves up breakfast meals cooked to your liking. It also has jacuzzis and a large pool available to guests. What it lacks in size, it makes up for with amenities. This makes Mardi Gras one of the best resorts in the state.