There is no commercial casino in Phoenix. Every casino in the valley sits on tribal land, owned by one of five tribal nations and communities, and that is the most useful way to understand the choice. Each owner runs its properties as a family, so sister casinos split the jobs between them: one has the poker room, another the hotel, another the sportsbook. Here are the ten floors within reach of Phoenix, grouped by who runs them. Players must be 21.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community: Scottsdale
Talking Stick Resort is the largest casino property in the Phoenix area and the one to pick for a full resort, with a hotel, spa and golf. It is rated 4.3 by more than 26,000 Google reviewers. Its Arena Poker Room is described as Arizona's largest, with 69 tables running 24 hours a day, and the small hours are the easiest time to get a seat. Talking Stick review.
Casino Arizona, a few minutes away, is the same community's gaming-first floor, with slots, table games, keno, bingo and a sportsbook, and no hotel or poker room. It draws a more local, regular crowd and is rated 4.1 by more than 22,000 reviewers. Casino Arizona review.
Gila River Indian Community: Chandler and Laveen
Gila River runs four properties, the biggest family in the valley.
- Wild Horse Pass in Chandler is the resort, with more than 1,300 slots, a 20-table poker room and a 1,400-seat showroom, rated 4.2 by 17,700+ reviewers. Review.
- Lone Butte, also in Chandler, is the poker choice. Its room covers 8,000 square feet with 30 tables and its own entrance. Review.
- Santan Mountain opened in Chandler in 2023, a $180 million build that is now the family's best-rated floor at 4.3. It has about 900 slots, 15 blackjack tables, the largest casino sportsbook in Arizona and what it calls the first white roulette wheel in America. Review.
- Vee Quiva in Laveen, on the south-west side, is the boutique hotel of the four, with 1,300+ slots, an all-night poker room and uncommon tables such as Bahama Blackjack. Review.
Tohono O'odham Nation: the West Valley
Desert Diamond West Valley opened in 2020 inside Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District, beside State Farm Stadium. It has the largest review base of any Arizona casino, at more than 23,000, with over 1,400 slots and 48 electronic and live tables. Review.
Desert Diamond White Tanks in Waddell opened in December 2024, the newest casino in the valley. Its 184,000-square-foot property carries 900 slots, a poker room, a retail sportsbook and live tables. Review.
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation: north-east
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, about twenty miles from Sky Harbor near Fountain Hills, is a purpose-built replacement for the old Fort McDowell Casino. Its 166,000-square-foot floor is one of the largest gaming buildings in Arizona. Review.
Ak-Chin Indian Community: Maricopa
Harrah's Ak-Chin, 39 miles south, is the valley's Caesars-run casino, so Caesars Rewards applies. It has more than 1,000 slots, 27 live tables and 529 rooms, rated 4.2 by 12,700+ reviewers. Review.
Which one to choose
| If you want | Go to |
| The biggest poker room | Talking Stick, 69 tables, 24 hours |
| A dedicated poker room without the resort | Lone Butte, 30 tables |
| Sports betting | Santan Mountain, the largest casino sportsbook in Arizona |
| A full resort weekend | Talking Stick or Wild Horse Pass |
| A night out with dinner and a game | Desert Diamond West Valley at Westgate |
| Caesars Rewards | Harrah's Ak-Chin |
| Something new | Desert Diamond White Tanks |
Frequently asked questions
Are there casinos in Phoenix itself?
Not commercial ones. All casinos around Phoenix are on tribal land, in Scottsdale, Chandler, Laveen, Glendale, Waddell, Fort McDowell and Maricopa.
What is the biggest casino near Phoenix?
Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale is the largest casino property in the Phoenix area.
Which Phoenix casino has the best poker?
Talking Stick, with Arizona's largest room at 69 tables open 24 hours. Lone Butte's 30-table room is the strongest alternative.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Phoenix casinos?
For what Arizona law says about online play, read our guide to Arizona sweepstakes law.
