Arizona's western border is the Colorado River, and four tribal casinos sit along it. They are about as far from the Phoenix resorts as it is possible to be in Arizona, both in distance and in style. One has its own beach and marina. One is a small slots room across the river from California. Two serve Yuma, a city with a huge winter-visitor population and some of the best daily bingo in the state. Players must be 21.
North to south
| Spirit Mountain | BlueWater | Paradise | Cocopah | |
| Where | Mohave Valley, across from Needles | Parker, below Lake Havasu | Yuma | Somerton, five minutes from Yuma |
| Tribe | Fort Mojave Indian Tribe | Colorado River Indian Tribes | Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe | Cocopah Indian Tribe |
| Floor | About 250 slots, video keno and poker | 450+ slots, eight tables | 500+ slots, tables, sportsbook | 500+ slots, blackjack, daily bingo |
| Stay | None | 200+ river-view rooms, beach, marina | Regional floor | About 100 rooms, 800-space RV park |
| Google rating | 3.9, about 1,600 reviews | 4.1, 5,500+ reviews | 3.9, 3,100+ reviews | 4.0, 2,500+ reviews |
BlueWater Resort & Casino: the river resort
BlueWater at Parker is Arizona's only gaming resort on the Colorado River, and the water is the reason to go. It has a marina where guests can take out boats and jet skis, a beach and more than 200 river-view rooms. Parker sits on the stretch between Lake Havasu and the Parker Dam that draws boaters from across Arizona and southern California every summer, so summer weekends here feel more like a lake holiday than a casino trip. The floor itself is modest, at more than 450 slots and eight tables. BlueWater review.
Spirit Mountain: slots by the state line
Spirit Mountain, run by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe at Mohave Valley, sits just across the river from Needles, California. Its name suggests more than it delivers: about 250 slot machines, video keno and video poker, and nothing else. There are no table games, no poker and no bingo. It works as a local, no-frills room rather than a destination. Spirit Mountain review.
Paradise Casino: Yuma's newer-than-it-looks floor
Paradise, the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe's casino, is the floor for a city of roughly 100,000 plus a large seasonal population of winter visitors. It carries more than 500 slots and video poker machines, with table games and a sportsbook. A renovation completed in November 2023 means the room is newer inside than the property's age suggests. Bingo runs matinee and evening sessions. Paradise review.
Cocopah Casino: built for people who tow
Cocopah, five minutes from Yuma at Somerton, opened in December 2003 and is the better-rated of the two Yuma-area floors. It has more than 500 slots and blackjack, open 24 hours a day, and a bingo hall with daily matinee and evening sessions. Its real distinction is the 800-space RV park beside about 100 rooms, which suits the winter visitors who arrive towing. Cocopah review.
Yuma: two bingo rooms
Between Paradise and Cocopah, the Yuma area is unusually well served for bingo, which has been disappearing from casino floors in the Phoenix area. If bingo is your game, Yuma is one of the best bases in Arizona for it.
Which one to choose
- A weekend on the water: BlueWater at Parker.
- Bingo: Cocopah or Paradise in Yuma.
- An RV stay: Cocopah's 800-space park.
- A quick slots stop near Needles: Spirit Mountain.
- Table games: BlueWater, Paradise or Cocopah's blackjack. Spirit Mountain has none.
Frequently asked questions
Which Arizona casino is on the Colorado River?
BlueWater Resort & Casino at Parker is Arizona's only gaming resort on the river itself. Spirit Mountain, Paradise and Cocopah are close to it along the border.
Are there casinos in Yuma?
Yes, two: Paradise Casino in Yuma and Cocopah Casino at Somerton, about five minutes away.
Does Spirit Mountain Casino have table games?
No. It is slots, video keno and video poker only.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Arizona casinos?
For more Arizona venues, see our guides to casinos in Phoenix and casinos in Tucson.
