You’re on vacation and you’re feeling lucky. Well then, you might want to pay a visit to any of the 20 resort casinos here in Puerto Rico. Now before you get ahead of yourself, don’t think Las Vegas-type (or even Atlantic City-type) casinos. These are much smaller by comparison. However they offer state-of-the-art casino action, with all the lights, bells and whistles that you seek! Of course they have slot machines. But they also an variety of exciting table games, from roulette and craps to blackjack and mini-baccarat.

Slot machines are the most popular games in most of Puerto Rico’s casinos. There are even slots in the airport and many bars. Slot machines make almost three-quarters of most casinos’ income. In most casinos, you can find them ranging from penny slots all the way up to $25 slots. A few of them still take coins, though most of the casinos have changed to plastic magnetic-strip card or paper bar-coded cards tied to a debit card.

Some places still have some of the older machines, where you can pull a lever on the side of the machine (or push a button) and watch the reels spin. When they stop, the pattern of visible symbols determines if the player wins money and, if so, how much. But more often you will see the more modern computer video ones. Personally, I like the old ones – they feel more lucky to me!

The choice in game tables are a little more limited. Not all places will have your game of choice. Roulette is pretty easy to find. It is best to call ahead of you have your heart set on a certain game.

Over half of the casinos are located in the San Juan area, though we have a couple right here in Rio Grande. There are also casinos in Fajardo and Mayaguez. Business casual dress is fine, but you must be 18 years or older to play (and even to be admitted in). Most casinos offer free drinks for players. The following is a partial list of casinos on the island.

Casinos in Rio Grande & Fajardo

Casino at Gran Melia Puerto Rico – Rio Grande
7,500 square foot casino with about 150 slot machines, and Blackjack and Roulette. Open 10:00am – 3:00am.
phone: 787-657-1026 or 787-809-1770

Casino at Wyndham Rio Mar – Rio Grande
7,000 square foot Las Vegas-style casino, offering 180 slot machines from 1¢ to $5, and 12 games tables, including Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Roulette, 3-card Poker and Texas Hold’em. Open 10:00am – 2:00 am Sunday – Thursday, 10:00am – 4:00am Friday and Saturday.
web: www.wyndhamriomar.com/recreation/casino.html
phone: 800-4-RIOMAR or 787-888-6000

El Conquistador Resort & Spa – Fajardo
10,000 square foot casino, offering over 233 slot machines ranging from 1¢ to $5, and Caribbean Stud Poker, Roulette and Blackjack. Open 12 noon – 3:00am 7 days/week.
web: www.elconresort.com/resort_activities/casino.cfm
phone: 800-468-5228 or 787-863-1000

Casinos in Isla Verde

Ritz-Carlton Casino, San Juan – Isla Verde
17,000 square foot casino, with a very elegant atmosphere, offering over 300 slot machines, and 22 game tables, including Blackjack, Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat and Craps. Open 24 hours/day.
phone: 800-241-3333 or 787-253-1700

Courtyard by Marriott Casino, Carolina – Isla Verde
12,000 square foot Casino del Sol, offering over 400 slot machines, and Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat and Three Card Poker. Open 24 hours/day.
phone: 787-791-0404 or 800-791-2553

El San Juan Hotel & Casino, Carolina – Isla Verde
This is considered the “best”, mainly due to the whole night life package of casino + bar + dance club. This 13,000 square foot casino offers over 325 slot machines, “Slot VIP” areas with $25 slots, and 30 game tables, including Blackjack, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Roulette and Caribbean Stud Poker. Open 10:00am – 4:00am
phone: 800-468-2818 or 787-791-1000

InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino, San Juan – Isla Verde
10, 000 square foot casino offering about 300 slot machines and 17 game tables, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Carribean Stud Poker,Texas Hold’em and Poker. It features “The House of Poker”. Open 10:00am – 4:00am.
phone: 787-791-6100

Casinos in the Condado

Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, San Juan – Condado
12,500 square foot casino, that feels like a Las Vegas property, offering over 400 slot machines from 5¢ to $25, and Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat and Texas Hold’em. It also has a nice bar/lounge and restaurants. Open 24 hours/day.
phone: 800-624-0420 or 787-721-1000.

San Juan Marriott Stellaris Casino, San Juan – Condado
10,700 square foot casino, offering over 450 slot machines from 1¢ to 25$, and the largest number of game tables, including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Mini-Baccarat, Texas Hold’em and Caribbean Stud Poker. Open 24 hours/day.
phone: 800-464-5005 or 787-722-7000

Casinos in Old San Juan

Sheraton Old San Juan Casino – Old San Juan
The Sheraton is the only choice if you want to gamble in Old San Juan. This 7,000 square foot casino offers over 400 slot machines, and a small number of table games, including Blackjack Caribbean Stud Poker, Roulette, Craps and Baccarat. Open 8:00am – 4:00am.
phone: 866-376-7577 or 787-721-5100

Elsewhere on the Island

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort – Ponce
Offering 337 slot machines, and table games including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Caribbean Stud Poker and Texas Hold’em Poker. Open 8:00am – 4:00am Sunday – Thursday, 8:00am – 6:00am Friday – Saturday. Table games operate 12 noon – 4:00am.

Mayaguez Resort & Casino – Mayaguez
Offering slot machines, and table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Mini-Baccarat.

[thanks to stinkie pinkie and gwenn via cc]