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Best Native American Casino 2026

By Readers' Choice On 11/5/25 at 12:00 PM EST

From desert resorts to mountain retreats, these premier Native American–owned casinos redefine luxury gaming across the country. Each destination blends first-class hospitality, fine dining and high-stakes entertainment with a deep sense of place. Whether you're drawn to the rolling vineyards of California, the forests of the Pacific Northwest or the shores of the Great Lakes, these resorts deliver world-class experiences that go far beyond the casino floor, inviting guests to relax, recharge and play in extraordinary settings.

Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout Native American casinos—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Native American Casinos of 2026.

1. Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel | Highland, CA

Yaamava submitted

Photo courtesy of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Photo courtesy of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel

Nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains in Highland, California, Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel is a highly acclaimed property, featuring a luxe resort, award-winning dining, five-star spa and a state-of-the art theater with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Yaamava' is the largest casino in the West with more than 7,400 slots, five high-limit areas and 150 table games. Guests can indulge at The Pines Modern Steakhouse and 12+ bars and lounges including the new fast-casual dining and immersive entertainment venue, bEATS. Yaamava' is owned and operated by the San Manuel Entertainment Authority.

2. Mohegan Sun | Uncasville, CT

Mohegan Sun

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A signature property of the Mohegan Tribe, this Connecticut destination combines two casinos, a 10,000-seat arena and more than 40 restaurants under one roof. The 1,600-room hotel and 19,000-square-foot spa make it a full-scale getaway. From concerts and sports to shopping and nightlife, Mohegan Sun delivers excitement and relaxation in equal measure.

3. Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass | Chandler, AZ

Gila River

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Just outside Phoenix, this Gila River Indian Community property offers a vibrant blend of gaming, fine dining and desert luxury. The 100,000-square-foot casino floor, new 11-story hotel tower and 6,000-seat amphitheater create an all-in-one destination. A rooftop pool, modern design and a strong dining lineup make Wild Horse Pass one of Arizona's most sophisticated casino getaways.

4. Graton Resort & Casino | Rohnert Park, CA

Graton Resort & Casino

Photo courtesy of Graton Resort & Casino Photo courtesy of Graton Resort & Casino

Nestled in the heart of Northern California's wine country, Graton Resort & Casino offers an unparalleled blend of luxury and excitement. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the casino provides an exceptional gaming experience with over 3,000 slot machines, 130 table games, and a dedicated poker room. Guests can indulge in world-class dining, enjoy live entertainment, and relax in luxurious hotel and spa accommodations.

5. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage | Rancho Mirage, CA

Agua Caliente

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This desert oasis near Palm Springs, owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, offers over 89,000 square feet of gaming, a spa and a 16-story luxury hotel. Fine dining, live entertainment at the "The Show" and sweeping Coachella Valley views define a setting that's both relaxing and refined. Southern California gaming at its most elegant.

6. Pechanga Resort Casino | Temecula, CA

Pechanga Resort Casino

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A Temecula landmark from the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, this destination remains one of the largest resort casinos in the country, boasting 200,000 square feet of gaming and 1,100 rooms and suites. A championship golf course, spa and a dozen restaurants complete the picture, while its location near Southern California's wine country adds serenity to its scale.

7. Choctaw Casino & Resort | Durant, OK

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Photo courtesy of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Photo courtesy of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has built a sprawling entertainment destination in Durant featuring 7,400 slot machines, 100 table games and a 1,000-room hotel. Guests enjoy concerts, a water park and multiple dining options. Now part of a four-resort network across Southeast Oklahoma, Choctaw welcomes families with bowling, arcades, movies and luxury amenities. The 2021 Sky Tower expansion added rooms and pools, reinforcing Choctaw's blend of excitement, comfort and community-driven hospitality.

8. Foxwoods Resort Casino | Mashantucket, CT

Foxwoods

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Operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods remains one of the largest casino complexes in the world, spanning six casinos and more than 340,000 square feet of gaming. The resort's three hotels, two-story arcade, Tanger Outlets and celebrity-chef restaurants from Gordon Ramsay and David Burke make it a self-contained entertainment city defining East Coast gaming excellence.

9. Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | Niagara Falls, NY

Seneca Resorts & Casinos

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Overlooking Niagara Falls, this Seneca Nation property pairs stunning natural views with top-tier gaming and entertainment. Just blocks from the world-famous cascades, the resort offers 147,000 square feet of gaming with more than 2,600 slot machines, over 60 table games and the Seneca Sports Lounge. The 26-story AAA Four Diamond hotel anchors a lineup of 10 dining venues, live entertainment, a full-service spa and a four-season atmosphere infused with Niagara's energy.

10. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Hollywood, FL

Hard Rock Live

Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

In South Florida, the Seminole Tribe's flagship property is instantly recognizable by its guitar-shaped hotel tower. Nearly 3,000 slot machines, 200 table games and an award-winning pool lagoon anchor a resort filled with music memorabilia, luxury shopping and fine dining. Glamorous yet welcoming, it lives up to its "Rock Star" reputation on every level.

FINALISTS Black Hawk Casino | Shawnee, OK Cherokee Casino & Hotel West Siloam Springs | West Siloam Springs, OK Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City | Atlantic City, NJ Harrah's Cherokee Valley RiverCasino & Hotel | Murphy, NC Tulalip Resort Casino | Tulalip, WA

About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Julie Bielenberg

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Marla Cimini

Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.

Jacky Runice

When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.