Closest casino to dallas

July 19, 2025

Find the nearest casinos to Dallas, TX. Get details on the Choctaw and Winstar casinos in Oklahoma, including drive times, games, and amenities.

Nearest Casino To Dallas Texas Where To Play Slots And Table Games ==================================================================

For residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth area seeking a premier gaming experience, the WinStar World Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, is the most direct option. Located just across the Red River, approximately 65 miles north of the city center, this massive entertainment complex is a straight shot up Interstate 35. https://banzaicasino365.casino takes just over an hour, making it a feasible destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The establishment boasts nine distinct, city-themed gaming plazas, offering a vast selection of electronic games and table activities.

Beyond the immense gaming floor, WinStar provides a full-fledged resort experience. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment at the Global Event Center, which hosts internationally recognized performers. Accommodation options range from luxurious hotel towers to an RV park. Multiple dining establishments, from upscale steakhouses to casual eateries, cater to every palate. The property also features a championship golf course and a spa, providing alternatives to the gaming action.

A strong alternative is the Choctaw Resort & Spa in Durant, Oklahoma. Positioned about 90 miles northeast of the Metroplex, the journey usually takes around an hour and a half via US-75 N. This destination is renowned for its upscale atmosphere, with a newly expanded Sky Tower offering modern rooms and suites. The Choctaw gaming floor is extensive, featuring a wide array of slots, a dedicated poker room, and numerous table games. Its amenities include a multi-pool aquatic area, a full-service spa, a cinema, and a family-friendly entertainment zone called “The District,” making it a comprehensive vacation spot.

Closest Casino to Dallas: A Practical Guide

WinStar World Resort & Entertainment Center in Thackerville, Oklahoma, is the nearest major gaming establishment to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The drive time is typically between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions on I-35E/N and your specific starting point within the Metroplex.

Travel and Logistics

Route: Take Interstate 35E North from the city center. It merges with I-35. Continue north across the Red River into Oklahoma. Take Exit 1 for the entertainment destination.
Traffic: Northbound traffic on I-35 can be heavy on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Southbound traffic is often congested on Sunday evenings. Check a real-time map before departure.
Transportation Options: Besides personal vehicles, several charter bus services operate daily routes from various points in the DFW area, including Richardson and Grand Prairie, directly to the resort.

Key Information About the Destination

The gaming floor is organized into nine distinct, city-themed plazas, which helps with navigation.

Gaming Options: You will find over 10,000 electronic games, a 55-table poker room, keno, and bingo. Table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat variations.
Player's Club: Sign up for the Club Passport card immediately upon arrival. New members often receive free play credits. Points accumulate for discounts on food, merchandise, and hotel stays.
Dining: There are over 20 restaurants on-site. For a quick meal, options include the Gran Via Buffet or Dallas Cowboys Bar & Grill. For fine dining, Kirby's Steakhouse requires reservations, particularly on weekends.
Entertainment: The Global Event Center hosts concerts and shows. Check the event schedule online and purchase tickets in advance as popular acts sell out quickly.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

Age Requirement: The minimum age to enter the gaming floor in Oklahoma is 18, which is different from many other US gaming jurisdictions.
Peak Hours: The facility is busiest from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. For a less crowded experience, consider a weekday trip.
Parking: Ample free parking is available in large lots and garages. Valet service is also offered for a fee.
Accommodations: The resort has several hotel towers. Booking well in advance is recommended, especially if an event is scheduled. Rates are highest on Friday and Saturday nights.

WinStar World Casino and Resort: Directions and Travel Time from Downtown Dallas

Expect a direct drive of approximately 65-75 minutes from the heart of the city to WinStar World gaming resort, covering about 70 miles. The most straightforward route is via Interstate 35E North. From the central business district, access I-35E N and proceed northward for nearly 65 miles, crossing the Red River into Oklahoma. Take Exit 1 for US-77 N toward Thackerville. The entertainment complex is located immediately off this exit at 777 Casino Ave, Thackerville, OK 73459.

Traffic congestion on I-35E can significantly alter your travel duration. To avoid peak-hour delays, plan your departure from the metropolitan area before 3:00 PM or after 7:00 PM on weekdays. Weekend travel, particularly on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, often sees increased vehicle volume heading north, potentially adding 20-30 minutes to the trip. For real-time traffic conditions, check a GPS navigation app like Google Maps or Waze just before you leave.

An alternative route for avoiding potential I-35E bottlenecks involves using the Dallas North Tollway. Take the Tollway north to its terminus, where it merges with US-380. Head west on US-380 to I-35E N, then continue as previously described. This option may add a few miles but can be faster during heavy congestion periods on the main interstate. Be prepared for toll charges on this segment. Parking at the destination is ample and provided at no cost, with both surface lots and multi-level garages available for patrons.

Choctaw Casino & Resort Durant: Comparing Amenities and Game Offerings

For an establishment approximately 90 miles from the North Texas metropolis, Choctaw presents a compelling gaming floor with over 9,600 slot machines. This collection includes both classic reel games and modern video slots with progressive jackpots. For poker enthusiasts, the dedicated 30-table poker room offers regular No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments, along with cash games at various stakes. Table game players will find more than 100 tables featuring Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, and Pai Gow Poker.

Beyond the gaming floor, Choctaw provides extensive amenities. Lodging options include four hotel towers: the Spa Tower, the Grand Tower, the Sky Tower, and the original Choctaw Inn, offering a range of price points. Dining choices are numerous, with 16 restaurants available. For upscale dining, 1832 Steakhouse offers premium cuts and a formal atmosphere. For casual meals, Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar and Gilley’s provide American comfort food. Family entertainment is centered around The District, which features a 20-lane bowling alley, a 70-game arcade, and a six-screen cinema. The resort also includes two distinct pool areas–one family-friendly and another adults-only–and the Grand Theater, a 3,000-seat venue for concerts and shows.

In contrast, Winstar World Resort, a primary competitor, boasts a larger gaming space with over 10,000 electronic games. However, Choctaw's structured layout across four distinct gaming plazas–New York, London, Paris, and Rome–offers a more organized experience compared to Winstar's single, mile-long gaming floor. Choctaw’s dedicated, non-smoking poker room is a significant draw for serious players, while Winstar integrates its 55 poker tables into the main gaming area. When comparing amenities, Choctaw’s The District provides a centralized entertainment hub that Winstar lacks, making it a stronger choice for visitors seeking activities beyond gambling. Choctaw's multiple, architecturally distinct hotel towers also offer more varied accommodation styles than Winstar's three interconnected towers.

Navigating Texas and Oklahoma Gambling Laws for Dallas Residents

For metropolitan area inhabitants, the quickest legal route to slot machines and table games is crossing the Red River into Oklahoma. Texas law, under Penal Code Chapter 47, strictly prohibits most forms of wagering, classifying operation of a gambling place as a Class A misdemeanor. The only state-sanctioned exceptions are the state lottery, specific charitable bingo games, and horse/greyhound racing at licensed tracks. Private, in-home games are permissible only if all proceeds go to the players and the location is not public.

Oklahoma, by contrast, permits Class III gaming through compacts with its federally recognized Native American tribes. This means a resident of the North Texas region can legally access a full spectrum of Las Vegas-style games just north of the state line. The legal age for participation in these Oklahoma tribal gaming establishments is 18. This is a key distinction from many other U.S. gaming jurisdictions, which often require patrons to be 21. For instance, the Chickasaw Nation's WinStar World Gaming Plaza, located just off Interstate 35, operates legally under these tribal-state compacts.

Transporting significant winnings back into Texas does not present a legal issue from a gaming law perspective. Winnings from a legal out-of-state establishment are considered legally obtained property. However, all winnings are subject to federal income tax. You will receive a W-2G form for slot jackpots over $1,200 or table game winnings exceeding 300 times your bet. It is advisable to keep detailed records of both wins and losses for tax reporting purposes to the IRS, as losses can be deducted up to the amount of your winnings.

Be aware that while playing in Oklahoma is legal for Texans, any form of unregulated online wagering from a device within Texas borders remains a gray area and is generally considered illegal under state law. Law enforcement focuses on operators, but individuals are not explicitly protected. Therefore, the only guaranteed legal method for a resident of the DFW metroplex to play is by physically traveling to a regulated establishment in a neighboring state like Oklahoma.