PENNSYLVANIA - There are 17 casinos in Pennsylvania currently, and around half a dozen within an hours drive of downtown Pittsburgh. If you count casinos within three to four hours drive there are even plenty of full resort properties with much more to offer than just gambling and dining out. But which are the very best options and what do they offer in terms of gambling and other entertainment choices?
This list will go in-depth on the pros and cons of six different casinos near the Pittsburgh area. Most will be within an hour of downtown, but there's also two highly rated options further afield. The selection includes a scenic casino resort perched over a waterfall, two historic racetracks that have been converted into casino and entertainment destinations and a modern casino resort in the heart of the 'Burgh itself.
Fallsview Casino Resort is Perfect for a Long Weekend Getaway
Fallsview casino resort is just over the Canadian border in Ontario, but is arguably the best - and certainly the most scenic - in the region. Few casinos in the world can boast views of a world-famous waterfall for one, and it is also a billion dollar full scale resort on top of that. Literally.
At just four hours drive north of Pittsburgh, Fallsview is a great option if you're looking to gamble as part of a vacation or quick weekend away. It is literally just over the border from Buffalo in upstate New York, along I-79 and then the I-90.
Fallsview's casino gaming floor is 200,000 square feet and features more than 3000 slots and 150 table games. It is one of the largest casino resorts in Canada, and has dozens of restaurants and bars, and a hotel tower with waterfall views.
Of course, no casinos, not even those of Las Vegas can match the collection of slot games at a top online casino. You'll also find virtual table games, video poker, live casino game shows and more, all from the comfort of wherever you are. Simple.
Outside of gambling, the resort offer plenty of opportunities for local activities, including boat tours around the bottom of the falls, winery tours and scenic hiking trails.
The extensive array of eating options at the Fallsview Resort ranges from fast food to chain outlets all the way to fine dining spots with waterfall views.
Rivers Casino is the Closest to Downtown Pittsburgh and a Local Legend
Opened in 2009, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh has been a staple of the local area ever since. Located in the city's North Side on the banks of the Ohio River, this modern casino resort complex is still well kept - but its hardly peak Las Vegas luxury.
However, if you're looking to unpretentiously have a good time, Rivers won't fail you. Spin some slots, have a bite to eat and maybe watch a show or have a drink (or some true Italian ice cream) after. What more could you want?
The casino is clean, spacious and well-staffed. It may be a bit smoky in some parts, but that's most casinos in Pennsylvania for you.
The casino gaming floor itself is expansive and has over 2000 slots, and 90+ table games, including loads of modern titles. The BetRivers sportsbook was also the first casino sportsbook in PA and remains popular to this day. It's poker room is also one of the larger options in the area, and has a decent amount of players and tournaments - especially over weekends.
Fun fact: Rivers Pittsburgh's poker room was the venue of a showcase event in which a bot built by nearby Carnegie Mellon University beat a field of top poker professionals in a series of heads up matches.
Wheeling Island is One of Only Two Greyhound Racing Tracks in the US
Although only an hour from Pittsburgh, Wheeling Island is, surprise, on an island. But that island is actually on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River. Nevertheless, its main market for nearly 90 years now has been Pittsburgh locals.
First built in 1937, it is now one of only two greyhound racing tracks left in the US. That probably tells you what the vibe is here - great for old school gamblers, but no real concession to the casino resort and entertainment crowd. If aint gamblin, you won't get it here. Well maybe, some beer.
Jokes aside, Wheeling Island does have old school appeal and it also has a decently-rated and modern hotel. The 1937 building underwent modernisation in 2003 and in 2018.
The casino floor is also expansive, being the main attraction aside from the racing, and has over 2000 slots at most times of the year. According to online reviews it regularly updates its slots collection and the poker room has plenty of tables for cash games but no big tournaments to speak of.
There is also greyhound racing of course, which runs several times a week throughout the year. Outside of the gambling the food isn't too bad, with The Pointe Sea & Steak coming reccomended - but the food hall not so much.
The Greenbrier is a Longer Drive but America's Only Private Casino
Built in 1913 as a luxury resort, the Greenbrier's exclusive Casino Club is America's only private members only casino. Fear not though, you can be granted temporary membership as a guest of the resort's hotel.
The modern day resort is not lacking in historical grandeur, although it is more expensive to stay the night than at anywhere else on this list. The land on which the modern building sits has been the site of a hotel since 1778 apparently, and it certainly has a lot of nearby natural attractions to merit that.
Either nearby or as part of the Greenbrier Resort you'll find:
- Mountain hikes
- Salt caves and spas
- A falconry
- A dozen fine dining restaurants
- Several bars including an old-school cocktail bar
- Two large golf courses
There's also a Cold War bunker built to house the US government in case of disaster that is now open for tours. Which is an interesting attraction you probably won't find at any other casino resort.
The casino itself has 160 slot machines and 30-plus table games across roulette, blackjack, craps and baccarat. Although that's not the largest collection of games by any means, expect quality over quantity here. You'll be rubbing shoulders with a more exclusive clientele in elegant surroundings though, so that means a dress code that is specifically enforced to a higher standard after 7pm.
There's even a cocktail bar inside the high limit gambling room of the casino. You also have to see the incredible vintage kitsch of the Draper's Cafe, decked out completely in some of the more outrageous works of the famous Dorothy Draper. Who also decorated most of the rest of the Resort.
In 1948, when Draper was chosen as chief redecorator of the Greenbrier, she was paid a million dollars, which was at the time the highest ever fee for an interior designer apparently.
Live! Casino Pittsburgh is a Modern Casino and Hospitality Venue Closer to Town
From the oldest to the most modern property, and also much closer to downtown Pittsburgh. This is a smaller scale but very shiny and new casino and entertainment property. It has three restaurants, a bar and a nightclub, as well as an arcade and other gaming options on top of the casino.
It was opened by Cordish Companies in 2021, costing around $150 million to build. The casino floor has more than 750 slot machines and around 50 live table games and a full-service poker room.
Live! Casino Pittsburgh is about forty minutes drive from downtown, in the eastern suburb of Greensburg. The PBR Pittsburgh bar puts on weekly live events and shows throughout the year. The casino is open 24/7.
Some guests praised the cleanliness and modern design of the casino complex as well as the food options. However, others mentioned the fact it isn't the biggest casino floor, can often get crowded on the weekends and, like many PA casinos, it can get quite smoky.
Hollywood Casino at Meadows Racetrack is the Best for Real Gamblers
Originally built in 1962 as Pennsylvania's first horse racing track with betting facilities legally built in. The casino was added in 2007.
Today the property has thousands of slot games, dozens of table games, a poker room and is still a functioning race track. It hosts the Adios Pace every August, which is a relatively prestigious event that has been held every year since 1967.
It has a brand new ESPN Bet sportsbook area, although the future of that is now uncertain with ESPN Bet set to close at the end of December 2025. Regardless, expect the modern sportsbook's amenities to remain largely the same, whoever takes it over.
The casino is noted for its lower table game minimums in both poker and blackjack, as well as good rewards and a lively gambler's atmosphere.
The Hollywood Casino at Meadows complex, owned by Penn Entertainment, also recently added a bowling alley and a large arcade with vintage and modern gaming machines.
