Casinos

For many years after Aruba's first casino opened in 1959, gambling was the island's major attraction (next to the beaches, of course). Today, Aruba boasts a dozen gambling venues, most of them casually elegant. Table games such as baccarat, blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps usually start in the afternoon or early evening; slot machines can usually be played in the morning. Bingo, another diversion, starts in the afternoon at some places, in the evening at others. The action goes on as long as there's a crowd, usually until 2, 3, or 4am. The Crystal Casino in downtown Oranjestad is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Oranjestad

Located in downtown Oranjestad at the Renaissance Aruba Resort, the Crystal Casino, L.G. Smith Blvd. 82 (tel. 297/523-6318), is Aruba's only 24-hour casino. More elegant than most gaming venues on the island, the Crystal boasts Austrian crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf columns, ornate moldings, Spanish mirrors, and Italian marble and brass. The 1,393-sq.-m (14,994-sq.-ft.) parlor features 373 slot machines, bingo, and tables for roulette, craps, baccarat, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, and Texas hold 'em. The adjacent Crystal Theatre is home to Aruba's hottest show, Havana Dance! an extravaganza with impressive performers, costumes, and choreography.

The Seaport Casino, L.G. Smith Blvd. 9 (tel. 297/523-6318), also part of the Renaissance in downtown Oranjestad, is Aruba's only waterfront casino. The casual 743-sq.-m (7,998-sq.-ft.) emporium fits in well with the surrounding shopping mall; you might think it's just another store. Besides more than 400 slot machines, the casino features tables for blackjack, roulette, and Caribbean stud poker. In a sequestered area, the race and sports book boasts a satellite linkup and wagering based on Las Vegas odds. Most major sporting events are covered. The Sunday bingo games are especially popular. Slot machines are available from 10am to 4am; tables are open from 4pm to 4am.

Low-Rise Area

The Alhambra Casino, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 47, Manchebo Beach (tel. 297/583-5000; www.casinoalhambra.com), is a busy complex in the Low-Rise area near the Divi and the Casa del Mar. The theme at this 20-year-old facility is pure kismet. Dressed like a jovial genie, the doorman greets every guest with a robust handshake. Inside, the casino's leaded glass, serpentine mahogany columns, arches, and domes have a pronounced Moorish flavor. The atmosphere is casual. The 929-sq.-m (10,000-sq.-ft.) casino features 300-plus slots and tables for Caribbean stud poker, three-card poker, craps, blackjack, Let It Ride, and roulette, with a range of wagering minimums. Slots open at 10am; tables start business at 6pm. Year-round, you can play into the early morning, usually 4am. Bingo starts at 1pm on Thursday and Saturday.

High-Rise Area

The Occidental Grand Casino at the Occidental Grand Aruba, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 83, Palm Beach (tel. 297/586-4500), opens daily at noon for slot action; table games are available after 5pm. As long as folks are making wagers, the casino stays open until 4am. You can feed one of the 300-plus slot machines (with as little as a penny) or play craps, blackjack, roulette, poker, or Texas hold 'em at the tables. Bingo takes center stage at 10:30pm and 11:15pm every night. There's live entertainment most nights as well.

Casablanca Casino at the Westin, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 77, Palm Beach (tel. 297/586-2283), is buzzing with action in the evening, especially after the hotel's show lets out. The 1,114-sq.-m (11,991-sq.-ft.) facility features no fewer than 300 slot machines, nine tables for blackjack, three roulette wheels, as well as craps tables, and Caribbean stud, three card, and Let It Ride poker tables. The theme has something of a Bogart twist, complete with a Moroccan-style Rick's Café. There's also a bar and live entertainment. The room in back caters to higher rollers. At the adjacent bar, exotic cocktails are on hand. The casino is open daily from noon to 4am; table games start at noon.

The Casino at the Radisson, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 81, Palm Beach (tel. 297/586-4045; www.thecasinoaruba.com), twinkles with thousands of lights and looms over 1,300 sq. m (13,993 sq. ft.) of space. The 235 slots open at noon, while tables for blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as the live poker room, featuring Caribbean stud, three card, Texas hold 'em, seven-card stud, and Let It Ride, open at 4pm in the high season, at 5pm otherwise. The action lasts until 4am daily. The bar features big-screen TVs tuned to sporting events, and there's live music Wednesday through Saturday.

The Hyatt's Copacabana Casino, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 85, Palm Beach (tel. 297/586-1234, ext. 4583; www.hyattcasinoaruba.com), has a tropical palm theme and works to evoke the glamour of Monaco. With the many columns, murals, and stone walls, it's certainly one of Aruba's more elegant gambling venues. The 21 tables feature craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and Caribbean stud poker. The 1,115-sq.-m (12,000-sq.-ft.) facility also has more than 260 slot machines. Live bands play Latin or popular American music every evening. Slots and tables open at noon and the action lasts until 4am.

The Holiday Inn's busy Excelsior Casino, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 230, Palm Beach (tel. 866/358-6518 or 297/586-7777; www.excelsiorcasino.com), has plenty of slots, plus tables for blackjack, craps, roulette, Let It Ride, and Caribbean stud poker (this popular game originated at the Excelsior in 1988). It's the only Aruban casino besides the Seaport Casino to offer a horse race and sports book with live simulcasts. Slots are available at 8am, sports book from noon to 8pm, and tables are ready for play from noon to 3 or 4am. Daily bingo games fill the house at 3:30pm on weekdays and 12:30pm on weekends. There's an ATM next to the cashier, a bar, and live entertainment.

The Stellaris Casino, at the Marriott, L.G. Smith Blvd. 101, Palm Beach (tel. 297/586-9000), hums with the sound of slot machines from 10am, but the real buzz begins after noon, when the tables open and the crowd thickens. The 500 slots range from a nickel to $50. The 32 game tables include blackjack, craps, Caribbean stud poker, roulette, and Let It Ride. The live band can be heard throughout the 1,672-sq.-m (17,997-sq.-ft.) casino, in spite of the groans of disgust and squeals of delight.

The newest casino at press time is Cool Casino (tel. 297/528-0993; www.coolcasinogaming.com) at the Riu Palace. It features state-of-the-art video poker and slot machines -- meaning that all slots are coinless. Slots open at 10am, and table games start at 2pm.