Las Vegas Castaways Hotel & Casino

The former Showboat traded in its Mardi Gras/Showboat gambling theme for a Polynesian one. It's a big casino, nearly as big as the ones on the Strip, but over time has been portioned off into deceptively small rooms and other sections. It's not the most elaborate in town, but it is certainly clean, friendly, and comfortable. At night, various bands play from an open lounge. Castaways' enormous 24-hour bingo parlor is a facility noted for high payouts.

Slot players can join a club to accumulate bonus points toward free meals, rooms, gifts, and cash prizes. And if you're traveling with kids ages 2 to 7, you can leave them at an in-house babysitting facility free for 3 hours while you gamble.

2800 Fremont St., Las Vegas