Bonanza Casino Reno is a smaller, family-run casino on North Virginia Street, north of downtown Reno. Its strongest documented draw is dining, particularly Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse and its advertised early-dinner menu, with machine gaming rounding out the stop. It best suits visitors who want gambling and dinner in a smaller setting rather than a resort getaway. The main limitations are the steakhouse’s restricted service days and the need to confirm current gaming inventory and sportsbook counter hours before a special trip.
Bonanza Casino Reno at a glance
| Address | 4720 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (775) 323-2724, listed by Restaurantji |
| Property format | Smaller, standalone, locals-oriented casino |
| Casino hours | Listed as open 24 hours daily by Restaurantji; individual services have separate hours |
| Gaming focus | Slots and video poker in the supplied property description; current inventory not established |
| Signature restaurant | Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse |
| Steakhouse hours | Thursday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to close; lounge opens at 3:30 p.m. |
| Early dinner | Advertised $39 prix fixe menu from 4 to 5 p.m.; confirm availability |
| Sportsbook | No |
| Hotel | No attached hotel according to the supplied property description |
| Research date | October 12, 2026, based on supplied material |
What kind of casino is Bonanza?
Bonanza belongs to the neighborhood-casino side of Reno rather than the hotel-tower side. Its North Virginia Street location makes it a separate stop from the downtown casino cluster. Think gambling, a meal, and perhaps a drink, not a full resort itinerary.
I think that distinction is more useful than calling it a hidden gem. A smaller casino can be exactly what you want for dinner and some video poker. It is less useful if your plan involves walking between several casinos and taking an elevator upstairs afterward.
January 2026 industry reporting describes Bonanza as family-owned and operating since 1973. The regulator identifies the casino entity as Little Bonanza, Inc. Neither description establishes ownership of the underlying real estate.
Slots and video poker
The supplied property description identifies slots and video poker as Bonanza’s main gaming attractions. A current official inventory was not supplied, so do not choose it based on an assumed machine count, particular slot title, or high-limit selection.
For slots, check the minimum total wager, not just the denomination. A penny label does not necessarily mean a penny spin once required credits and features are involved.
For video poker, the paytable matters more than the cabinet’s name. Check the full-house and flush payouts, along with the credits required for the top royal-flush payout. No current Bonanza paytables or machine-return figures are established here.
Small does not automatically mean better-paying. Guest reports of wins and losses cannot establish a machine’s long-run return.
Table games and poker
The supplied description presents Bonanza as a machine-focused property without live table games or a dedicated poker room. Current source material does not settle either inventory question, and an older directory contains conflicting table-game information.
My advice is to plan around machine gaming and call first if blackjack, craps, roulette, or live poker is essential. Video poker is not a poker room, and an electronic table-style game is not the same experience as a staffed table.
Boomer’s sportsbook at Bonanza
Boomer’s held a grand opening at Bonanza on March 2, 2026, according to KTVN 2 News. That documents an opening, but not today’s counter hours.
Earlier, CDC Gaming’s January 14 reporting described a William Hill agreement running through the Super Bowl, followed by a planned staffed Boomer’s sportsbook. The Nevada Gaming Control Board’s January disposition recorded a conditional approval recommendation. The later opening report provides a milestone beyond that proposal.
Before a betting trip, ask whether service is available through a counter, kiosks, or both, and when ticket redemption is available. For an older ticket, identify its operator when asking where to cash it. An all-night casino does not guarantee all-night sportsbook assistance.
Hotel and overnight planning
The supplied property description says Bonanza has no attached hotel. Treat it as a stop within a Reno trip and book accommodation separately. No independent current lodging information was supplied beyond that description.
A downtown hotel can make sense if you want to explore other casinos, but it does not put Bonanza downstairs. Compare room rates, hotel fees, parking, and transportation. I would rather account for those expenses than assume a cheaper room automatically means a cheaper evening.
Restaurants and bars
Cactus Creek Prime Steakhouse
Cactus Creek is the clearest reason I would put Bonanza on a visitor’s shortlist. Its official page describes Southwestern décor and USDA Prime-grade beef. Dinner runs Thursday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to close, and reservations are recommended. For large parties or unavailable reservation times, the restaurant lists (775) 334-5555.
The advertised early prix fixe menu costs $39 per diner from 4 to 5 p.m. It includes house salad, a listed entrée choice, a specified glass of wine, and a paired dessert. The choices are prime rib, jerked pork tenderloin, and Cajun shrimp linguine. This is not an offer to choose any entrée from the full dinner menu.
The lounge opens at 3:30 p.m. Advertised happy hour runs Thursday through Sunday from 3:30 to 5 p.m., with 50% off selected drinks and bites for dine-in guests. Selected is the important word: not everything you order is half-price.
Cactus Creek dinner-budget comparison
Gamboool assembled the supplied public menu observations and calculated the comparisons below. These are published-price comparisons and illustrative budgets, not meal receipts or restaurant tests. The regular dinner PDF carries October and November 2025 dates, while the early-menu webpage is undated. Confirm prices and availability.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Steakhouse: Dining schedule versus lounge schedule | Dining is advertised Thursday–Sunday from 4 PM to close; the lounge opens at 3:30 PM. |
| Steakhouse: Reservation and large-party policy | Reservations are recommended; large parties and unavailable booking times are directed to the restaurant by phone. |
| Steakhouse early prix fixe: Published price and ordering window | $39.00 per diner, advertised from 4–5 PM. |
| Steakhouse early prix fixe: Included items versus an entrée-only budget | The advertised bundle includes house salad, an entrée choice, a specified glass of wine, and a paired dessert. |
| Steakhouse early prix fixe: Prime rib option and accompaniments | Prime rib is an advertised prix fixe choice with garlic potato purée and vegetables; no portion weight is stated. |
| Steakhouse happy hour: Discount eligibility and service restrictions | The advertised discount is 50% on selected drinks and bites, Thursday–Sunday from 3:30–5 PM, for dine-in customers only. |
| Steakhouse regular prime rib: Portion and price comparison in the dated menu | The menu lists a 12-ounce portion at $50.00 and a 16-ounce portion at $66.00. |
| Steakhouse blackened prime rib: Alternative preparation and prices in the dated menu | The blackened preparation is listed at $58.00 for 12 ounces and $76.00 for 16 ounces, with jumbo prawns and sauce. |
| Steakhouse beef entrées: Included starter versus paid upgrades | Beef entrées include soup du jour or house salad; French onion soup adds $3.00, and Caesar or wedge salad adds $8.00. |
| Steakhouse steak choices: Cut, portion, and price comparison in the dated menu | Top sirloin is $35.00 for 10 ounces, filet mignon is $60.00 for 8 ounces, New York steak is $68.00 for 14 ounces, and rib eye is $70.00 for 14 ounces. |
| Steakhouse sides: Separately listed side prices | The dated menu lists each of its seven sides at $10.00. |
| Steakhouse large parties: Automatic gratuity threshold | The dated menu specifies an 18% automatic gratuity for parties of eight or more. |
| Steakhouse takeout: Surcharge compared with dine-in ordering | The dated menu adds $2.00 per entrée for to-go orders. |
| Steakhouse shared entrées: Split-plate charge | The dated menu specifies a $7.00 split-plate charge per entrée. |
| Bonanza Casino sportsbook transition: William Hill agreement versus planned Boomer’s service | January 2026 reporting described William Hill service through the Super Bowl and a staffed Boomer’s sportsbook planned afterward. This passage establishes the transition plan, not completed opening or current counter hours. |
| Bonanza Casino proposed Boomer’s sportsbook: Regulatory distinction between kiosks and staffed service | The Board’s January 2026 recommendation required prior administrative approval to change between kiosk-only and staffed satellite operation; it should not be treated as final Commission approval or evidence of current staffing. |
| Bonanza Casino visitor dining feedback: Published review-summary themes | Restaurantji’s summary emphasizes friendly service, food, and perceived value. These are attributed dining-feedback themes, not an independently collected review sample or a conclusion about gambling returns. |
| Bonanza Casino visitor planning: Third-party all-night schedule versus limited steakhouse service | Restaurantji lists 24-hour operation every day, while the official steakhouse page advertises a narrower dining schedule. The casino listing does not establish all-night kitchen or sportsbook-counter service. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Early prix fixe dinner for two, before tax and any gratuity | $78.00 | For a dinner date, the advertised early menu provides a straightforward food-and-wine budget; confirm availability, and keep tax and any gratuity separate. |
| Published regular prime rib price versus the early prix fixe | $11.00 | The early bundle has a lower advertised price and includes wine and dessert, but its prime rib portion is unspecified, and the regular menu is dated. This is a price comparison, not a like-for-like portion comparison. |
| Menu-listed premium for the larger regular prime rib | $16.00 | Use the published upgrade premium to decide whether the larger serving fits your appetite and dinner budget; confirm the dated prices before ordering. |
| 12-ounce prime rib menu price per listed ounce | $4.17 per listed ounce | Compare this with the larger cut’s price per listed ounce rather than assuming the smaller entrée offers better unit value. Listed weights are not measurements of edible yield. |
| 16-ounce prime rib menu price per listed ounce | $4.13 per listed ounce | The larger cut can be compared with the smaller cut on unit price, but a lower unit price does not reduce the total dinner bill. |
| Top sirloin with a baked potato, before tax and any gratuity | $45.00 | Budget the separately listed side as well as the steak. The menu includes soup or house salad with beef entrées, but this example excludes drinks, dessert, tax, and any gratuity. |
| Takeout surcharge for two entrées | $4.00 | Takeout carries an entrée-based surcharge in the dated menu, so do not assume it costs the same as dining in. |
| Automatic large-party gratuity on an illustrative eligible subtotal | $72.00 | Large groups should budget for the automatic gratuity and inspect the bill before adding a further tip. Confirm which charges form the gratuity base; this example does not calculate tax. |
Research references: bonanzacasino.com 1, bonanzacasino.com 2, cdcgaming.com, gaming.nv.gov, restaurantji.com.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-12. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
Two early-menu dinners have an advertised subtotal of $78 before tax and any gratuity. I like that planning figure because it includes wine and dessert rather than leaving most of the evening’s bill outside the headline price.
The early bundle is $11 below the dated menu’s $50 regular 12-ounce prime rib. This is not a like-for-like portion comparison: the early-menu serving has no stated weight, and the menus have different publication circumstances. It is a reason to ask about the offer, not proof of equivalent portions at a discount.
The dated menu lists 16-ounce regular prime rib at $66, a $16 upgrade. Calculated prices per listed ounce are $4.17 for the smaller cut and $4.13 for the larger one. That modest difference would not persuade me to spend more unless I wanted the larger meal. Listed weights are not measurements of edible yield.
For à la carte planning, the listed $35 top sirloin plus a $10 baked potato totals $45 before drinks, dessert, tax, and any gratuity. Beef entrées include soup du jour or house salad, but separately priced additions still matter.
The dated menu also specifies a $2 takeout surcharge per entrée, a $7 split-plate charge per entrée, and an 18% automatic gratuity for parties of eight or more. In the supplied illustrative group calculation, a $400 eligible subtotal produces a $72 gratuity, excluding tax. Confirm the current policy and calculation base, and inspect the bill before adding another tip.
Branding Iron Café
The supplied page names Branding Iron Café as the casual option. Restaurantji describes café dining with breakfast, lunch, and dinner appeal, but current official hours and prices were not supplied. Check the kitchen schedule separately from casino hours.
The available feedback makes breakfast worth considering if you want a straightforward meal rather than a steakhouse reservation. It does not establish a current buffet schedule or an all-night kitchen.
Entertainment and amenities
I would choose Bonanza for gambling and dining, not for a pool, spa, or major-show itinerary. No current recurring entertainment calendar, resort-style amenity package, or pool offering is established by the supplied sources.
If a promotion, tournament, or live event is your reason for going, check the current calendar. An old mention of karaoke or comedy is not a schedule.
Directions, parking, and practical information
Use 4720 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506 as your navigation destination. Bonanza is north of downtown, so a car or arranged ride is a more sensible planning approach than treating it as another entrance in the downtown casino circuit.
- Hours: Restaurantji lists 24-hour daily operation. Check kitchens and betting services separately.
- Parking: Current charges, valet availability, oversized-vehicle arrangements, and EV charging were not established. Ask about the service you need.
- Identification: Plan for Nevada’s 21-and-over gambling requirement and bring valid government-issued identification.
- Smoking: Café feedback about an absence of smoke smell does not establish a smoke-free casino. Ask about the gaming-floor policy if exposure affects your visit.
- Accessibility: Confirm the route from parking to your restaurant or gaming area, along with specific access needs.
- Transportation: Arrange your own ride unless the property confirms otherwise. Complimentary airport transportation is not established here.
Rewards and your gambling budget
Bonanza’s official FAQ directs visitors to Fort Reno inside the casino for players-club enrollment. Bring valid ID; signing up is free.
the published information does not establish the program’s name, earning rates, or redemption terms. Before playing, ask whether your chosen machines earn points, whether offers require activation, and when benefits expire.
I would keep dinner money separate from the gambling bankroll. A dining promotion can be a useful bonus, but chasing a credit can cost more than buying the meal outright. The early steakhouse offer is a dinner-budget option, not a reason to gamble more.
What guests praise
The strongest available feedback concerns dining, not gambling. Restaurantji’s review summary, updated October 11, 2026, emphasizes friendly service, attentive drink refills, generous breakfast dishes, and perceived value. Its descriptions of omelettes, pancakes, and bacon give the café more substance than a generic claim that the food is good.
The steakhouse’s selected testimonial also praises food and attentive service. That overlap is encouraging, but a testimonial chosen by the property deserves less weight than independently presented feedback.
The listing’s update date does not establish when every underlying visit occurred. These are subjective dining impressions from limited coverage, not a representative survey or a guarantee about every shift. They say nothing about slot returns.
Limitations and who Bonanza suits best
The available feedback does not support a reliable list of recurring casino-specific complaints. I would not turn a single remark about missing live music into a general verdict.
The practical drawbacks are clearer: Cactus Creek serves dinner only Thursday through Sunday, its early menu has a narrow 4-to-5-p.m. window, and Bonanza sits outside the downtown walking circuit. Confirm gaming inventory and sportsbook services if those are your main reasons for visiting.
Best for: visitors who prefer a smaller casino, diners considering an early steakhouse meal, and machine players comfortable making a separate stop north of downtown.
Less suitable for: a car-free downtown casino crawl, a hotel-centered resort getaway, or a trip dependent on a particular live table game or poker lineup. For broader planning, see our guide to Nevada casinos.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonanza Casino Reno open 24 hours?
Restaurantji lists 24-hour daily operation. This is third-party information and does not mean restaurants or the sportsbook counter operate around the clock.
How much is Cactus Creek’s early dinner?
The official page advertises $39 per diner from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, including salad, a listed entrée choice, a specified glass of wine, and dessert. Confirm availability; tax and gratuity treatment are not stated.
Does Bonanza Casino Reno have a sportsbook?
KTVN 2 News reported Boomer’s grand opening at Bonanza on March 2, 2026. Current counter hours, kiosk availability, and ticket-redemption arrangements should be confirmed before a betting trip.
Does Bonanza have a hotel?
The supplied property description says it has no attached hotel. Plan accommodation elsewhere; independent current lodging information was not supplied.
Does Bonanza have live poker or table games?
The supplied description says no, but current inventory is not settled by the available material. Call first if a specific live game is essential.
Is Bonanza Casino smoke-free?
The current casino smoking policy is not established here. Favorable café feedback about smoke smell is not a property-wide policy.
Sources and research note
Official property website: www.bonanzacasino.com.
An older Casino Center Reno directory was supplied, but its 2007 copyright and outdated property listings make it unsuitable for presenting current machine counts, floor size, or table inventory. Other source links appear alongside their relevant information above.
Editorial research note: Prepared from material supplied on October 12, 2026, and tightened for user editorial review. This article has not been independently fact-checked. Review themes are attributed opinions; dining comparisons retain supplied calculations, assumptions, and dated-price limitations. No personal visit, meal, gambling session, interview, or representative review survey is claimed. Current gaming inventory, sportsbook service hours, parking, smoking policy, accessibility arrangements, and rewards terms remain open questions.
You must be 21 or older to gamble.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room or on-site sportsbook.