Ellis Island Casino & Brewery is an off-Strip Las Vegas casino hotel on Koval Lane, with advertised $5 blackjack, casual dining, beer, and karaoke. Its strongest selling point is the combination: you can plan a meal and lower-minimum gambling without making a giant resort the center of your evening. It best suits budget-minded table-game players and casual diners. The main trade-offs are smoking inside the casino and a location near the Strip rather than directly on it.
Ellis Island Casino at a glance
| Casino address | 4178 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89109 |
|---|---|
| Hotel address | 4250 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89109 |
| Property type | Casino hotel |
| Table-game hours | 24 hours daily |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Gaming machines | More than 250 advertised, including reel slots, video poker, and keno |
| Live table games | Blackjack, craps, and roulette |
| Advertised starting wagers | $5 blackjack; $10 craps and roulette. Posted limits can change. |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | Yes |
| Hotel | Rooms and suites |
| Parking | Free parking advertised; race-weekend availability is limited |
| Casino smoking | Permitted |
| Rewards program | Ellis Island Passport Players Club |
| Telephone | Casino: 702-733-8901; hotel: 702-794-0888 |
| Information date | October 14, 2026 |
What kind of casino is Ellis Island?
Ellis Island occupies a useful middle ground between a neighborhood gambling stop and a visitor destination. It is east of the central Strip, with familiar table games, several casual restaurants, and entertainment in one place. You can visit for barbecue or karaoke without gambling, while table-game players have several choices for a dinner break.
I would judge Ellis Island on that combination, not on whether it can imitate a luxury Strip resort. Near the Strip and on the Strip are different things, especially when you are carrying luggage or walking in summer heat.
Returning visitors should know that the casino has undergone a substantial refresh. CDC Gaming reported on February 20, 2026, that Ellis Island had completed the second phase of its $35 million expansion and renovation plan.
Casino floor, slots, and video poker
The official gaming page advertises more than 250 machines, including reel slots, video poker, and keno. That is a combined inventory, not more than 250 reel slots plus additional video poker machines.
The mix suits visitors who want familiar machine games alongside a live pit. If you are looking for a particular cabinet or video poker variant, ask before making a special trip.
For video poker, inspect the individual machine’s pay table rather than relying on the game name. I would not use casino advertising to predict gambling results, either. Keep your gambling budget separate from dinner and lodging.
Table games: $5 blackjack and $10 craps and roulette
Ellis Island advertises blackjack, craps, and roulette, with table games operating 24 hours daily. Starting wagers are advertised at $5 for blackjack and $10 for craps and roulette. Check the table signs when you arrive, since minimums and available tables can change.
Blackjack players should look beyond the entry price. Read the blackjack payout, dealer rules, and doubling restrictions before buying in. A low minimum is useful, but it is not a complete description of the game.
The advertised maximum also depends on the table: Ellis Island lists a general blackjack maximum of $1,000, but a $100 maximum on the $5 table. That is a $900 difference in the advertised ceiling. If you plan to vary your wagers substantially, check the specific table’s limits.
What the minimums mean for your budget
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 |
|---|---|
| Ellis Island blackjack: Advertised minimum wager | $5.00 |
| Ellis Island blackjack: General maximum versus lowest-minimum table maximum | Advertised general maximum is $1,000.00; the $5.00 table has a $100.00 maximum. |
| Ellis Island craps: Advertised minimum, odds allowance, and additional game feature | $10.00 minimum, 10x odds, and Bonus Craps advertised. |
| Ellis Island roulette: Advertised minimum wager | $10.00 |
| Ellis Island table games: Operating hours | Table games are advertised as operating around the clock. |
| Ellis Island machine gaming: Published inventory and game categories | More than 250 machines, including reel slots, video poker, and keno. |
| Ellis Island sports wagering: Published weekly availability | Sportsbook wagering is advertised seven days a week; this passage does not give daily sportsbook hours. |
| Village Pub & Café: Advertised steak-special price and round-the-clock dining | The dining page advertises a $9.99 Steak Special and 24/7 cravings; qualifying terms are not stated in this passage. |
| The Front Yard: Dining and sports-viewing amenities | Two-story brewpub with rotating craft beers, house-smoked food, and an 18-foot screen. |
| Sip Stay Play hotel package: Published inclusions | $25.00 dining credit, two specialty cocktails, $25.00 Free Play, a karaoke line-skip pass, and free parking; no package price is supplied. |
| Ellis Island 2026 race-weekend parking: Hotel-guest guarantee versus other visitor availability | Hotel guests are guaranteed one parking spot; remaining parking is first come, first served during the event. |
| Ellis Island 2026 race-weekend access: Driving versus walking recommendation | The event FAQ recommends walking and advises drivers to arrive before the 1:00 p.m. road closures. |
| The Front Yard race-weekend livestream party: Seating policy | General-admission tables and seating are not assigned and are first come, first served. |
| Ellis Island race-weekend viewing platform: Guaranteed-access condition | The FAQ ties guaranteed access to purchasing a Beer Garden Livestream Watch Party ticket; the platform’s free label is not an unconditional access guarantee. |
| Ellis Island casino: Smoking policy stated in the race-weekend FAQ | Smoking is permitted inside the casino, with designated smoking areas also available on the premises. |
| Ellis Island official F1 ticket-package benefits: Redemption location and membership requirement | Package inclusions are redeemed at the casino’s Player’s Club and require Passport Players Club membership. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrative $100.00 bankroll divided by the advertised blackjack minimum | 20 minimum-wager units | Use this as a bankroll-sizing comparison, not a prediction of how many hands you can play; doubles, splits, wins, and losses change the amount available. |
| Same illustrative $100.00 bankroll divided by the advertised roulette minimum | 10 minimum-wager units | Compare this with blackjack to see how the posted minimum affects the same starting budget; it does not compare winning chances or expected losses. |
| Illustrative maximum odds stake under the advertised craps multiplier | $100.00 of additional odds stake | Taking the full advertised odds allowance can require substantially more money than the base wager. Confirm which bets qualify; this calculates an additional stake, not a payout. |
| Difference between the advertised blackjack table maximums | $900.00 of maximum-wager difference | The lowest-minimum blackjack table also has a lower ceiling. Players planning larger wagers should check the specific table’s limits before buying in. |
| Advertised steak-special food subtotal for an illustrative pair of diners | $19.98 before tax, tips, drinks, and extras | Use this only as a food-subtotal comparison. Confirm the special’s eligibility and availability before ordering; the supplied passage does not explain its qualifying conditions. |
Research references: ellisislandcasino.com 1, ellisislandcasino.com 2, ellisislandcasino.com 3, ellisislandcasino.com 4.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-14. 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.
An illustrative $100 gambling budget represents 20 minimum-wager units at the advertised $5 blackjack table, compared with 10 units at the advertised $10 roulette minimum. I find that more useful than simply calling a casino inexpensive: it shows how much of the same starting budget each minimum commits.
These units do not predict how many hands or spins you will play. Wins, losses, blackjack doubles, splits, and additional wagers change the money available. The comparison does not establish which game offers better winning chances or lower expected losses.
Craps needs an extra caution. Ellis Island advertises a $10 minimum, 10x odds, and Bonus Craps. On an illustrative eligible $10 base wager, taking the full advertised 10x odds allowance means an additional $100 stake. That is money wagered, not a payout. Confirm which bets qualify, and remember that an odds allowance is an option, not a spending requirement.
Poker room and sportsbook
Ellis Island has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. It offers video poker machines, but not live poker cash games or tournaments.
The property has an on-site retail sportsbook, identified in its August 17, 2023 property announcement. The current gaming page advertises sportsbook wagering seven days a week. Check daily wagering hours separately from the 24-hour table-game schedule.
The name to look for is Boomer’s Sportsbook. The Las Vegas Review-Journal’s August 2025 expansion report identified a permanent home for the sportsbook in the new gaming space.
Separate betting from watching: the sportsbook handles wagers, while The Front Yard offers food, beer, and a large screen. Sports viewing does not mean a venue itself takes bets.
Ellis Island Hotel: compare the complete booking cost
Ellis Island offers rooms and suites at 4250 Koval Lane, its separate hotel address. Staying on the property puts its dining, gambling, and karaoke close at hand, while keeping you near the central Strip rather than directly on it.
I would compare it as a practical base, with particular attention to your itinerary. A lower room price becomes less compelling if you need repeated paid rides elsewhere.
The Sip Stay Play package advertises a $25 dining credit, two specialty cocktails at The Deck Rooftop Bar, $25 in Free Play, a karaoke line-skip pass, and free parking. Compare its full booking total with the room-only alternative, and read the redemption terms. Dining credit and Free Play are different benefits, not interchangeable cash.
Before booking, check taxes, any mandatory fees, the incidental deposit, cancellation terms, and check-in and check-out times. If you need an accessible room, discuss the exact features and routes to the casino and restaurants with the hotel.
Restaurants and bars
Dining is a substantial reason to visit without a gambling budget. The official dining page lists these options:
- Village Pub & Café: Round-the-clock sit-down dining with American and Italian favorites, including the advertised steak special.
- Ellis Island BBQ: Chicken and ribs for a planned meal. Check serving hours rather than assuming it follows the café’s schedule.
- The Front Yard: A two-story brewpub with rotating craft beers, house-smoked food, and an 18-foot screen. This would be my first choice for a group combining food, drinks, and sports viewing.
- Metro Pizza: Pizza, including slices, for a shorter food stop.
- Via Focaccia: Fast-casual Italian sandwiches and Sicilian favorites, rather than another pizza restaurant.
- The Deck: A rooftop-bar option, also included in the hotel package’s cocktail offer.
The $9.99 steak special
Village Pub & Café advertises a $9.99 steak special. Ask about eligibility, availability, and redemption conditions before ordering. Do not assume the price is unconditional or that 24-hour café service makes every offer available at every hour.
For an illustrative pair of diners ordering two qualifying specials, the advertised food subtotal is $19.98, before tax, tips, drinks, and extras. It is a meal-budget starting point, not the final bill.
My advice is to choose the venue before choosing the deal. The café suits a straightforward meal; The Front Yard suits lingering over food and beer; pizza or a sandwich suits a shorter break. Those differences can matter more than a small saving.
Karaoke and sports viewing
Karaoke gives Ellis Island another reason to visit beyond gambling and dinner. Check the schedule before arranging your night around it. The hotel package’s line-skip pass is a specific inclusion, not a statement of general admission rules.
For a major game at The Front Yard, ask about reservations and special arrangements. A large screen suits a game-day gathering, but it is not the feature I would prioritize for a quiet conversation.
The Center Bar provides another sports-viewing option inside the casino. The Las Vegas Sun’s September 2025 report describes 25 bar seats with bar-top games facing a 50-foot-by-11-foot LED screen.
Directions, free parking, and smoking
The casino is at 4178 Koval Lane, east of the central Strip near Flamingo Road. Use 4250 Koval Lane for the hotel. Call 702-733-8901 for the casino or 702-794-0888 for the hotel.
When deciding whether to walk, start at your actual hotel room or current location, not at the Strip’s curb. Getting out of a large resort adds walking before the off-Strip portion begins. Heat, luggage, and mobility needs can make a ride more sensible.
Ellis Island advertises free parking, a useful cost advantage for drivers. Free does not mean a space is always available.
Smoking is permitted inside the casino. If smoke is a deal-breaker, I would choose another gambling stop rather than hope the lower minimums compensate for it. Confirm hotel-room and restaurant policies separately.
November 19–21, 2026 race-weekend access
The property’s 2026 Turn 4 FAQ warns of road closures beginning at 1:00 p.m. each race day and very limited parking. It recommends walking and advises drivers to arrive before the closures. Registered hotel guests are guaranteed one parking space during the event; remaining spaces are first come, first served.
Check the event’s traffic map and access instructions before leaving. The Front Yard livestream party has general-admission, first-come seating, so a ticket does not reserve a particular table.
The viewing platform also needs careful reading. Although described as free, the FAQ ties guaranteed access to purchasing a Beer Garden Livestream Watch Party ticket. I would not build a race-night plan around unconditional walk-up access.
Ellis Island Passport Players Club
The Passport Players Club advertises rewards that can include Free Play, prizes, hotel stays, and other offers, subject to club terms. Ask about membership before gambling or redeeming a club-linked promotion.
Separate an immediate benefit from one requiring qualifying play. Find out what you must do, when you can redeem it, and when it expires. My standing advice: use the card for gambling you already planned, but do not enlarge your budget to chase a meal discount.
Who Ellis Island is best for
Ellis Island suits budget-minded table-game players and visitors who want casual food, beer, and karaoke near the central Strip without making a megaresort the evening’s main event. Its advertised $5 blackjack, round-the-clock tables, and free parking give it practical appeal, while several dining choices make a nongambling stop worthwhile. Choose another property if casino smoke or an off-Strip hotel location would undermine your trip, and treat race weekend as a separate logistics exercise rather than an ordinary visit.
For other options around the state, see our guide to Nevada casinos.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ellis Island Casino on the Las Vegas Strip?
No. It is on Koval Lane, east of the central Strip near Flamingo Road. Walking convenience depends on your starting point, the weather, and your mobility needs.
Does Ellis Island still advertise $5 blackjack?
Yes. Its gaming page advertises $5 blackjack with a $100 maximum on that table. Check posted limits, availability, and game rules when you arrive.
Are Ellis Island’s table games open 24 hours?
Yes. Table games are advertised as operating 24 hours daily. Restaurant, karaoke, and sportsbook hours should be checked separately.
Does Ellis Island have a poker room or sportsbook?
It has no dedicated poker room, but it does have a retail sportsbook. Video poker machines are a separate offering.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Ellis Island?
You must be at least 21 to gamble. Bring valid government-issued identification.
Is parking free at Ellis Island?
Free parking is advertised. During the November 19–21, 2026 race weekend, spaces are limited, with one guaranteed for registered hotel guests and remaining parking first come, first served.
Is Ellis Island Casino smoke-free?
No. Smoking is permitted inside the casino. Check hotel-room and dining-venue policies separately.
Is Ellis Island worth visiting without gambling?
Yes, if its casual restaurants, beer, karaoke, or sports-viewing settings fit your plans. Gambling does not need to be the purpose of the visit.
Information date
Information date: October 14, 2026. Prices, promotions, table limits, and venue schedules can change. Check current terms before booking or making a special trip.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.