Mardi Gras Casino & Resort is a casino hotel and greyhound racetrack in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, near Charleston. Its main appeal is a gaming-focused getaway with slots, table games, a Betly retail sportsbook, and a 150-room hotel on one property. I see it as a better fit for an adult casino evening or overnight stay than a sightseeing-centered vacation. The trade-off is a convenient casino base outside downtown rather than a walkable city stay.
Mardi Gras Casino: quick facts
| Address | 1 Greyhound Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313 |
|---|---|
| Property type | Casino resort and greyhound racetrack |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Casino games | Slots and table games |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | Yes, Betly |
| Other gaming attraction | Greyhound racing; check the schedule |
| Hotel | 150 advertised rooms, including suites |
| Rewards program | Ember Rewards |
| Official website | Mardi Gras Casino & Resort |
| Information collected | October 12, 2026 |
What kind of casino is Mardi Gras?
The New Orleans-inspired name supplies the theme, but the useful way to think about Mardi Gras is as a regional West Virginia gambling property with an attached hotel. Casino games, sports wagering, and greyhound racing give it more variety than a machines-only stop.
For me, the hotel is the deciding feature. A short slot visit does not require a room, but dinner, drinks, and a longer casino evening make staying on-site more appealing. Weigh that convenience against what you want to do outside the casino.
Comparing locations? Start with our guide to West Virginia casinos.
Casino floor: slots, video poker, and table games
Mardi Gras advertises slots and table games. Plan around that broad mix rather than an old machine count, a particular slot title, or a remembered table minimum. Inventories and staffed games can change, and an open casino does not necessarily mean your preferred table is operating.
Slots and video poker
Slots receive repeated positive mentions in the supplied guest comments. One visitor praises the selection, while another describes an enjoyable birthday outing playing slots.
My usual advice applies: check the total wager before pressing spin. A small denomination does not necessarily mean a cheap spin once multiple credits and feature bets enter the picture. Set your session budget before you start, rather than letting the machine set it for you.
If video poker is your preferred game, ask about the current selection and read the pay table before playing. Someone else’s jackpot, or disappointment with a session, tells you nothing useful about your next result.
Table games
The property promotes table games, but this guide does not provide a current game-by-game lineup or dependable minimums. Before a table-focused trip, ask which games will be staffed and what limits apply during your arrival window.
Read the posted rules before buying in. At blackjack, for example, the natural-blackjack payout matters alongside the minimum. Poker-themed casino table games are also different from player-versus-player poker: a familiar word on the felt does not make the table a poker room.
Does Mardi Gras have a poker room?
Mardi Gras Casino & Resort has no dedicated poker room. Its website advertises poker events, but those should not be treated as a standing player-versus-player room or a guaranteed cash-game schedule. Ask about any specific advertised event before traveling for it.
Betly Sportsbook: minimums and ticket rules
Mardi Gras has an on-property Betly retail sportsbook. Its published sportsbook house rules describe a wagering counter, cash-funded bets, and retail limits, so this is more than a sports bar showing games.
The rules distinguish a $5 retail minimum from a general minimum of $0.10. The retail minimum is 50 times the general figure. For an in-person visit, that distinction is more useful than the smallest number in the document.
Cash bets, bonus bets, and combination-ticket costs
I pulled together the supplied comparisons because a headline stake is not always the amount returned, and a stake per combination is not always the cost of the whole ticket. These use published rules and illustrative assumptions, not firsthand sportsbook test results.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sportsbook: General minimum versus retail minimum | The rules distinguish a $0.10 general minimum from a $5.00 retail minimum and publish a $250,000.00 maximum payout. |
| Sportsbook: Cash-bet versus bonus-bet return | Winning bonus bets credit winnings without returning their promotional stake. |
| Sportsbook: Bonus-credit expiration versus winning-ticket expiration | Unused bonus bets expire seven days after issuance; winning sports wagering tickets expire one year after the event. |
| Sportsbook: Winning-ticket deadline | The redemption deadline runs from the event date, rather than the purchase date. |
| Sportsbook: Redemption without a return visit | Winning tickets can be mailed for redemption using the instructions on the ticket. |
| Sportsbook: Large winning-ticket payment timing | Winning tickets over $50,000.00 may face a verification delay rather than immediate payment. |
| Sportsbook: Prices across betting channels | The rules allow different prices across business channels, so identical pricing should not be assumed. |
| Sportsbook: Ticket versus displayed odds | Players must check their ticket; the official wager may differ from the odds display. |
| Sportsbook: Three-way result versus draw-no-bet settlement | A draw loses a team selection in the three-way result market, unlike draw-no-bet, which refunds the stake. |
| Sportsbook: Draw-no-bet refund policy | Draw-no-bet excludes overtime unless otherwise stated and refunds the full stake on a draw. |
| Sportsbook: Standard parlay versus Bet Builder void-leg treatment | A standard parlay has its odds recalculated when a leg is voided or canceled. |
| Sportsbook: Bet Builder void-leg and cash-out policies | Unlike standard parlay recalculation, a void Bet Builder selection voids the entire bet. Bet Builder bets do not offer cash out. |
| Sportsbook: Cash-out availability | Previous availability does not guarantee that cash out will remain available for another wager or later in an event. |
| Sportsbook: Each-way stake versus selected stake | An each-way wager requires two stakes: one to win and one to place. |
| Mardi Gras Casino Hotel: Standard queen room versus junior suite bedding | Both categories advertise two queen beds, so the junior-suite designation does not itself add beds. |
| Mardi Gras Casino Hotel: Junior suite configuration | Junior suites advertise two queen beds, upgraded bath amenities, and an in-room safe. The opened material provides no room-price comparison. |
| Mardi Gras Casino Hotel: Presidential suite versus standard-room layout | The Presidential Suite advertises a living and bedroom area, a king bed, and a sleeper sofa; dining areas are not promised in every suite. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrative winning $25.00 cash wager at decimal odds of 2.50: total return | $62.50 | A winning cash wager returns the stake as well as the profit. Compare this with the bonus-bet example before treating promotional credit as cash. |
| Illustrative winning $25.00 bonus bet at decimal odds of 2.50: credited winnings | $37.50 | At the same odds and face value, a winning bonus bet credits less than the total return from a cash wager because the bonus stake is not returned. |
| Published retail minimum relative to the general Betly minimum | 50 times the general minimum | For an in-person visit, budget around the retail minimum rather than the smaller general minimum printed in the same rules. |
| Illustrative three-pick doubles-only round robin at $5.00 per combination | $15.00 of total stake | The stake shown per combination is not the total ticket cost. Check the final bet slip and whether this format is available through your chosen betting channel. |
| Illustrative full three-pick Trixie at $5.00 per combination | $20.00 of total stake | A full Trixie costs more than doubles-only at the same stake per combination because it also includes a triple. Verify the selected format before confirming. |
Research references: mardigrascasinowv.com 1, mardigrascasinowv.com 2.
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.
In the supplied illustration, a winning $25 cash wager at decimal odds of 2.50 returns $62.50, including the original stake. A winning $25 bonus bet at the same odds credits $37.50, because the promotional stake is not returned. This is not an advertised offer or a promise of eligibility. My takeaway: a bonus bet’s face value should not be mistaken for withdrawable cash.
With an illustrative $5 stake per combination, a three-pick doubles-only round robin costs $15. A full three-pick Trixie, which adds a triple, costs $20. Check the selected format and final total, and confirm availability through your chosen betting channel.
- Read the ticket immediately: The official wager may differ from the displayed proposition. Check the selection, odds, and stake before leaving the counter.
- Watch the deadlines: Published terms give unused bonus bets seven days from issuance. Winning sports tickets expire one year after the event date.
- Mail-in redemption is available: Follow the instructions on the winning ticket.
- Do not count on cash out: Availability is not guaranteed, and the published Bet Builder rules exclude it.
- Understand voided selections: Standard parlay odds are recalculated when a leg is voided. A void selection in a Bet Builder voids the entire bet under the published rules.
Confirm counter hours and applicable terms before a sports-focused trip. I would also compare actual prices rather than assume different betting channels offer identical odds.
Hotel: choosing among rooms and suites
The property advertises a 150-room hotel with Deluxe Double Queen, Deluxe King, Deluxe Junior Suite, Presidential Suite, and Executive Suite categories. Standard-room descriptions include televisions, work desks, and in-room safes.
The useful comparison is not simply “room versus suite.” Both the Deluxe Double Queen and Deluxe Junior Suite advertise two queen beds. Moving up to the junior suite does not, by itself, buy additional beds. Compare the layout, amenities, and total rate before paying for the suite label.
The Presidential Suite offers a living and bedroom area, a king bed, and a sleeper sofa. Some have dining areas, so request that feature rather than assume every reservation includes it.
I would choose the hotel primarily to simplify a casino evening. If most of your itinerary involves Charleston sightseeing and restaurants, compare a downtown base instead.
Before booking, check the complete price, including taxes and any mandatory charges, along with the deposit or card authorization, cancellation deadline, bed configuration, and check-in and check-out times. An old starting rate is not a promise of today’s price.
Restaurants, late dining, and racing
Mardi Gras advertises on-site dining. One supplied guest comment praises the food, rooms, and service, but that limited report is not enough to call a particular restaurant a destination in its own right.
For a sit-down steak dinner, the French Quarter’s published menu lists steaks from a $25 baseball-cut sirloin to a $60 bone-in ribeye. That is a starting point for budgeting, before drinks, tax, and tip. Confirm current prices before planning around them.
Cafe Orleans publishes hours of 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Recheck the schedule, but keep it in mind when dinner turns into a longer casino evening. Casino hours and kitchen hours are two different things.
Greyhound racing is another advertised attraction and receives a favorable mention in the supplied comments. Obtain the actual schedule if racing is central to your visit. Treat entertainment and promotions the same way: plan around your dates, not an offer someone received on a previous trip.
Directions, parking, and practical visit advice
Use 1 Greyhound Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313 in your navigation app. West Virginia Tourism’s property listing identifies exits 47 or 47A off Interstate 64. Use the street address for the final approach rather than relying on the exit number alone.
The property is outside downtown Charleston. Allow for travel between the casino and city attractions rather than treating them as one walkable destination.
- Age and identification: You must be at least 21 to gamble. Bring valid government-issued identification.
- Schedules: Confirm casino hours and the operating times of your preferred tables, sportsbook, restaurants, and racing.
- Parking and access: Ask about parking charges, accessible entrances, valet availability, or EV charging if those affect your plans.
- Smoking: If smoke exposure matters, ask about the current casino policy and hotel room location before booking.
- Transportation: Arrange a return ride before drinking if you are not staying on-site. Do not assume an airport shuttle or immediate late-night rideshare availability.
- Budget: Keep gambling money separate from the room, meals, transportation, and money needed to get home.
My value test is simple: does the on-site room remove enough inconvenience to justify its full price? That is a better comparison than hoping a gambling win will pay for the getaway.
Ember Rewards
The property’s website identifies its loyalty program as Ember Rewards. Ask the rewards desk about enrollment, earning rules, redemption, and offers that apply to you.
One supplied reviewer enjoyed promotional benefits, but those offers should not be assumed available today. Collect rewards on play you already intended to make. Extra gambling to chase a meal credit or room benefit can turn a perk into an expensive purchase.
Guest reviews: praise and complaints
The supplied Google review excerpts displayed by Birdeye contain repeated positive mentions of slot entertainment and selection. Another visitor likes the rooms, service, and food, while a separate comment highlights racing and promotions.
The meaningful disagreement is within one visitor’s account: praise for hospitality, but dissatisfaction with machine jackpots. I would separate those judgments. Room comfort and service can inform a hotel decision; disappointment with jackpots does not establish payout rates or prove that machines are “tight.”
These excerpts are a small window into guest experiences, not a representative survey. They support a modest positive impression of slots, with more limited encouragement about the hotel and dining. They do not establish recurring conclusions about room noise, smoke, crowds, or long-term value.
Who is Mardi Gras Casino best for?
Best for: Adults making a casino-centered visit in the Charleston area, particularly slot players who want an overnight option and visitors interested in sports wagering or scheduled greyhound racing.
Consider another base: Travelers prioritizing walks to city restaurants and attractions, or a vacation built around non-gambling resort activities. I would choose the itinerary first and let the hotel follow it.
Our recommendation
Mardi Gras suits adults who want gambling, dinner, and an overnight stay centered on one property in Cross Lanes. The available guest comments repeatedly favor slot entertainment, with more limited praise for rooms, service, and food; dissatisfaction with jackpots is a subjective gambling complaint, not evidence of poor payouts. I would choose it for a convenient casino getaway, while travelers prioritizing walkable Charleston sightseeing should compare a downtown base and weigh the extra travel against sleeping near the casino.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mardi Gras Casino have a sportsbook?
Yes. It has a Betly retail sportsbook. The published rules list a $5 retail minimum; confirm counter hours before visiting.
Does Mardi Gras have a poker room?
No. It has no dedicated poker room. Advertised poker events should not be confused with an ongoing player-versus-player room.
How old do you have to be to gamble?
You must be at least 21. Bring valid government-issued identification.
Does Mardi Gras Casino have a hotel?
Yes. The property advertises 150 rooms, including standard king and double-queen rooms and several suite categories.
Is greyhound racing available?
The property advertises greyhound racing. Check your intended date rather than assuming races run whenever the casino is open.
Can I redeem a winning sports ticket after leaving town?
The published rules allow mail-in redemption. Follow the ticket instructions and note that winning tickets expire one year after the event date.
Sources and information date
Information was collected October 12, 2026. Sources are linked at their relevant uses above; the property’s legacy website address is also retained. The wagering comparisons use supplied calculations and clearly labeled illustrative stakes, not firsthand betting results. Check date-sensitive schedules, booking terms, menus, and offers directly before traveling.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.