How New York Casinos Make the Best Entertainment Venues
Casinos were once all about gambling, but today’s casino resorts offer a wide range of entertainment options. From concerts featuring top-name superstars to the ultimate in fine dining, waterparks, and iconic locations, New York’s casinos rank among the best entertainment venues in the country.
New York State has always had a reputation for providing high-quality entertainment, and its casino complexes fall into that category.
According to Casinos.com, which ranks the top online casinos in the US, three New York State casinos make it into the top 20 of the 55 ranked highest in entertainment. Here are the three in detail, with justification for their place on the scoreboard.
Turning Stone Resort Casino
Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, upstate New York, comes in at number three on the list with an entertainment score of 33.74%. The highest-ranked Las Vegas one on the list, Red Rock, comes in at fourth, suggesting New York State has the edge over Nevada.
Turning Stone Resort Casino is operated by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. It ranks so high on the list thanks to its vast number of on-site entertainment venues, especially the Event Center and the Showroom.
Entertainment at Turning Stone Resort Casino
The Event Center seats 5,000 and hosts an array of events like concerts, comedy acts, family shows, and live boxing matches. Superstar performers at the Event Center have included Barry Manilow, the Beach Boys, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood.
The Showroom is a more intimate venue with a different representation of talent, featuring tribute bands and performers better suited for a cozier venue.
The third entertainment offering is Exit 33, five venues in one area offering a party vibe every day of the year. The five venues are:
The Gig - featuring rock performances
Tin Rooster Dancehall & BBQ - try your hand at country-style line dancing
Turquoise Tiger - handcrafted cocktails coupled with trendy live music
Alchemist Bar - you’re in control of whatever bespoke cocktail you can dream up
NY Rec & Social Club - upstate NY’s ultimate sports bar
Other Reasons to Visit Turning Stone Resort Casino
There are two signature restaurants at Turning Stone Resort Casino, both with a Forbes Four-Star Award rating. Wildflowers, nestled in The Lodge, takes fine dining to new heights with a menu featuring locally sourced produce, while TS Steakhouse features a double-height dining room with an open bar that offers epic sunset views.
And for those seeking something unique, Turning Stone Resort Casino also has a 3,000-acre on-site hunting preserve and a salmon river fishing area.
Resorts World Catskills
Ninety miles from New York City is Resorts World Catskills, which is ranked 16th on the entertainment list. Its proximity to the city makes it an ideal weekend getaway. Apart from gaming, here’s what else is on offer.
Entertainment at Resorts World Catskills
The big draw at Resorts World Catskills is the 2,500-seat RW Epicenter. It hosts concerts, comedy shows, WWE events, and music festivals. Tribute shows are the main attractions here, featuring tributes to performers like Whitney Houston, The Supremes, Barbra Streisand, and Tony Bennett, along with themed shows based on music from the ‘50s and ‘60s and Grease, all scheduled for the 2026 season.
Located inside the sportsbook on the casino gaming floor is Bar 360, a sports bar that hosts live bands on weekends.
A third entertainment venue is the Empire Lounge, a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge with late-night DJ sets on selected Saturdays.
Other Reasons to Visit Resorts World Catskills
Resorts World Catskills is home to Cellaio, where celebrity chef Scott Conant serves the finest USDA 100% Certified Black Angus beef in the state.
If you feel like getting wet, Resorts World Catskills has New York State’s largest indoor waterpark, covering 80,000 sq ft.
Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino, ranked 17th on the list, is the largest New York hotel outside of Manhattan, and from an entertainment point of view, the offerings are extensive.
Entertainment at Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
The Events Center is the 2,400-seat venue where concerts, boxing matches, comedy legends, and large productions are held. Acts confirmed for the 2026 year include Cheap Trick, Jay Leno, and Arsenio Hall, BKB 53: The Harder They Fall, and Drag Bingo hosted by Ru Paul’s Drag Race superstars.
The more intimate Bear’s Den has 440 seats and will feature Rob Schneider and a Paul McCartney tribute band in its 2026 line-up.
Inside the casino is Stir nightclub, where live bands and DJs play every Friday and Saturday night.
Other Reasons to Visit Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino
The Western Door Steakhouse offers some of the finest steaks in the region. The head chef handpicks farms, ranches, and sustainable fisheries for all the restaurant’s produce.
Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino is only a 15-minute walk from the iconic Niagara Falls; many rooms in the hotel offer falls views, and the hotel concierge can confirm Maid of the Mist tours for you.
New York Casino Complexes for the Win
New Yorkers can take their pick from three excellent entertainment casino complexes. While Turning Stone Resort in Verona outranks every Las Vegas casino on the list, city-dwellers looking for a weekend escape will find an entertainment mecca at Resorts World Catskills. And for those who like their entertainment paired with an iconic view, Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino is almost impossible to pass up.