Island View Casino Resort

I called ahead to ask if they allowed overnight RV parking. I was told yes, park in Lot 2 with the other RV's, and wait for security to come around to check me in. I arrived on a Sunday, parked in Lot 2 with other motorhomes and truck/trailers. One large motorhome had all of its slide-outs open and curtains drawn. No one came to check me in, so I dropped the wheelchair to go across the street to the non-smoking casino (according to Google Maps.) There was no crosswalk and a very fast traffic light, so I decided to Frogger-it. I almost got hit by a left-turner, so I was glad that I brought a light for the trip back. It took multiple inquires to find out where I was supposed to check in at their security desk where I met Daryl. He said that I had been misinformed, because only RV'ers staying in the hotel could overnight in the lot, but he would give me a two-day pass for the confusion. I found out two days later that this was wrong.

Everything is on the second floor, as well as the sky bridge that goes across the street to the smoking casino, which is "much better" from what people told me. I'm deathly allergic to smoke, so I couldn't go over there. All the employees I asked said that there was only a coffee shop, no deli like I had found in my research. It took some hunting, but yes, there is "The Deli" on the non-smoking side next to a tiny shopette/gift shop and restaurant (that was not open when I was there.) Lovely beach view. There are bathrooms through the "casino" part past the Cashier, as well as on the right hand side going into the sky bridge. The casino bathrooms were nice and clean, but the sky bridge bathrooms were nasty, probably because of heavier use. My waitress at The Deli, Jenna, suggested the shrimp po boy. I had never had one before. It was incredible.

It's been over thirty years since I've tried "gaming" in a casino, which consisted of playing on a slot machine for an hour waiting for a show in Vegas. They don't use coin cups anymore or pull handles (which my spinal cord injury couldn't handle now anyway.) It's a room full of computer screens facing subdued people repeatedly hitting a single button. No excitement. No games that required any thought or skill. I saw some game tables, but they were devoid of dealers and customers, and, like the bar, were not wheelchair accessible.

I tried to get help on how to get started, but I received advice like, "just pick a machine that looks interesting," and "you have the play all the lines." What the heck does that mean? I finally went back down to the security desk to find Daryl. He's the one who showed me that I didn't need coins. You put in a bill and the machine gives you a ticket to take to the next machine. He explained the buttons to me. Even though it was outside of his job, he was kind and helpful. The casino should have an assigned guide for newbies or a how-to booklet; you'd think it would be in their best financial interest.

I lost all the money I had brought for the purpose in a matter of minutes in a very anti-climatic manner. It was the most boring and disappointing experience I've had in a long time. I was told that I should join their club and get $15 free play and $15 free food. I lost the $15 in the same way, but I did get a sandwich to take home from The Deli. I would have had more fun if I had just sat at the bar and watched the football game, but again, not wheelchair accessible. I figured if I was going to brave that roadway in the dark, I'd better get a charge to my wheelchair. I went to the coffee shop, got a large soy mocha, and plugged in by a silent TV. I think that was the best soy mocha I've ever had. I was exhausted and went back to the rig upset, disappointed, and convinced that casinos were not for me. Daryl escorted me across the street with the golf cart (the casino does not have a wheelchair accessible shuttle.)

I was trapped in the motorhome all the next day due to rain, but as I got ready to leave the next morning, I decided to get definite confirmation on overnight RV parking for this review. After multiple transfers, I spoke with the Front Services department manager, Jerry White (direct office# 228.314.2113; cell# 228.424.8566.) He explained that they are working on the confusion between themselves and Security about overnight RV parking (which is controlled by Front Services, not Security.) The reality of how it works: you can get a "Day Pass," which is a 24-hour pass if you play in the casino. You can get another of these 24-hour passes for every day you play in the casino. If you do decided to stay in one of their rooms, you'll get a parking pass for the length of your stay. If Security tells you otherwise, Mr. White asked for you to call him at one of the above numbers. Mr. White was so helpful, I've decided that I will give this casino another chance when I come through next year.

There is a compound (for lack of better term) across the street behind Lot 2. There were so many police there so often, I thought it was a police station; it was not. Another "raid" on the place happened the morning I left. I have no idea what was going on there, but it made me uneasy during my stay. Also, the casino bathrooms have a "safe" disposal box for needles, so I'm guessing it's a high drug area? I didn't feel unsafe inside the casino at all. The parking lot was almost completely free of trash, and I picked up the little bit I did find. Also, there is a naval base in the direction of the compound, so when you hear the bugle in the morning and evening, please step out of your rig, face in the direction of the music, and put your hand over your heart. Thank you!

We pulled into parking lot 2 then stopped at the Casino valet station and we’re given a parking pass. They asked us to fill out name, plate # and phone #. They asked how many nights we were staying. We each (2) got a $15 gambling credit and a $15 food voucher.

Some street noise but not too bad.

Arrived, checked in with the valet desk, got my parking pass then went inside to gamble. Up to this point all was good. At 3:30am security was knocking on my window telling me I couldn’t park there!! I showed him my parking pass and he apologized saying he was doing what “the office “ told him to do. I drive and camp in a fully outfitted GMC Acadia. The only thing I don’t have is running water! Someone please explain to me the real difference between a Recreational vehicle and a sport vehicle!! I will NEVER AGAIN GO TO THIS CASINO! NEVER!!