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Things to do 4 ways to do it

Casinos in Aruba

Aruba runs casinos the way some islands run beach bars—everywhere, late, and built into the resorts. Most floors sit on the Palm Beach high-rise strip, though downtown Oranjestad has two waterfront rooms that pull a younger, 18+ crowd. You'll find the same table games and slot banks at every property, so the real choice is between sprawling 24-hour floors with serious poker action and smaller hotel casinos where you can grab a seat at blackjack without waiting.

Updated June 2026

Pick your way

The ways to do it — honestly compared.

Way 1

Big 24/7 floors downtown

Wind Creek runs the two largest casinos on the island, both in Oranjestad on the marina. Crystal is the biggest floor in Aruba and runs around the clock; Seaport sits right on the water and draws a younger crowd. Both are 18+, so you'll see a different energy than the resort casinos up north.

Why you'll love it

  • Open 24/7—you can play at breakfast or 3 a.m.
  • Largest selection of tables and slots on the island
  • Waterfront location, easier to combine with downtown bar-hopping
  • 18+ minimum age

Worth knowing

  • Requires a trip into Oranjestad if you're staying on Palm Beach
  • Can feel more local/commuter than resort-vacation
  • Bigger crowds during peak hours

Best for: Night owls, younger players, anyone staying downtown or willing to drive for the biggest selection

Typical price: Free entry

Way 2

Top-rated resort floors on Palm Beach

The Ritz-Carlton and Glitz (inside La Cabana) are the highest-rated casinos on the strip, both above 4.3 stars. Ritz skews polished and climate-controlled; Glitz runs quieter and less chaotic than the mega-floors. Both offer the standard table games and slots without the overwhelm of a Stellaris-sized room.

Why you'll love it

  • Highest guest ratings on the island
  • Smaller, more manageable floors—easier to find a seat
  • Resort-attached, so you can walk from your room
  • Less noise and crowd stress than the biggest casinos

Worth knowing

  • Fewer tables and machines than the largest properties
  • Can close earlier than 24-hour operations
  • May feel sleepier on slow nights

Best for: Resort guests who want a solid couple hours of play without committing to a big casino night

Typical price: Free entry

Way 3

Massive Palm Beach anchor casinos

Stellaris (Marriott) is the biggest casino on the Palm Beach strip—hundreds of slots, full table spread, late hours. Alhambra (Divi) is the only one that opens early afternoon and stays past 4 a.m., which helps if you're jet-lagged or keeping weird hours. Both are sprawling, air-conditioned, and built for volume.

Why you'll love it

  • Huge selection of slots and table games
  • Alhambra runs the longest hours on the strip (afternoon to 4 a.m.+)
  • Easy walk from most Palm Beach resorts
  • Always action, even late

Worth knowing

  • Can feel overwhelming—lots of machines, lots of noise
  • Crowds on weekend nights
  • Lower ratings than smaller, boutique floors

Best for: Serious players who want maximum choice and don't mind a big, busy floor

Typical price: Free entry

Way 4

Convenient hotel casinos

Every major Palm Beach resort has its own casino—Hyatt, Hilton, Orchid (Marriott), Princess (Embassy Suites). These are smaller, lower-key floors where you can play an hour of blackjack or slots without the production of a destination casino. Ratings vary (Hilton and Orchid sit around 3.6, Excelsior at Holiday Inn is 2.8), but they're all walkable from your room.

Why you'll love it

  • Zero commute if you're staying at the resort
  • Quieter, less intimidating for casual players
  • Easy to pop in and out between dinner and beach
  • 18+ at most properties

Worth knowing

  • Limited table selection, fewer machines
  • Can feel dead on slow nights
  • Lower ratings suggest hit-or-miss service and maintenance
  • May close earlier than the big operations

Best for: Resort guests who want low-commitment play without leaving the property

Typical price: Free entry

Before you go

  • Most Aruba casinos are 18+, not 21—check the specific property if you're traveling with younger adults.
  • Alhambra is the only Palm Beach casino that opens in the afternoon and stays past 4 a.m., which matters if you're arriving jet-lagged or keeping late hours.
  • Wind Creek Crystal downtown is the largest floor on the island and runs 24/7—go there if you want maximum table and slot selection at any hour.
  • The highest-rated casinos (Ritz-Carlton at 4.3, Glitz at 4.5) are smaller and quieter than the anchor properties—better for a couple relaxed hours than a big night out.
  • Resort casinos on Palm Beach let you walk straight from your room, but the trade-off is fewer tables and machines; decide if convenience beats selection.
  • Excelsior (Holiday Inn) has the lowest rating on the strip at 2.8—skip it unless you're literally staying there and need something to do after dinner.

The operators

Who does it best.

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