We are spending a few days in NO at the Riverside Hilton courtesy of Harrah's (nothing like FREE rooms, as if they really come free). Has anyone here gambled at Harrah's or eaten in their restaurants? Would you share your stories or favorites? We plan on doing some French Quarter touristy things, but I've read nearly everything the forum search has to offer on that...at least up to 350 messages! It's great having this info at one's fingertips.
Now if I can get something on the casino and its machines...(I'm mainly a video poker player.)

We were in N.O. the Christmas before last. They were having a freakish cold snap, so we spent plenty of evenings (all 4 of them) in this casino. We played slots, video poker, craps, Let it Ride and roulette and never won a dime! Hopefully you'll have better luck. Have fun!

Harrah's NO has a reputation of being very TIGHT. Few winners. The MS Gulf Coast is where many local gamblers go. NO also has 3 riverboat casinos but none are in the Quarter

Add a third vote for the tightest casino I have ever played in. I gamble for fun only and expect to lose my money. However, I want to be able to play on it for a little while. I could not do that here. Put the money in...watch it disappear! I would have more fun with a coke machine, at least a coke would come out right? The place is beautiful. You might as well go in and hand your money to the nearest employee there and leave. It is worth a look though, it is beautiful inside.

Spent a few hours there in Feb - not Mardi Gras. It was dead on a Friday night. Didn't spend much or win much. Video poker was typical of what I've seen other places. Place was clean and had nice decor if that matters to you. Didn't eat there either.

I play video poker too and Harrah's has the worst payoffs I've ever seen. In fact just using the word "payoff" is a joke. As for their restaurants, I wouldn't consider eating in a casino (even if the meal is comped) when New Orleans has some of the world's best food!

In the same Hilton a few months ago, and visited Harrah's - my goodness, but it is a monstrosity, and situated right in the middlle of everything. Classic eye sore. Loud rock music booming out into the street 20 hours a day. Just a monster building. Another boring casino, and one with a very low payout. I simply cannot imagine anyone would be interested in their food - my god, remember, you're in NO, NO, NO. The French Quarter is only a few blocks away. Well, sure, if you happen to have a real thing going on the nickel slots, go ahead, knock yourself out, order a sandwich.

I work just down the street from Harrah's. I generally do not gamble so have only been in the casino a few times. Like the others I too have never won anything but then I did not lose much either. As for food, I would not really recommend eating there given that there are so many other great eateries in N.O. (and in walking distance of the casino). However there is a Lucky Dog in the casino as well as Popeyes (luv dat chicken from Popeyes!!) I must however take exception to the earlier poster that described it as a "monstrosity" and "a classic eyesore", it is quite obvious that that poster had never seen what the casino replaced. The "old convention center" that used to occupy the spot was the worst in architectural design and if I remember correctly had sat vacant for over a decade. It was the eptiome of disgusting. At least the new casino (well not so new now)is lit up at night making the area much safer and the landscaping, with royal palms, has actually, in my opinon, made the area a pleasant one to walk through as opposed to avoid. In fact a debate is on going now about placing trees along Canal Street to improve its trashy appearance, including additional royal palms. But this being N.O. don't expect anything soon ,we do tend to take our time.

To the contrary, I'm very aware of the previous problems - BUT somebody must have paid off somebody to get a building permit for that BARN. It is a monster, just gigantic dimensions. Stuck right dab in the middle of an open area. Blocks all the sightlines. Relentlessly ugly facade. Loud rock music booming from every pore, ongoing, sheer ear splitting. Enormous portico with elongated multi-wheel white lizard parked beneath it to limo folks around in, choke, style. Even the driver is huge. Inside the dim hours of evening never wane ... it is an atmosphere frozen in time and motion. Other than that, it is a wonderful edifice. It reminds me of that biblical passage - I came as a stranger and they took me in.

Well of course someone got paid off, this is New Orleans after all. In particular, the culprits receiving the payolla were none other than former Governor Edwin Edwards and son. Hence their felony convictions for selling gambling licenses. But seeing as how this is New Orleans, neither will probably ever see the inside of a prison. In fact, it looks like old Edwin will get his conviction overturned because a juror was improperly removed from the jury late in the proceedings (and as "luck" would have it, said juror claims he would have held out for not guilty. Wonder how all that happened? But them this is New Orleans. As for loud music coming from the casino all night long, please tell you did not come here looking for a nice, peaceful, quite, relaxing place to pass some time. After all, you did book a room on the edge of the French Quarter. About the only place to find quite in New Orleans would be the cemetaries. But come to think of it, what with all the walking tours through the cemetaries, along with the crack dealers and other nefarious characters that habitually frequent the places, I doubt you would even find peace and quite among the crypts. Like I said, this is New Orleans. Regardless, the casino, white elephant that it is, is a momumental improvement over what used to be there. And it still took ten+ years just to get that.

Well, pooh! It sounds as if I won't be winning any millions in that casino! I appreciate the responses...anyone else...positive or negative?

Actually, the building itself isn't that bad. I'm not sure what sight lines it blocks; the levee? The beautiful WTC? It is the very 'in' thing to say that it is an eyesore, and god knows Orleanians are bandwagon jumpers.
Inside it is quite nice, but, like every other casino, it wasn't built to make you and me rich.

I can't imagine going to NO and staying indoors to gamble. You can play video poker at home on your computer. Too much to do, see and eat!

I've been to NO before and love the place. However, since we two couples who are going are in our 50's, and I know it's going to be hot and sultry (umm, don't you like that word?), and since we all like to gamble, I had hoped that the casino might be a good place to spend part of the days. It looks as if it may not be too profitable, but we'll still probably be there some of the time. "Let the good times roll!"