Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack
4.2(129)google
4.0(1)yelp
Horse Racing
Overview
The Sands Hotel and Casino was a historic hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States, that operated from 1952 to 1996. Designed by architect Wayne McAllister, with a prominent 56-foot (17 m) high sign, the Sands was the seventh resort to open on the Strip. During its heyday, it hosted many famous entertainers of the day, most notably the Rat Pack and Jerry Lewis.
Practical Info
Mon7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Tue7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Wed7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Thu7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Fri7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Sat7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Sun7:00 AM – 3:00 AM
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeA modern indoor entertainment complex suitable for year-round visits. Friday or Saturday nights between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM offer the most energetic atmosphere, blending casino gaming with dining options and seasonal race day crowds.
Getting ThereSituated in the Ogallala area near the major transit corridors. Easily reached by car by exiting Interstate 80 at Exit 126, heading north on Spruce St, and following the prominent resort directional resort signage into the sprawling, free on-site guest parking lot.
Travel Tips
- State statutory mandates restrict gaming floor access to individuals 21 or older; physical presentation of a valid passport or US driver's license is required at security screens.
- The surface parking arrays endure severe stress during scheduled live equestrian racing windows; overlander trailers are strictly banned from double-parking across lateral auto slots.
- The complex operates under total state surveillance; using handheld capturing technology near electronic slot screens or cashier settlement cages prompts immediate asset seizure.
Reviews
Positive
- Right next to Lake McConaughy, the massive gaming floor and racetrack light arrays deliver spectacular visuals, making it a true Midwest nightlife landmark.
- As a brand-new resort, directional signs are big and bold, restrooms are plentiful and clean, and accessible lifts offer full coverage.
- The resort packs a tight 24/7 security guard patrol team with strict ID checks; front desk and cafe staff are highly regulated and warm.
- Racetrack grandstands are free outside major grand prix days; internal dining and buffet options are fairly priced for great overall value.
Heads up
- It remains a commercial consumer gaming trap; outside of gambling and arcades, it lacks authentic raw local culture, causing visual fatigue.
- On weekend night prime racing hours, grandstands and lobbies face heavy crowd saturation with deafening noise, ruining lakeside peace.
- Located in remote rural Ogallala, driving requires navigating long stretches of unlit, winding roads with very poor public bus transit links.
- The on-site high-end steakhouses and premium suites feature heavy off-season inflation and price premiums, showing standard resort markups.