Local hang-out spots, such as Campus Corner, have long provided students with weekend fun.

However, some students are escaping the monotony of a night at the bar by heading outwards on the interstate to nearby casinos.

At local casinos, students can try their luck at gambling, play the slots, catch a show, grab a bite, or just lounge with friends.

Chase Nottingham, international studies junior and poker dealer at Thunderbird Casino, 15700 E. Highway 9, said he can see why students enjoy the casino scene.

"Playing poker is a lot of fun," he said. "It's definitely a social thing."

Nottingham also said poker is more than a social pastime.

"Gambling is this whole other feeling," he said. "When you put money on the line, it's addicting, but it's a good addiction. It's fun."

Brian Thomas, OU alumnus, said he frequented the casinos as a student and knows first-hand that gambling is no fun when some serious cash is being lost.

"I didn't like Black Jack because I lost all the time," he said. "For me, it was harder than playing Poker because it's a game left more up to chance than skill."

Thomas said he thinks the local casinos are for students craving a little taste of Las Vegas.

"If you like gambling and you want the Vegas feel, then you would enjoy the casinos because it's sort of like Vegas."

The Goldsby Gaming Center, 1038 W. Sycamore Rd., also offers patrons its own little taste of Las Vegas with blackjack, poker, slots and bingo.

Hungry gamblers can also grab a late-night bite at The Goldsby Gaming Center's full concession stand.

Boots and Saddle, the Thunderbird Casino restaurant, is open 24 hours a day on the weekends and offers home-cooked style dishes, said Nottingham.

Thunderbird Casino occasionally features Vegas-style shows, but Nottingham said students hoping to catch a performance should check with the casino before heading out.

"It's not something we always have. You just have to catch it when we have it," he said.

Nancy Beboute, Thunderbird Casino Player's Club Supervisor, said the casino tries to offer a variety of entertainment.

"Hopefully we're going to get all kinds of music and comedy," she said. "We try and offer something for everyone and there's always something new coming up."
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