Jackpot

Jackpot is in Northern Nevada, just across the border from Idaho.

Understand
Jackpot owes its existence to a 1954 law banning all forms of casino gaming in Idaho. In response two established Idaho casino operators, Don French and "Cactus Pete" Piersanti, moved their operations to this previously uninhabited point less than south of the Idaho border. French's and Piersanti's establishments – both still in operation today – were called the Horseshu Club and Cactus Pete's respectively. Less than a decade after its founding, the town had grown to over 400 full-time residents. Today Jackpot supports its own post office and high school.

Piersanti bought out French in 1964 to form what would eventually become Ameristar Casinos. Today Ameristar operates Cactus Pete's and the Horseshu as a single entity. Barton's Club 93, Ameristar's main competition in Jackpot, set up shop in 1967. All three properties are within easy walking distance of each other.

By road
U.S. Highway 93 runs north/south through Jackpot and is the only direct route into town. Driving south from Twin Falls, it's about to Jackpot. From points east and west, Interstate 80 has a junction with Highway 93 at Wells, south of Jackpot. From Boise and the Pacific Northwest, Interstate 84 has a junction with Highway 93 just north of Twin Falls. From Montana, Interstate 84 can be accessed through southbound Interstate 15 to Pocatello and then westbound Interstate 86. Caldwell Transportation offers regular chartered bus service to Jackpot from the Boise metro area.

By plane
The nearest commercial airport is in Twin Falls.

Get around
Jackpot is compact and very walkable. All of the city's casinos are located along U.S. 93. The town's few side streets are almost entirely residential.

Gambling
Virtually all of the city's economic activity revolves around its casinos. Gambling has been the main pastime in Jackpot since day one, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. However, Cactus Pete's features shows with relatively big-name talent. As in the rest of Nevada, you must be 21 to gamble or to even be on the casino floor, laws which are strenuously enforced.

Buy
There are souvenir shops in the casinos and a small supermarket near the Horseshu. That's it. You'll need to go to Twin Falls, Wells or Elko for anything more substantial.

Eat
There are no freestanding eating establishments – fast food or otherwise – in Jackpot. However Cactus Pete's, the Horseshu, Four Jacks and Barton's Club 93 all have established restaurants, some of which are open 24 hours. Menus are pretty similar, and not particularly exotic.



Drink
Once again, the only drinking establishments are in the casinos. In stark contrast to nearby Idaho, many Jackpot bars serve 24-7 (including holidays) and have for well over 40 years.



Sleep
Casinos:



Cope
Although legally in the Pacific Time Zone (UTC−8 standard time, UTC−7 daylight time), Jackpot de facto observes Mountain Time (UTC−7 standard, UTC−6 daylight) due to its economic ties with southern Idaho. Of particular note, show times at Cactus Pete's are always Mountain.

Stay safe
Because of its remoteness, rough terrain, unpredictable weather and consistent problem with drunk drivers, the approximately of U.S. 93 between Jackpot and Twin Falls is statistically one of the single most dangerous highways in the United States. Avoid travel at night or during winter storms whenever possible.