Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Oneida County has been named New York state's "best overall gaming resort" for the third year in a row by readers of Casino Player magazine.

The Oneida Indian Nation-owned resort, which turned 25 this year, topped 2nd-place Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca and 3rd-place del Lago Resort & Casino near Waterloo in the 2018 rankings. The results were published in the September 2018 issue of Casino Player, a magazine that covers the national casino industry. See the full rankings.

In its annual Best of Gaming issue, Casino Player ranks casino/resorts in a number of categories by region. Unlike some parts of the country, the rankings for New York state combine Native American-operated casinos and privately owned commercial venues.

Seneca Allegany, the 2nd-place finisher, is operated by the Seneca Nation of Indians, which also has casinos in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Del Lago is one of the four new non-Indian full-service casinos that opened in the past two years to compete in areas not covered by state compact with Native American nations.

Turning Stone is the biggest of the three casinos operated by the Oneidas, who also run Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango and Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, both in western Madison County.

"You can indulge yourself with a full range of amenities at Turning Stone, our readers choice for Best Hotel, Best Table Games Tournaments, Best Poker Tournaments, Best Blackjack, Best Bingo and Best Live Poker," the Casino Player write-up on New York's rankings said. "Golfers also love Turning Stone,, voting Turning Stone's Shenandoah Golf Club as Best Golf Course."

Seneca Allegany, the magazine noted, "is a place to relax in luxury, a AAA Four Diamond winner seven years in a row. Readers tell us it has New York casinos' Best Rooms, Best Pool, Best Video Poker, Best Slot Tournaments, Best Dealers, Best High Limit Room, Best Carnival Games and Best Keno."

Del Lago, the magazine reported, "is a one-stop vacation spot with its wide variety of dining options, the region's Best Spa, and much more, including Best Hotel Staff, Best Suites, Best Craps, Best Roulette, and Best VIP Services."

Casino Player has a second annual ranking list, covering dining and nightlife. In its most recent dining and nightlife ranking, Turning Stone took nine awards, while Seneca Allegany won 6 and del Lago won 5.

The annual Casino Player rankings are eagerly anticipated by the state's casino industry, which some experts say has become over saturated since the opening of the four new non-Indian Vegas casinos and additional Native American properties. 

The four new commercial casinos, in particular, have been reporting smaller gambling revenues than the estimates they gave state officials when they sought their licenses. Some have sought financial bail outs from the state, which have not been granted.

The most recent and largest to open, Resorts World Catskills near Monticello in Sullivan County, lost money in its the first few months after it opened last winter, but it also did not have many of its amenities in full operation.

For Turning Stone, the top gaming honor comes amid its celebration of its 25th year.

"When we first opened our doors, we knew that with strategic reinvestments, a hardworking staff, and a commitment to offering the best world-class amenities, Turning Stone would become the premier destination resort it is today," Oneida Nation Representative CEO Ray Halbritter said in a statement. "These latest awards from Casino Player Magazine, spanning across our various amenities, as well as the distinction of being named the #1 Best Overall Gaming Resort, are truly a testament to what we set out to achieve 25 years ago."

Don Cazentre writes about Upstate NY casinos for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.