Avi Resort & Casino Guide

Avi Resort & Casino is a unique Laughlin-area property operated by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. Located just south of Laughlin on the banks of the Colorado River, Avi offers a championship golf course, private beach, full-hookup RV park, and a beautiful desert resort setting that feels worlds away from the busier strip.

Features & Amenities

About Avi Casino Resort

Avi Resort & Casino sits along a beautiful stretch of the Colorado River, just 10 minutes south of the main Laughlin strip. Operated by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, the resort combines modern casino gaming with natural desert beauty and outdoor recreation.

The 18-hole championship golf course is consistently rated among the best in the region. The private beach on the Colorado River is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing. The full-hookup RV park is one of the best in the area, with riverside sites and modern amenities. The casino itself offers a good selection of slots, table games, and a comfortable poker room.

💡 Insider Tips

Book a golf package for the best value. The RV park is extremely popular in winter — reserve months in advance. The beach area is less crowded than Harrah's and more natural.

The Desert Oasis

Avi Casino Resort is the odd one out in Laughlin, and that's what makes it special. Located about 10 miles south of the main Laughlin casino strip on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation, Avi is owned and operated by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. The name "Avi" means money or gold in the Mojave language. The location means you're trading walkability to other casinos for something the strip properties can't offer: space, quiet, and a genuine desert resort experience.

The property sits on 29 acres right on the Colorado River with its own private beach, an 18-hole golf course, and an RV park. It feels less like a casino and more like a desert resort that happens to have slot machines. If the noise and density of the Laughlin strip gives you anxiety, Avi is the antidote.

Casino Gaming

Avi's casino floor covers 25,000 square feet with about 700 slot machines and a table game section. Being a tribal casino, Avi operates under different gaming compacts than the Nevada-licensed casinos on the strip. The practical difference for visitors: similar games, similar limits, similar experience. Blackjack, craps, roulette, and plenty of video poker. Table minimums start at $5 on weekdays.

The Players Club here is Avi-specific and not connected to any larger network. Points earn free play, dining credits, and room discounts. Sign up immediately — the benefits kick in from your first bet.

The Private Beach

Avi's Colorado River beach is a legit stretch of sand with swimming access, beach volleyball, and lounging areas. It's more secluded than Harrah's beach because Avi is away from the busy strip. During summer, the beach area has barbecue grills, picnic tables, and enough space to actually spread out. Water sports rentals are available seasonally — jet skis, kayaks, and tubes for floating the river.

Golf Course

The Avi Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course that winds along the Colorado River with desert mountain views. Green fees are very reasonable: $35-$55 depending on season and tee time. The course is well-maintained and plays about 6,500 yards from the tips. It's one of three golf courses in the greater Laughlin area and the most convenient option since it's literally on the resort property. Cart included in the green fee.

Hotel and RV Park

Avi has 455 hotel rooms, smaller than the strip casinos but the rooms are well-appointed. Standard rooms start at $45 midweek and include the usual amenities. Suites with river views are available for a premium. The RV park has 260 spaces with full hookups — popular with snowbirds and long-term winter visitors. Monthly RV rates are competitive with Riverside Resort's park.

Restaurants

Avi has three restaurants: Feathers Restaurant is the sit-down option with steaks, seafood, and pasta. The Native Harvest Buffet runs for lunch and dinner with standard casino buffet fare. The Deli handles quick bites and breakfast. For a property this size, the restaurant variety is adequate. The buffet is the best value — lunch for about $12 and dinner for $16-$20.

Entertainment

The Avi Grand Ballroom hosts concerts and shows regularly, attracting touring acts that bypass the main Laughlin strip properties. The venue seats about 3,000 and has hosted country music stars, rock bands, and comedy shows. Check the entertainment calendar before booking — catching a show at Avi makes the 10-mile drive from the strip worth it.

Is the Drive Worth It?

If you're staying on the Laughlin strip, Avi is a 10-minute drive south on Highway 163. It's worth visiting for a day trip even if you're based at another casino — the beach, the golf course, and the more relaxed atmosphere are a nice change of pace. If you actually stay at Avi, understand that you're choosing seclusion over convenience. You'll need a car to visit the other Laughlin casinos, and there aren't any restaurants or shops within walking distance outside the resort. For some people, that's the whole point.

Fort Mojave Indian Tribe History

Avi Casino Resort is owned by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose ancestral territory spans parts of Nevada, Arizona, and California along the Colorado River. The tribe has about 1,100 enrolled members and has operated Avi since 1995. Casino revenue funds tribal services including education, healthcare, housing, and cultural preservation programs. When you play at Avi, you're supporting a tribal community that's been living along the Colorado River for centuries — long before Don Laughlin built his first motel down the road.

The cultural aspect shows up subtly throughout the resort. The architecture incorporates Southwestern design elements. The gift shop carries authentic Native American art and crafts. The name "Avi" comes from the Mojave word for money or gold. If you're interested in learning more about Mojave culture and history, the tribal office can direct you to local resources and cultural sites in the area.

Day Trips From Avi Resort

Avi's location 10 miles south of the main casino strip puts you closer to some interesting day trip options. Lake Havasu City (of London Bridge fame) is about 60 miles south — a scenic desert drive along the Colorado River. Oatman, Arizona is a historic Route 66 mining town about 40 miles east with wild burros roaming the streets and a saloon that claims to be the honeymoon hotel for Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. Route 66 enthusiasts love the Oatman-Kingman stretch of the original highway.