Sunland Park Race Track & Casino

Coming from Nevada, this place sucks. It’s like slot machine mecca and you have to wait in line to play. Really? Drinks take forever. No live dealers. Save your money and go to Vegas or Reno. It’s definitely worth it.

Just getting started. Having trouble with the financial service company the Casino has on their premises — Ditronics. They took an extra $ 106.00 out of my checking account back on 03/​29/​2016. They acknowledged that they were having a problem and that I would be getting my full $ 106 refunded within 24 hours. This is what they told me on 03/​31/​2016. Nothing yet. The security people at the Casino say they have nothing to do with them and cannot intervene. That is a terrible position for them to take. I was not allowed to speak to anyone in management at the Casino. I could only speak to security. I will not be going there in the forseeable future. They don’t care about their members. I will pursue this again today. Calling the Ditronics corporate office. I will also be calling the gaming commission to see what they can do. This whole thing sucks

Tonight was my first time here. I give it 4 stars because I won $ 60 after spending $ 15 starting out. There are other casinos with other games but this had just the right amount.
On a negative comment, the place was very smokey.

Normally I really enjoy coming here to grab a beer and listen to a good local band. It works well as my wife enjoys to play the slots. Tonight the band was horrible! !!! Please don’t invite them back. The female singer was off key all night, and the male lead singer had the mic so close to his mouth you couldn’t understand a word he was singing. To top it off a nice snack at the jackpot grill had 3 people working being the counter. Only 1 was helping customers, but she was touching money, her clothes, drinking a drink on line, and touching her clothes and hair without washing her hands or even changing her gloves. Overall Sunland Park casino you’ve had better nights. It’s gonna be a while before I come spend my money at this place.

No live dealers what else do you want to know… Unfortunate the staff there make it even worse not sure why they are always in such unpleasant mood like they are forced to be there. Half the experience at a casino is the staff and their attitude so that is big reason why i would not recommend going to this place. For locals it probably is something nice to do since there is not much to do in the first place.

Have gone to SP many times and have always been disappointed. Most people who attend the races are trainers, family members, jockey’s family or owners. I have been to every racetrack in the state and numerous out of state racetracks and find the people at SP to be very rude and the food is the worst I have ever eaten at a racetrack. Cokes are over $ 2 for 8oz and refills are fifty cents. They only have one size, so if you are thirsty wait in line to receive another 8 ounces, mostly ice. New management only cares about the profit from the casino and customer service is on the bottom. This should be a major venue in El Paso, but they can’t get anything right. Disgusting service, atmosphere and management. spend the extra $ 30 for gas and drive to the ruidoso casino. For $ 50 you can go to Albuquerque and spend your money at one of the many beautiful casino’s. Waste of time and money. The free water is also bad and should be tested.

Don’t know why so many people complain I have been here several times and have enjoyed each time, no you can’t win every time you go but you take the good with the bad all in all I think I’m still up though and even if not who cares you go to have a good time anyways

I take my mom here when she’s in town because she loves the slots, and I decided to grab lunch here today after looking at Ventana’s menu online. I got the smothered chicken, and the woman who took my order seemed irritated to even have to take my order (much sighing and frowning). When I took my lunch home, I ended up being really disappointed. The chicken was bland, the sliced carrots I asked for looked old and discolored. .. the whole thing was just one big MEH. I probably won’t be going back to eat, ever.

This place is so under rated! I am on a road trip from california to east texas with a friend, and last night we decided we wanted to do some gambling. After some searching we found sunland casino, but the reviews on this place almost turned us away! Luckily we chose to come anyway.
The bar– it had live music, a fun crowd, lots of people, well stocked bar, and cheap drinks.
The casino– good selection of slots, had several video table games, decent payouts (I lost, but my buddy was a winner) it was clean, it was well ventilated and had a good feel to it. I will say this, I was disapointed that you can’t drink alcohol in the casino, but that is state law and not sun lands fault.
The food– It was quick, it was delicious, it was cheap. In other words it was well worth the money we spent… Less than ten dollars for two coffees and two plates of bacon, eggs, potatoes, toast, and authentic hand made jalapeño salsa! Only bad part was that the restaurant bar wasn’t open at 9am, guess I don’t get my Bloody Mary this morning.
The staff– honestly they are not the friendliest or most helpful people, but they were far from unpleasant.
All in all we had a great experience, and this place blew our expectations out of the water. My friend and I will most certainly come back again.

Simple and small, decent amount of slot machines which a lot of them are pricy, virtual card table which is only blackjack wish their was a variety, wish TV were bigger and at least on every table but the horse track makes up for everything else, that is an amazing horse track and environment.

Not on a Vegas casino standard, but rather entertaining on one of those days you’re not in the mood to go to the movies or a club. It’s trying to make something of itself.
I’m not particularly fond of the virtual poker tables. Sure they’re beautiful ladies on the screen, but it kind of takes away the social aspect of the game. But I understand maximizing income… buuuuuut I said it and I think many would agree, get more people in here.
I’ve carefully avoided this place for quite awhile because of my natural human instinct to gamble and as so many of my peers would say, «Go BIG or go home.» But a friend finally coaxed me into going here a couple of times. I was rather surprised that I was carded, but apparently that’s actually usual for those of us that aren’t regulars.
I have been to Speaking Rock a few times and that’s actually what I expected from Sunland, but not what I found and I am so happy it is a step or two above its counterpart. Clean, bright, new and shiny. The layout is easy to navigate and it’s full of slot machines.
The only other thing worth noting is, smoking is permitted. But it seems as though most patrons are EP natives so the there isn’t a whole lot of smoking going on in here. Still haven’t been to a horse race, but I’ll definitely be updating my review when I do.

Worst place in the world. Hitler would feel right at home. Just got kicked out because my fellow gay friends were holding hands. Please do not support this homophobic facility. Just when I thought El Paso was becoming more progressive. Shame on sunland.

My wife and I were visiting the area, and she had never been to a horse race, so we decided to pay this place a visit.
The horse races were nice, and you can even watch the races you were there for (at a later time) on their website. 4 out of 5 stars for the racing.
The casino was just average. As stated in other reviews, there are no table games and only slot machines. I prefer non-​smoking areas, and although they do have one, it was not enclosed in its own room, so there was still a smoke smell. 3 out of 5 stars for the casino.
The restaurant (Ventana’s bar and grill) was also average. Prices were reasonable, but portion sizes were, in my opinion, too small for what was paid. The «mountain of meatloaf» (as it’s described on the menu) was actually sized more like a «molehill.» 3 out of 5 stars for the restaurant.

They don’t pay employees full pay checks

Gambling joints depress me. Whether it is this sad excuse for a ‘casino’ or Speaking Rock all the way to Las Vegas, it just seems they are chock full of old sad smokers pumping change into machines. At least in the 80s when I was pumping quarters into Galaga, I enjoyed every minute of it.

his review is for LAS VENTANAS restaurant and for whoever the «manager» is.
My sisters family and my parents went there to eat last week and got asked to
leave because she had not paid a plate for my nephew of 11years. My sister
told the manager that he wouldn’t be eating so the manager asked my sister to take my nephew out to wait??? WTH! that they had a policy that everyone that goes in has to pay eating or not. REALLY? does that make any sense?
besides the food is not all that and the glorified desserts taste nasty! they have the looks but no taste!
without any problems my sister left after they reimburse her money and her husbands… I think this is injustice and abuse of power on the managers part.
I know I will never ever go there… lacks a lot of customer service

This is the most disappointing casino I’ve ever been to. I guess it’s New Mex ico law that can’t drink inside the gambling area. That kinda takes the fun out of gambling. Payout on the machines is okay but there are no card tables. About the closest you will get to that are the video poker machines. There are 2 bars on the premises also which both are boring as hell. There is absolutely no ambiance here and the bandso that play here are mediocre. There is a buffet restaurant called LAS VENTANAS which serves horrible food day in and day out. There food is always bland, dry, overcooked, and just plain not appetizing. Desserts are also a big disappointment, they look and taste like they’ve ben there forever. Don’t bother with this place. It’s not worth the drive!

Since this is the ONLY casino near El Paso, it happens to be pretty busy. If they had any ‘real’ competition in the area they’d be forced to kick it up several notches to survive. Speaking Rock I don’t believe qualifies to even be considered here.
I agree with the earlier reviewer, this is NOT in the truest sense of the word a Casino. They offer nothing other than slot machines. You cannot even get an alcoholic drink while inside the Casino, you have to enjoy your ‘beverage’ while seated inside the Ventanas Buffet or at a the bar.
I visit family in El Paso and when there we often end up going to the Sunland Park Casino. Now, I happen to live in Las Vegas, so it would not be fair to judge Sunland by Vegas standards. But, I will measure it against the casinos in Ruidoso; Sunland is hands down THE worst of them all. Ruidoso actually has some very nice slot only casinos, but that’s another review.
Sunland Park, first of all is Way, Way too loud ~ turn the noise down a notch on those slots! Even Vegas casinos aren’t this loud!
Secondly, the smoke is just gawd awful, and there is no way to get away from it. The non-​smoking area is a joke. What they need is an adequate ventilation system.
The Slots, this is the only casino I’ve been to in the last 5 years that doesn’t offer proliferating options of penny machines.
ADA Friendly SP is not. Not sure why they haven’t been ‘challenged’ on that point. This is NOT a wheelchair friendly facility.
Lets talk about the Food at the Ventanas Buffet, which is usually plentiful, unless you get there about an hour before closing when what’s left is overcooked, dried out or just nonexistent. The big rounds of beef that they usually offer at the carving station, must emanate from cows that died of old age, the mashed potatoes are from a box, veggies are overly salty and obviously from a can, the Pizza and usually the soup are palatable. It’s become an exercise in futility when we take Mother there, to ‘try’ and find something/​anything fit to eat. You gotta «try» to be this bad folks or it’s more likely they just don’t care and exist on the fact they are the only game in town!
Ideally, not forever, a little competition might do them some good.

Yes, four stars for Sunland Park Racetrack, but with caveats.
First, lets dispense with the notion that this is a casino. It is not. It is a glorified slot-​machine parlor. No table games, no dice, just slots.
But, thankfully, the slots keep the racetrack alive because without the added dollars from the chain-​smokers pumping their social security checks into those stupid machines, horseracing would be dead. At least in New Mexico.
Just contrast Sunland Park with Albuquerque which has no slots. See?
A day at Sunland Park can entertain almost anybody, regardless of means. You can pay nothing (free parking, free admission) and sit in the grandstand. Or you can pay $ 7 and sit in the Turf Club. A pretty good deal either way. Also there are private suites for about 10 people that don’t cost anything per se, but they do require consumption of $ 200 in food and bev. Most people I know spill that much.
Betting is either with a flesh and blood teller (ok, some of them look bloodless, but you get my drift), tote machines, or if you are in the Turf Club they come and take your bets at your table. Don’t have a lot of money? Throw $ 1 into the tote machine and bet the $ 0.10 Superfecta.
So it’s fun, and the beer is cold. They have full bars. You dont have to go far to get a drink if that’s important to you.
Now to the food. I have eaten in the restaurant and the Turf Club. Be careful, it’s extremely salty which is not a bad thing until the veins in your temples start to throb so much you scare the waitress. The burgers in the grandstand are pretty good. I can’t vouch for the buffet. Hate buffets.
Anyway, if you want to spend a nice afternoon (there are no night races, they tried them but the horses tripped and fell down since they don’t have lights either) head over to the track. Sit outside and enjoy the weather, or suck up the smoke in the grandstand, or play like high roller and sit in the Turf Club. Oh, and wear a cowboy hat.
One major drawback is the men’s room on the upper grandstand level. It is really close and you can’t help bumping into everybody else, and although they try to keep it clean it just gets too much traffic.

This was my first visit to the race track. Mom decided to take me for the Belmont races. I «rented» a table with food service and betting service. Each table sits 4 people and you have your own TV to watch whatever race you want.
After learning the logistics of betting, I copied mom’s bet and won. She is darn lucky. We ordered some drinks (margarita on rocks for mom, beer for me and dad) and some super nachos. They were really good! The track does offer a buffet lunch for about $ 10 a person.
The next day we made it back to the casino and I played a slot machine. I played a 50 cent machine because it was rather packed for a Sunday afternoon and the video poker was taken. I hit a small jackpot and was a very happy camper as the moo-​lah is going to pay for the big Vegas wedding!
The casino is semi-​clean. Bathrooms were completely attended to by a woman the entire time we were betting horses. Decent sized casino slot area.