The former Sands Regency Casino Hotel has been transformed into J Resort, a modern casino and resort destination in downtown Reno. Located at 345 North Arlington Avenue, this property combines historic gaming tradition with contemporary amenities.
The Sands Casino Reno represents a significant chapter in downtown Reno's gaming history, now operating under the J Resort brand following extensive renovations and rebranding by Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. This transformation has brought new life to a property that has served Reno visitors since 1965, combining the nostalgia of classic casino gaming with modern resort amenities.
Originally opened as the Sands Motor Inn in February 1965, this property has evolved from an 80-room motel into a full-service casino resort with 518 hotel rooms. The location at 345 North Arlington Avenue places guests in the heart of downtown Reno, within walking distance of the iconic Reno Arch, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, and Eldorado Resort Casino. The property's journey from a modest motor inn to a major gaming destination reflects the growth and transformation of Reno's casino industry over six decades.
The rebranding to J Resort marks the latest evolution in this property's history, with significant investments in room renovations, dining concepts, and entertainment venues. The casino maintains its reputation for catering to local players while attracting tourists seeking an authentic downtown Reno gaming experience.
The property's development occurred in distinct phases that shaped its current form. Pete Cladianos and his family developed the original Sands Motor Inn, establishing a foundation that would support decades of expansion. In 1970, the first major addition brought a five-story hotel building with 24 rooms and a small casino featuring 40 slot machines.
The most significant expansion came in 1979 with the construction of the 15-story Regency Tower, adding 300 hotel rooms and substantially more casino space. This expansion transformed the property from a modest motor inn into a competitive casino hotel. The property faced trademark challenges in 1985, leading to a name change from Sands to Sands Regent, and shortly thereafter to Sands Regency following another trademark dispute.
By 1988, a third tower was completed, bringing the total room count to 800 and adding a parking garage. This tower was architecturally distinct, connected to the original structures through a linking corridor. The property became known for catering to specific demographics, particularly Reno locals, bowling enthusiasts, and cribbage players, establishing a loyal customer base that differentiated it from larger Strip-style resorts.
Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. acquired the property and initiated a comprehensive transformation, rebranding it as J Resort. The renovation included updating all hotel rooms, with specific focus on the Aspen Tower and Birch Tower renovations completed in 2023. The Dynasty Tower and Empress Tower, dating from earlier expansion phases, also received updates to maintain consistency across the property.
The rebranding strategy focused on modernizing the guest experience while maintaining the property's reputation for value and accessibility. New dining concepts replaced older venues, and the addition of Glow Plaza created an outdoor entertainment space that hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year.
The casino floor spans 25,791 square feet and offers a comprehensive selection of gaming options designed to appeal to various player preferences and skill levels. The gaming space includes modern slot machines featuring the latest technology and game titles, traditional table games with professional dealers, and a dedicated bingo parlor that maintains the property's connection to its loyal local player base.
The slot floor features a diverse mix of denominations and game types, from penny slots to higher-limit machines. The selection includes video slots with progressive jackpots, classic reel-style games, and video poker machines. The layout provides comfortable spacing between machines and easy access to cocktail service.
Card tables offer standard casino games including blackjack, roulette, and craps. The table game pit operates with varying minimum bets to accommodate different bankroll sizes, making it accessible to both casual players and more serious gamblers. Professional dealers and pit supervisors maintain game integrity and provide assistance to players learning new games.
The bingo parlor represents a distinctive feature that sets J Resort apart from many competing properties. Regular sessions attract a dedicated community of players, with special tournaments and promotional events scheduled throughout the year. This amenity reflects the property's commitment to serving local residents and niche gaming markets.
J Resort offers a comprehensive gaming experience with slot machines, card tables, and a bingo parlor spread across nearly 26,000 square feet of casino floor. The property caters to both casual players and serious gamers with its J Rewards loyalty program.
The resort transformation includes completely renovated tower sections, modern dining concepts, and expanded entertainment options. Guests can access premium amenities including a swimming pool, poolside bar, and multiple restaurant concepts ranging from casual to fine dining.
J Resort offers 518 guest rooms distributed across multiple towers, each recently renovated to provide modern comfort and convenience. Rooms feature flat-screen televisions with satellite channels, work desks suitable for business travelers, and coffee and tea making facilities. The private bathrooms include both tub and walk-in shower configurations, along with complimentary toiletries.
The Aspen Tower and Birch Tower represent the most recently renovated sections, completed in 2023, offering the newest furnishings and updated decor. All rooms provide mountain views or city views of downtown Reno, and the property maintains family-friendly policies with cots and high chairs available for guests traveling with children.
Beyond gaming and lodging, J Resort provides a swimming pool for guest recreation, a poolside bar serving refreshing beverages, and a fitness area. The property offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout all public areas and guest rooms, ensuring connectivity for modern travelers. Business services include computer access for printing airline boarding passes and other travel documents.
The resort operates a local bus service to facilitate guest transportation around downtown Reno, and the property is located approximately 10 minutes by car from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Parking facilities include both surface lots and a multi-level parking garage.
The dining transformation at J Resort introduced several new restaurant concepts designed to elevate the culinary experience beyond typical casino fare. The property now features multiple dining venues ranging from quick-service options to upscale dining experiences.
This signature restaurant combines Italian cuisine with premium steakhouse offerings, providing an upscale dining option for special occasions and fine dining enthusiasts. The menu features prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and classic Italian preparations in an elegant atmosphere.
Hanna's Table serves as the main dining room, offering breakfast service each morning along with lunch and dinner options featuring American cuisine. Hanna's Express provides quick-service alternatives for guests seeking convenient meals between gaming sessions or before entertainment events.
The buffet concept offers variety and value with rotating selections that include international cuisines, carved meats, fresh salads, and dessert stations. This dining option appeals to families and groups seeking diverse menu choices in a casual setting.
J Resort has positioned itself as an entertainment destination through the development of Glow Plaza, an outdoor venue that hosts concerts, festivals, and special events throughout the year. This addition addresses a gap in downtown Reno's entertainment infrastructure by providing a dedicated space for live performances.
The Afterglow Lounge offers a more intimate entertainment setting with live music performances, DJ events, and a full bar serving craft cocktails and premium spirits. The venue creates a nightlife option for guests and locals seeking evening entertainment beyond gaming.
The property also features the Reno Neon Line, an artistic installation that celebrates Reno's neon heritage and provides a distinctive visual element that enhances the resort's identity. Original art displays throughout the property contribute to a cultural atmosphere that differentiates J Resort from purely gaming-focused competitors.
The downtown Reno location at 345 North Arlington Avenue provides strategic advantages for visitors exploring the city. The property sits within a 10-minute walk of Wingfield Recreational Park and offers easy access to the Truckee River corridor. The iconic Reno Arch, a must-see landmark for first-time visitors, is located nearby along Virginia Street.
Silver Legacy Resort Casino is approximately 6 minutes away on foot, while Eldorado Resort Casino can be reached in about 8 minutes walking. This proximity to other major gaming properties allows visitors to explore multiple venues during their stay. The 4th Street bus station is roughly 10 minutes away, providing public transportation connections throughout the Reno-Sparks area.
University of Nevada Reno is located a short distance from the property, making J Resort a convenient option for visitors attending university events, prospective students touring campus, or families visiting enrolled students. The downtown location also provides access to Reno's arts district, local restaurants, and cultural attractions.
The J Rewards Club Card provides a loyalty program designed to reward frequent players and resort guests. Members earn points through gaming activity, which can be redeemed for various benefits including complimentary play, dining discounts, hotel room upgrades, and exclusive promotional offers.
The program includes multiple tier levels that provide increasing benefits as players accumulate points. Higher-tier members receive priority services, invitations to special events, and enhanced earning rates. The casino offers win and loss statements for tax purposes, and members can access their account information through player login portals.
The transformation from Sands Regency to J Resort represents a significant reinvestment in downtown Reno's gaming and hospitality infrastructure. The property successfully balances its historical identity as a local favorite with modern amenities and entertainment options that appeal to a broader visitor demographic. The 518 renovated rooms, expanded dining concepts, and new entertainment venues position J Resort as a competitive option in the downtown Reno market.
For visitors seeking an authentic downtown Reno experience with convenient access to multiple casino properties, cultural attractions, and the Truckee River corridor, J Resort offers a compelling combination of value, location, and amenities. The property's evolution over six decades demonstrates adaptability to changing market conditions while maintaining its core commitment to guest service and gaming entertainment.
The Sands Regency Casino Hotel was rebranded as J Resort following acquisition by Jacobs Entertainment, Inc. The property underwent extensive renovations including room updates, new dining concepts, and the addition of entertainment venues while maintaining its gaming operations.
J Resort features 518 hotel rooms distributed across multiple towers including the recently renovated Aspen Tower and Birch Tower. All rooms include modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, work desks, and private bathrooms with both tub and shower.
The casino offers 25,791 square feet of gaming space including slot machines, table games such as blackjack and roulette, and a bingo parlor. The property caters to various player preferences with different denominations and game types.
J Resort is located at 345 North Arlington Avenue in downtown Reno, within walking distance of the Reno Arch, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, and Eldorado Resort Casino. The property is approximately 10 minutes by car from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
Dining options include J Paul's Italian Steakhouse for upscale dining, Hanna's Table for all-day dining, Hanna's Express for quick service, and The Buffet for variety. The property also features a poolside bar and the Afterglow Lounge.
Yes, J Resort features Glow Plaza, an outdoor entertainment venue hosting concerts and festivals, plus the Afterglow Lounge for live music and DJ events. The property also displays original art and the Reno Neon Line installation throughout the resort.
J Resort collaborates with leading gaming technology providers and entertainment partners to deliver exceptional experiences.
Discover the comprehensive gaming options at J Resort, from modern slot machines to classic table games and the popular bingo parlor that attracts loyal local players.
Experience the transformation of J Resort with new dining concepts including J Paul's Italian Steakhouse and live entertainment at the outdoor Glow Plaza venue.
J Resort completed comprehensive renovations of the Aspen Tower and Birch Tower, bringing all 518 rooms to modern standards.
The outdoor entertainment venue continues to host concerts and festivals throughout the year, establishing J Resort as a downtown entertainment destination.
New restaurant concepts including J Paul's Italian Steakhouse and updated buffet offerings enhance the culinary experience at the resort.