If you're planning on playing slots at this casino, be prepared to feel ripped off. They're payouts are less than 30%, and there is no gaming commission in New Mexico that is willing to regulate their casinos. This one is the worst of the bad, and I've played slots in most of New Mexico's casinos. My advice, stay far away from both Cities of Gold and Buffalo Thunder. I'm not being vindictive here, I'm just giving everyone fair warning that they're gaming practices are purely predatory. I feel sorry for the regulars there.

Had a great buffet deal the day we were there and food was good. Small variety but okay. Slots pay nothing. Time we were there we saw no one win anything at all. Not even a small bonus. Also, your players club is tied to Buffalo Thunder Casino so again you are ripped off. Waste of time, not going back.
Employees here and Buffalo Thunder really need lessons in how to treat customers. Rude and have "don't bother me" attitudes.

Cities of Gold Hotel Management (Mark De La O and Linda Vigil) using lies, intimidation, and cheating to discourage the gambling public with pets from staying in their hotel. This is not a pet friendly hotel any longer. Cheating, they refuse to recognize promotions provided by the Casino for better rates claiming they don't have your reservation, Lying, they accuse people with pets of sneaking pets into rooms, claiming that they were not informed at registration, Intimidation, you can feel the attitudes change when you tell the desk attendants that you have a pet - they become your enemy and start an intimidating and non hospitable stance. I actually observed Mark arguing with a little old lady over unfair room charges - she received almost sadistic treatment! They play evil games with your entry cards as already reported by others. We were repeatedly locked out of the building and the room.  Don't stay at their hotel, whether you have pets or not and take your gambling business to Ohkay, Camel Rock, Santa Claran, or Hollywood - all with better paying Slots. Slots have very small bonuses and are antiquated with low hit rates - you will lose big time here!!!
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I have been gambling at Cities of Gold and sraying at the Hotel for well over 10 years and have watched and experienced the decline. The Hotel has virtually disengaged itself from the Casino and rather than provide a service to Gamers has become a major impediment to their wanting to return to the Cities of Gold. The Hotel is very poorly managed by Mark De La O. The pet policy is to put patrons into rooms not fit for human habitation much less for pets.
The Casino Slots are paying so poorly and with insulting Bonuses that within minutes you realize that your intelligence is being insulted. All other Casinos are miles above The Cities of Gold and Buffalo Thunder.

Over the past few years I've noticed the more you play here, the more often you lose here. percentage of luck here is at a minimum. I've deliberately spent too much and to date i've noticed a lack of interest from management in e-mail responses, as i only receive, to date, a maximum of only $10 in free play money while less visits to the other casinos are currently giving me $30 to visit. For a period of time i was only receiving $3 when the entire free world was getting $5 as a minimum. WTF!!! I blame poor management and with great dissatisfaction, am now using this forum as a warning to you,the visitor. Both Buffalo Thunder and cities of gold are under the same poor management. Nice place to stay, the worst place to play. I find Camel Rock Casino and Big Rock casino to be the best places to go. Stay there, don't play there.I sincerely hope they have the opportunity to read this, I know i'm not alone in my opinion.