Raymond S. Cuvalay Casino
Statia's low-key slot hall, a quick spin near the airport
Why Go
On an island where the loudest nightlife is usually a beach bar and a steel-pan band, Raymond S. Cuvalay Casino (locals still call it Slotmania) is the closest thing Statia has to a Vegas moment - a small, friendly slot-machine room named in memory of a beloved local businessman.
The Experience
Don't picture chandeliers and roulette wheels: this is a compact, air-conditioned slot parlor a one-minute drive from F.D. Roosevelt Airport, wedged into the Bay Brow / Airport Road stretch alongside ARC Agency (the sister car-rental operation run by the Cuvalay family). Rows of modern video slots hum quietly under LED lighting, staff know most regulars by name, and the vibe is more neighborhood pub than gaming floor. Drop in for twenty minutes to kill time before a Winair flight, or make it a laid-back evening stop after dinner in Oranjestad's Upper Town. It's the only casino-style venue on the island, so you're guaranteed a story to take home even if the reels don't cooperate.
What to Try
Bring small US-dollar bills - the penny and nickel slots stretch a modest budget furthest and are the crowd favorites among locals winding down after work. If you're new to Statia, chat up the staff: they're a great source of unfiltered island tips, from where the fresh catch landed that morning to which dive boats have space tomorrow.
Insider Tip
The casino's parent company, ARC Agency, also handles car rentals right next door - if you're flying in, book the car and plan a first-night visit in one stop so you're not making the airport-road trip twice. Bring a light jacket; the AC runs cold compared to the Caribbean evening outside.
The Practical Stuff
Location: John E. Mars Blvd #22, Bay Brow, Airport Road, Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius (Caribbean Netherlands), roughly a 1-minute drive or 10-minute walk from F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX). Currency: US dollars. ID: bring a passport or government-issued photo ID - standard practice at all licensed Dutch Caribbean gaming venues. Payment: cash is king; ATM access on Statia is limited, so withdraw in Oranjestad's Upper Town before you arrive. Hours vary and skew toward late afternoon through late evening - call ahead or ask at your hotel front desk, as this is a small operation without fixed tourist-facing hours.
Pair It With
- Bacchanalia Guide — The nearest sit-down restaurant to the casino - grab dinner first, then walk over for a post-meal spin without moving the rental car.
- ARC Agency Guide — Same family-run operation next door: pick up your rental car on arrival and you're already at the casino's front step.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — Steps away on Airport Road, so a late night at the slots is a two-minute stroll home rather than a dark drive across the island.
- Barrel House St. Eustatius - Classic Apartment Guide — Another walkable Bay Brow stay that makes the casino an easy after-dinner detour instead of a planned outing.
