When del Lago Resort & Casino opened on Route 414 in Waterloo in 2017, it brought a scale of entertainment infrastructure the Finger Lakes had never seen. The full-service resort features a sprawling gaming floor with over 1,600 slot machines and nearly 100 table games, a 205-room hotel, multiple restaurants and bars, and a dedicated entertainment venue that regularly books national touring acts. It is, by a wide margin, the largest single entertainment complex between Syracuse and Rochester, and its presence has reshaped the region's nightlife and events landscape.

Del Lago has earned Silver for Best Gaming Establishment three consecutive years running (2023-2025), along with a Silver nod for Best Concert Venue — recognition that reflects both the scale of the operation and the consistent quality of the experience. The gaming floor is modern and well-maintained, the table minimums accommodate both casual players and serious gamblers, and the resort's dining options range from quick bites to full sit-down meals. The Vine, their entertainment venue, pulls acts that would otherwise skip the Finger Lakes entirely on regional tours.

For visitors already in the region for wine tasting or lake recreation, del Lago adds a dimension that the Finger Lakes traditionally lacked — a late-night, high-energy option that does not involve driving to Syracuse or Rochester. For locals, it has become a reliable Friday-night destination with enough variety under one roof to sustain repeat visits. The resort also functions as a practical base for tourists, with its hotel rooms putting guests within easy striking distance of Seneca Lake, the Montezuma wetlands, and the surrounding wine country.