Land-Based Casinos
The history of US land-based casinos can be traced back to the 15th century. At that time, gambling was not considered illegal, and there were hardly any restrictions players had to comply with.
Over the years, the gambling sector worldwide has turned into a multi-million industry. Luxurious casino resorts became the jewel in the crown of the popular tourist destinations. Today, gambling is regarded as a source of passion, excitement and it is one of the few legal methods for becoming a millionaire in a matter of minutes.
It does not matter if you are a high-roller player who rolls the dice in the most popular gambling hubs or your gambling experience is limited to making occasional trips to the nearest land-based casino, you must have heard about the posh land-based casinos in the USA and Las Vegas, in particular. Although the Sin City is known as the gambling Mecca of the USA, there are a few more gambling hubs you need to know about.
It goes without saying that gambling at a casino in the USA provides you with unparalleled gambling experience, but if you are also curious to find out more about the land-based casinos in the world, keep reading and get familiar with the most attractive gambling destinations on a global scale.
Land-Based Casinos in USA
Every US state has its own legislative framework. As far as the online gambling is concerned, it is currently legal in three states – Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada, respectively. Some other states such as Nebraska attempt at establishing their first land-based casinos. In states such as Massachusetts, the gambling sector has remained untapped for quite some time, but now, the Bay state can boast about housing some of the best casinos in the USA. The most massive casino project in Massachusetts is yet to be materialized, but this is a matter discussed at a later stage in the article. To sum up, the East Coast features casinos that can be defined as the best casinos in the world, but let’s outline the most notable casino resorts throughout the entire country.
Nevada
The Stratosphere is a popular resort comprised of a casino, tower, and a hotel. Apart from the land-based casinos, Las Vegas offers plenty of activities and tourist attractions, but the Stratosphere will capture your attention. It is defined as one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The casino is situated on the Las Vegas Boulevard, north of the well-known Strip.
According to the initial design, the Stratosphere was supposed to be 553 meters high, but that plan was not materialized due to safety risks because of the McCarran International Airport. Today, the Stratosphere casino spreads over 7,400 square meters and offers a comprehensive range of table games, slots, video poker terminals.
Bellagio is one of the land-based casinos in the USA popular for offering exclusive gambling options in luxurious settings. It is managed by MGM Resorts International. The latter operates some of the best land-based casinos in the world. The elegance Bellagio is known for is inspired by the lake town of Bellagio in Italy.
The casino spreads over an area of 10, 800 square meters and offers a plethora of gambling facilities as well as a professional poker room. The resort hosts some of the most prestigious poker tournaments, and it is among the favorite land-based casinos of VIP players because of the high table limits. Yet, it does not mean you would be unable to find a slot machine or a table that has limits you are comfortable with. Needless to say, you should not miss trying the fine dining facilities and visiting the attractions available on the premises.
Wynn Resorts is a prestigious brand owned by the casino mogul Steve Wynn. All Wynn-branded land-based casinos in the world are known for the elegance, the courteous customer service and the incredible range of gambling, dining and shopping facilities.
As for the Las Vegas-based property, it is not an exception of the aforementioned description. The staff is ready to accommodate any special request; the 45-story hotel features 2,700 rooms, and the best of all is that you can book a room at a reasonable price. The earlier you plan your trip, the less expensive accommodation you will be. The property also features a nightclub, an outdoor pool, golf course, gym and of course, a fantastic range of gambling facilities.
Operated by Brookfield Asset Management and Warner Gaming, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has become a household name in the gambling industry. The gaming space is 2,800 square meters and apart from gambling options, visitors can enjoy a wonderful range of shopping, dining and entertainment facilities.
During the years, the resort has undergone several massive renovations to become an appealing gambling spot for tourists and locals alike.
These were some of the must-visit gambling spots in Las Vegas, but the Cosmopolitan, the MGM Grand, the Venetian, the Mirage, Caesars Palace as well as some smaller casinos are also worthy of mentioning. If you have a modest bankroll and you are not particularly keen on trying the gambling, shopping and dining options at the luxurious resorts, you are probably looking for land-based casinos where the stakes are lower. In this case, you are advised to pay a visit to Casino Royale or Sunset.
New Jersey
New Jersey used to be the most popular gambling destination on the East Coast. To be more precise, Atlantic City attracts casino players. There are no land-based casinos in the other parts of the state although attempts are currently made and there is a chance for casinos to be built in North Jersey. As for Atlantic City casinos, they have been recently hit by a massive revenue decline, which led to the closures of several venues – Revel, the Showboat, Trump Plaza to name a few. However, it does not mean Atlantic City is an unattractive gambling destination. On the contrary – the remaining casinos offer excitement and incredible gambling options.
Borgata is a luxurious casino resort offering more than 200 variations of the most widespread casino games including Baccarat, Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Slots. The hotel accommodation boasts about its nice furnishing and elegance. The leisure activities you can take advantage of while on the premises can hardly be counted.
Atlantic City is frequently referred as the gambling capital of the East Coast and it is not a coincidence some of the most prestigious poker tournaments take place in the land-based casinos it houses. Borgata is a vivid example of an attractive gambling spot that plays host to major poker tourneys on a regular basis.
If you are looking for a land-based casino that successfully incorporates Ancient Rome style and first-class gambling options, Caesars Atlantic City is the place to visit. The hotel features 1,200 luxurious rooms located in four towers – the Ocean Tower, the Centurion Tower, and the two Temple Towers.
As for the casino floor, the excitement and the money flow never end. Along with the standard gambling offerings, the casino features an Asian gambling area. No matter if you visit Caesars to dine out or to roll the dice, you will get more than what you have expected. The courteous staff will contribute to your memorable stay on the premises.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City is one of the oldest land-based casinos in the region. During the years, the facilities and the product offering were considerably improved, and now visitors can enjoy friendly customer service, luxurious hotel accommodation at an affordable price and of course, unparalleled gambling experience.
The casino is comprised of the most popular casino games – Slots, Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Asian Games and their most popular variations. No matter if you are impatient to feel the thrill of playing at one of the most popular land-based casinos in USA or you are looking for shaking off stress by using the recreational facilities, rest assured you will find what you are looking for.
Whatever we say about Tropicana, it would not be enough to describe the gripping atmosphere and the superior gambling and hotel facilities. Tropicana is one of the largest land-based casinos in Atlantic City. Along with the innumerable shopping, dining and entertainment options, Tropicana offers a spacious gambling floor where you can feel the excitement of winning an overwhelming amount while playing your favorite game be it Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Slots, Three Card Poker or Asian Games. If you join the Tropicana Loyalty Club, you qualify for some awesome bonuses and promotions.
Connecticut
Connecticut casinos are known for attracting players from the neighbouring states – Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Although it does not have as many casinos as Atlantic City, the Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun, attract players not only from the nearby states but from all over the country. What could be more exciting than enjoying Blackjack, Slots, Paw Gow, Roulette, Baccarat and they visit an elegant restaurant to celebrate your profitable stay on the casino floor? In other words, if you happen to visit Connecticut, don’t miss to pay a visit to these two resorts.
Illinois
Let’s move away from the fascinating gambling options the East Coast is packed with and focus on yet another popular gambling spot in the US, namely Chicago. If you are planning a getaway and you are looking for a place offering a combination of exciting casino games, shopping options, entertainment facilities and tourist attractions, you should calculate how long it would take you to get to Chicago.
Harrah’s Hotel Casino Joliet is a casino resort that will make you spoilt for choice which game to try first. It is known as a casino offering the most extensive number of poker variations including but not restricted to Three Card Poker, Video Poker, Let it Ride, Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud Poker. The other gambling options such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Slots, Roulette are not to be underestimated as well. In addition, you have gourmet restaurants, bars, shops, a fitness center at your disposal.
If you want to stay away from the busy life in the center of Chicago, you’d better head to the east part of the city and indulge in a fantastic gambling session at Ameristar Casino. Blackjack, Dice games, nearly 2,000 slot machines, and Roulette await you to prove your flawless gambling skills and win a fantastic reward for your efforts. You are also recommended to visit the restaurants offering seafood and dishes influenced by the international cuisine. Of course, don’t forget to visit the gift shop and buy a souvenir that will remind you of the great time spent on Ameristar Casino premises.
Although Rivers Casino is one of the recently established land-based casinos in the area, it has built a solid reputation as an attractive gambling and leisure spot. The venue is known as a gathering place for celebrities, so if you want to spoil yourself and feel the glamorous atmosphere, don’t hesitate to book your stay at the hotel. More than 50 table games and nearly 1,000 slots will fuel your passion for casino games. No matter if you are an experienced player or you try your luck from time to time, the incredible variety of gambling options guarantees you will not leave the Rivers Casino premises empty-pocketed.
Land-Based Casinos in the World
Asia
Macau
Macau is often called the Asian gambling Mecca. It is a former Portuguese colony and a Chinese administrative region. Macau has recently experienced a record revenue slump due to the anti-corruption campaign of the Chinese President Xi Jinping that made high rollers choose a different gambling destination. The good news is that the market is slowly but surely recovering from the significant losses, and now it is predominantly focused on attracting mass-market players. Let’s check some of the most popular land-based casinos in Macau.
Opened in June 2009, City of Dreams is a glamorous casino resort, spreading across 39, 000 square metres. It is owned by Melco Crown Entertainment and offers more than 550 gaming tables and over 1000 slot machines. Apart from gambling options, the mega resort also offers food and beverage facilities as well as a wide number of entertainment options and attractions such as the Vquarium, the Bubble Fountain, the Dancing Water Theatre. City of Dreams is located on the Strip, right opposite the Venetian.
It would not be enough to say that Galaxy is one of the most lavish casino resorts in Macau. It is connected to the airport and the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, so guests are provided with a free transport. The casino offers a fantastic range of slots as well as the classic table games live Baccarat, Roulette, Sic Bo, and Blackjack. The six cupolas of the casino are covered in 24-carat gold. Some of the attractions you should not visit while on the premises are the Fortune Diamond Show, the Crystal Callery, the Laser Show.
Grand Lisboa has been accepting passionate casino players since 2007. It features more than 800 gaming tables as well as the latest slot games. Although the casino offers the most widespread Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette variations, players define it as the best place in Macau for playing Craps and Texas Hold’em. Grand Lisboa houses the biggest poker room in Asia and it regularly plays host to some of the most prestigious poker tournaments taking place on the continent. Needless to say, it offers fancy hotel accommodation and a huge number of entertainment facilities.
Speaking of lavish land-based casinos in Macau, we should not miss mentioning the Venetian, known as the venue featuring the largest casino floor on the continent. The casino itself is divided into four zones and each of them has a different theme. You will find as many as 800 gaming tables and more than 3000 slot machines.
Apart from the gambling options, the Venetian also offers entertainment facilities, fancy restaurants, a golf course, and shops.
Singapore
Two of the best land-based casinos in the world are located in Singapore. The casino industry in the country is currently experiencing its revival. Apart from the land-based casinos, attempts toward online gambling legalization are made, but people with knowledge of the matter say that would be a long process with an uncertain outcome.
It is important to mention that Singapore residents are required to pay a fee in order to be allowed to enter the casino premises, but if you are a tourist, you are welcome to enjoy the fantastic facilities Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa offer.
Resorts World Sentosa is a multi-million integrated resort, owned and managed by Resorts World. It features six hotels, a shopping centre, night clubs, as well as a huge number of dining options. Don’t miss to try the meals prepared by Joël Robuchon before you challenge the house.Your outstanding gambling experience is guaranteed as the casino offers more than 500 gaming tables and more than 1,300 slots and electronic games.
Marina Bay Sands is one of the iconic buildings in Singapore. It is the 34th largest casino property in the world and it is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular places to visit in Asia. As for the casino, it offers 7 UP Baccarat, Fortune Six No Commission Baccarat, Power 98 Baccarat, Mini/ Midi Baccarat, Blackjack Lucky 8, Blackjack Ace Race, Craps, Megalink Singapore Stud Poker, Megalink Texas Hold’em Bonus Progressive, Megalink Three Card Poker, Pontoon, Roulette, Sic Bo, Pai Gow, Money Wheel.
The Philippines
The Phillippines is a vivid example of a country that managed to turn its land-based casino industry into a thriving one. Although the country has some small-scale casinos, the establishment of the Resorts World Manila and City of Dreams Manila led to the fast development of the gambling sector.
Resorts World Manila had its soft launch in 2009, and it became popular as the first integrated resort in Metro Manila. Currently, the resort features four hotels and three more are slated to open soon. In addition, guests can enjoy signature restaurants, shopping facilities and of course, a spacious casino floor. The casino spreads over 323,000 square feet and it is open for visitors round the clock. The variety of 300 table games and 1,500 slot machines guarantees you will find a game that meets your preferences for a stake and theme.
City of Dreams Manila is an upper-class integrated resort that opened doors for visitors in February 2015. It is located on the Entertainment City gaming strip, and it strikes a fine balance between luxury and diversity. Along with the culinary offerings, you will also find a number of accommodation and leisure facilities as well as a spacious casino floor offering premier games. As many as 1,700 electronic games and 380 gaming tables intended for VIP and mass players are on offer at City of Dreams Manila.
Australia
Australian casinos have always been an attractive spot for high rollers and mass players alike. They are associated with glamour, thrill and an incredible range of gambling options. The largest casino in Australia is Melbourne Crown Casino, managed by the casino mogul James Packer. The other Australia-based property, owned by Crown Resorts, is Crown Perth.
The second largest casino is The Star, in Sydney. It features elegant hotel rooms, bars, restaurants and a casino divided into three parts – Electronic Gaming, Table Games and Poker, respectively. The table bets range between $25 and $75,000, so no matter if you are a VIP player or a mass player, you will find a table that meets your preferences.
Speaking of land-based casinos in Australia, we cannot skip the Treasury Casino in Brisbane and the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns. Both venues offer a comprehensive range of classic and contemporary casino games including but not restricted to Baccarat, Craps, Pai Gow, Roulette, Three Card Poker.
Europe
When it comes to land-based casinos in Europe, the destinations that come to one’s mind are Monaco, UK or Malta. These three are undoubtedly the most popular gambling spots in Europe, but it does not mean your choice is strictly limited to Aspers and Hippodrome casinos in London, Dragonara in Malta or Casino de Monte Carlo. Although online gambling legalization is frowned upon in the majority of European countries, the land-based casinos are worthy of visiting.
Although Baden-Baden is predominantly associated with the recreational facilities, you might be delighted to find out that Casino Baden-Baden is considered one of the best land-based casinos in Europe. It is well-known for the elegant settings and the variety of slots and table games. At the time of writing this article, the casino features 113 slots as well as Baccarat, French/ American Roulette and Poker tables.
If visiting Paris is included in your itinerary for the upcoming months, don’t let the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champs Elysees completely capture your attention. Of course, missing to visit these iconic places is unacceptable, but if you are looking for a casino venue with a spotless reputation, the Aviation Club de France is worthy of visiting. Over the years, it has gained popularity as the main venue for poker in Paris. It also played host to a number of prestigious poker tourneys including WSOP. It offers a decent number of table games including Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack.
The other notable land-based casinos in France are the Palais de la Méditerranée Casino in Nice, the Lyon Vert Casino, Barrière d’Enghien-les-Bains.
If the dreary London weather is capable of killing your enthusiasm for gambling, you’d better head to a destination where you can soak in the sunlight, visit a number of tourists attractions and win some real money. Barcelona has a lot to offer to casino players and tourists. Make sure you set aside some time for playing at Casino Barcelona between visiting the iconic Sagrada Familia, the Salvador Dali Museum and the endless beaches.
Italy is one of the few European countries where both land-based casinos and online gambling are legal. As for the land-based casinos, one of the most popular ones is Casino Sanremo. It offers exciting poker tournaments, classic and modern table games, slots. It is located close to Casino Monte Carlo – simply known as one of the most famous land-based casinos in the world. So, if you want to kill two birds with one stone, you should visit both of them.
New Casino Establishments
All land-based casinos, mentioned above, have a solid reputation built over the years. However, the most popular gambling hubs around the world keep expanding and new fully-fledged casinos are opening everyday.
The Massachusetts gambling sector has remained largely untapped for a long time, but now, players have a few gambling options at their disposal. However, the jewel in the crown of Massachusetts gambling sector is scheduled to open in 2019. Wynn Boston Harbor in Everett, owned by Steve Wynn, met a bundle of administrative hurdles, but once it is fully operational, it is expected to become a serious rival of the nearby casinos.
MGM Springfield is scheduled to open in 2018, a year earlier than Boston Harbor.
Although Macau casinos are yet to fully recover from the considerable revenue decline, Cotai Strip has two new casinos. The Parisian Macau, which is a replica of the Eiffel Tower, had its grand opening on September 13th, 2016.
The other gem in the list of the new land-based casinos is Wynn Macau, which opened doors for visitors on August 22nd, 2016. The boutique casino Louis XIII was also opened in the summer of 2016. The multi-million project of MGM Resorts, MGM Cotai was completed by the first quarter of 2017.
Meanwhile, MGM National Harbor opened doors in December 2016.
Last but not least, Las Vegas is having another casino. Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino is the newest addition to the already extensive number of casinos on the Strip and its grand opening was on December 3rd, 2016.