While online casino play has dominated the industry in recent years, there is still a place for bricks and mortar establishments. Digital operators provide convenience and accessibility to a whole new customer base, but they can never quite match the playing experience that physical casinos provide.
Players will often travel to their local gaming halls, but many enjoy casino tourism: There are iconic locations all over the world that are renowned for offering plenty to entertain visitors, including the best possible gaming experience.
Las Vegas
When compiling any list of casino destinations, there’s really only one place to start. Las Vegas is considered as the top location for casino tourism, thanks to its huge choice of glitzy buildings, right across its famous strip.
Some of the most popular venues here include Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, The Venetian, Caesars Palace and Ellis Island. The casinos are often referred to as resorts, as they also offer hotel suites, bars and restaurants and much more.
Unlike some of the other locations on this list, Las Vegas is focused on casino play, and there are limited options for any other kind of tourism. You could always travel to Nevada’s other top attraction, the Hoover Dam, which is a 45-minute drive away.
Alternatively, when you’re not at the gaming tables, you can simply enjoy the type of luxury accommodation including spas and fine dining, that the casino complexes also offer.
London
The United Kingdom has always been at the forefront of casino play and sports betting. There are top class venues all across the region, but the highest density can be found in London.
There’s a huge choice, but the most popular casinos here are situated in busy areas. A high proportion of the favoured venues are in London’s West End, and they include the Hippodrome, Aspers, The Sportsman and Palm Beach.
London also has the benefit of hosting some of the most historic tourist attractions in the world. Even if you’re chiefly here for the casinos, it would be silly to miss out on top locations such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Pauls Cathedral and many more.
Macau
Casino play across much of China is heavily restricted, but those rules are relaxed in the special administrative region of Macau. It’s known across the world as the ‘Las Vegas of China’ and that’s a clue as to what you can expect here.
Many of the top venues here are extravagantly designed and similar in outlay to those found in Vegas. There will be a huge choice of games too, at the more popular outlets such as the Grand Lisboa and the Macau Palace, which is a floating casino.
There are some other tourist attractions in Macau including the Panda Pavillion and the ruins of St Pauls, a 16th century cathedral.
New Zealand
It may not be the most obvious place for casino tourism, but if you want to combine gameplay with some of the most stunning scenery on earth, New Zealand is the place to be. Among the incredible natural locations are mountains, glaciers, fjords and hot springs.
The best casinos are found in the main cities and they include SkyCity Auckland and the Christchurch Casino.
Atlantic City
Casino tourism in the United States isn’t all about Las Vegas. Over in the southeast, Atlantic City has also welcomed physical casinos for decades, and this has been a gaming hub long before rules were relaxed by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Many of the casino brands that are active in Vegas also have a presence here. There’s a huge selection for tourists, but some of the most popular locations include the MGM Tower, the Sheraton Atlantic City and the Showboat Resort.
Like Las Vegas, casino tourism is a focal point for the state, but there are some other attractions to see. Alternatively, a cruise around the Hudson can take you up to the Statue of Liberty or across to the many great visitor sites in New York City.
A Mixed Future
While these casino locations continue to prove popular, the future for offline operators remains uncertain. Many of those situated in less glamorous locations have been forced to close their doors due to a massive shift towards online play.
Even in those traditional casino cities such as London, the rise in online casinos has led to many venues calling it a day. While there is this gloomy side to the industry, the locations on this list will continue to thrive.
By offering tourists an all-round package of casino play, along with luxury accommodation, fine dining and more, the owners add to the experience and make it one that the visitors will never forget.
Online casinos will continue to attract more revenue moving forward, but while these iconic destinations exist, real world gaming will never go away.