Trend Alert:Gambling cities are rapidly becoming the most popular vacation destinations, grossing billions of dollars each year. Tourists from around the world flock to these cities not only for the chance to win money at the tables, but also to experience the impressive resorts, family-friendly attractions, world class entertainment, shopping, and restaurants. Take a trip to the glamorous Monte Carlo or hop a flight to the Far East with our list of the world’s best gambling cities.
Las Vegas
With over 100 casinos, Las Vegas provides the perfect gambling experience.
In a city where people can gamble all day and night, Las Vegas tops our list of the world’s best gambling cities. This American city sprung out of the desert dunes of Nevada back in the early 1900s. Coined “The Gambling Capital of the World”, Las Vegas has earned a reputation as a flashy destination for gamblers to overindulge themselves with every temptation imaginable such as nightclubs, concerts, shows, celebrity restaurants, drinking, escort services, strip clubs … you name it. Hey, they don’t call it Sin City for nothing!
Vegas houses many of the world’s largest gambling establishments including the MGM Grand Las Vegas, the Rio Vegas Casino, the Bellagio, the Venetian Las Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas, and The Palazzo. These elaborate casinos include replicas of Venice Italy and New York City.
Some of the city’s smaller casinos such as Casino Royal or the Flamingo allow bets on popular games for as low as $5. Meanwhile, Caesars Palace and MGM Grand make the perfect destination for high rollers. Poker players should check out the Mandalay Bay Casino while Blackjack aficionados should head to El Cortez. From sports betting to table games, Las Vegas gambling options are endless.
Planning a trip to Vegas? Find out what to pack with our Las Vegas Fashion Guide.
Macau
Macau boasts the world’s largest casino, the Venetian Macao, with a gambling space bigger than 4 American football fields.
Step aside Vegas – Macau wins hands down as the world’s biggest and baddest casino town. This coastal city and former Portuguese colony in Southern China came out on top back in 2006 as the highest grossing gambling mecca in the world. In 2013, the “Oriental Las Vegas” brought in over $45 billion from total gambling revenue. It currently houses 33 gambling facilities and 3,120 table games along with 7,900 slot and video poker machines.
Each year thousands of tourists flock to Macau for its enormous casino resorts, lush gardens, colonial architecture, and picturesque landscapes. The first-class hotel facilities create a glamorous gambling experience with their dazzling chandeliers and luxurious gaming rooms. It packs 33 casinos into 11 square miles with plans for plenty more to come.
Macau contains many of the world’s largest casinos including the Venetian Macao, The City of Dreams, Casino Ponte 16, Sands Macao, MGM Grand Macao, Casino Lisboa, and Wynn Macau. Baccarat stands out by far as the most popular game, but other popular gambling activities include sports betting, greyhound racing, horseracing, slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and poker. More than anything, Macau seems to attract super-high rollers and international gamblers from all over the world.
Read more about Macau’s burgeoning gambling market here.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino & Resort recreates the charm of Old Havana.
Atlantic City, New Jersey represents an international gambling hub in its own right, but it still manages to retain a small town charm. Nicknamed “AC” by locals, this major resort city in Northeastern United States attracts millions of visitors annually to its gambling establishments that sit right along the beach. Tourists can stroll the boardwalk along the seashore and sample the saltwater taffy, which has been a local specialty for over 100 years. It’s also a great location for golf as well as water activities like parasailing, fishing, and cruises.
Atlantic City currently has 11 casinos operating after the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel shut its doors in January 2014. Each casino has its own theme with Caesars modeling the Roman Empire, Bally’s with a Wild West theme, and Trump’s Taj Mahal as, well, you can probably guess. Whether looking to test your luck on the slots, play some high-stakes poker, or anything in between, you’ll find it here. Atlantic City casinos offer all the favorites including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, keno, sports betting, and table games.
With the legalization of internet gambling in New Jersey in 2013, many Atlantic City casinos opened their own online casinos. Read more here.
Monte Carlo
Coined “a playground for the rich and famous”, the glamorous Monte Carlo attracts European elite, world-class athletes, and A-list celebrities.
Monte Carlo’s blend of luxury and leisure coupled with classy casino resorts make this one of the world’s finest gambling destinations. Often referred to as “a playground for the rich and famous”, this picturesque gambler’s paradise along the French Riviera attracts Europe’s crème de la crème to gather and toast to the good life. While not technically a city, Monte Carlo officially refers to a large district in the Principality of Monaco. All the same, Monte Carlo's lavish casino resorts secure its place on our list of the hottest gambling getaways.
The famous Casino de Monte-Carlo triumphs over the city as a symbol of class and sophistication with its resplendent Belle-Époque architecture. Visitors can also explore the contemporary design of the Monte-Carlo Bay Casino, play the slots at the Casino Café de Paris, party it up at the Sun Casino, or place bets on the outdoor terrace at La Rascasse. When it comes to casino games, gamblers will find all varieties including roulette, blackjack, slots, craps, and poker. Outside of the casinos, tourists can enjoy the vibrant nightlife, relaxing spas, or stroll the cobbled boulevards and dine at its many restaurants.
Singapore
Singapore’s extraordinary sky-high Marina Bay Sands Casino features an infinity swimming pool on its roof overlooking the city.
While Monte Carlo represents Europe’s hub of status and affluence, Singapore has become Asia’s playground for the rich and famous. This island located in Southeast Asia only recently opened its first casinos back in 2010, but it already prevailed over Las Vegas as the world’s second largest gambling destination. Its enormous casino resorts come complete with fine dining establishments, casual restaurants, museums, aquariums, amusement parks, shopping centers, spas, and multiple hotels. Visitors to Singapore can find many betting options including baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker, pontoon, slots, money wheel, and sports betting as well as Asian casino games like pai gow, tai sai, and sic bo.
Singapore's two multi-billion-dollar gaming resorts attract millions of tourists each year. Located on the island of Sentosa off of Singapore’s southern coast, the Resorts World Sentosa contains two casinos, a Universal Studios theme park, and the largest aquarium in the world. The second the Marina Bay Sands, is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp. and represents the world’s most expensive casino resort, built at a staggering cost $5.5 billion. The Marina Bay has almost 500 tables with more than 200 game varieties.
Cick here to read more about Singapore’s multi-billion dollar gaming resorts.
