🎰 Gambling tourism: top 15 best casinos in the world for an unforgettable vacation 🃏
For some, the most powerful impression of the trip is to see St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican or Big Ben. Someone would give the whole world for views of Yellowstone and Yosemite parks. Don’t feed someone bread, but let them try a real French baguette in Paris. But today we will amuse the category of travelers whose heart skips a beat from the ball sliding on the roulette wheel and the flashing symbols on the “one-armed bandit” display.
The gambling tour is the most saturated with adrenaline, strong emotions and impressions. Often, people go not even for winning, but for the indescribable feelings of excitement and risk. We are sharing with you a list of places that are guaranteed to satisfy such desires. But first, of course, we are looking for air tickets there.
Monte Carlo (Monaco)
You can put an equal sign between Monte Carlo and a European casino. All the best traditions and characteristics of gambling houses in Europe originated from the dwarf principality on the French Riviera. We wrote about the most interesting places and cuisine of Monaco in a separate publication.
Even those who have never been to gambling establishments have heard a lot about Monte Carlo. We can partially attribute this to a popular brand of cigarettes, but still, first of all, the local casino created a global brand. Every self-respecting game lover must visit here. After all, the Monte Carlo casino is distinguished by a special combination of sophistication, luxury and status.
If you are not going to gamble, but want to penetrate the soul of the principality, until 14:00 admission to the Monte Carlo casino is free for ordinary tourists (cost 18 euros). Complement your admiration for the architecture and decoration with a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne in the cozy Salon Rose restaurant.
Speaking of architecture: the casino building was built in the bozar style, distinguished by its pomp and oriental motifs. Its author is the legendary Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris Grand Opera (read our guide to Paris here ). Inside the building you will find several halls open to every visitor. The entrance to the playing area is preceded by an Atrium with a statue of the Goddess of Luck. We hope that her gaze will fall on you and some of the gold coins from the cornucopia in the hands of the goddess will move into your pockets. This is followed by the Salon of Europe, the White Hall, the Hall of the Two Americas, the Medsan Hall, and the Tuze Hall.
When it's game time, access to the halls is limited. There are exclusively private salons where the most privileged and wealthy players are invited. In addition, with each subsequent hall, the dress code becomes stricter. It is prohibited to visit the casino in sports, beach and informal clothes (more details here). And you can’t get into the Medsan and Tuze halls without costumes.
What are we playing? The Monte Carlo casino offers European and English roulette, craps, blackjack, punto banco and poker. If you like to spend time alone with a slot machine, we recommend visiting the neighboring casino Café de Paris, an example of cutting-edge technology in the gaming industry.
Macau (China)
From European Monte Carlo to Eastern Monte Carlo. This is the name given to the main Asian gaming hub – the special administrative region of China – Macau.
Somehow the impression of strict China does not fit with gambling and flowing rivers of champagne, does it? The fact is that Macau is a former Porto Gaul colony that returned to China only in 1999, with a special economic and legal status. The Chinese authorities are in no hurry to send their newly found “golden calf” to slaughter: it’s no joke, the gaming business brings in 70% of Macau’s income and attracts the richest people on the planet to China.
Today, Macau is considered the gaming capital of the world. Proof of this is the Venetian Macao casino, which opened in 2007 – the largest gaming house on Earth (and the fifth largest building). Not only does it have 3,000 hotel rooms, 3,400 slot machines and 800 gaming tables. So even inside the building you can immerse yourself in the Italian atmosphere and ride a gondola from one hall to another.
All visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a unique Cirque du Soleil performance. And from time to time you can also attend exhibition tennis, basketball matches and boxing matches.
Entrance to the casino area is usually free. And unlike Monte Carlo, the dress code is simpler – smart casual style is enough. But the minimum bet in games is scary: on most tables it starts at $300. However, no one bothers you to come and have a look.
When you manage to emerge from the gaming abyss of Venetian Macao, we recommend going to one of the oldest casinos in the city, which has preserved the European traditions of Grand Lisboa. It was the first to bring Texas Hold'em, the most popular form of poker, to Macau. The permanent exhibition at Grand Lisboa also houses the “Star of Stanley Ho,” one of the largest diamonds in the world.
Las Vegas (USA)
If the “old school” prefers to try their luck the old fashioned way in Monte Carlo or Macau, then for the new generation of players the symbol of fortune is the pearl of the desert – American Las Vegas. Are you thinking about visiting the USA? Entrust your US visa to professionals. We have collected inspiring routes here and here.
Hollywood and, especially, a series of films about Ocean's Friends contributed a lot to the popularity of local casinos. The Bellagio casino alone is worth it: it was robbed in “Ocean’s 11, “ it was used for carousing in “The Hangover,” and family relationships were sorted out in “Lucky.” Well, the singing and dancing fountains of Bellagio have played more roles in films than the average Hollywood actor. In general, not for the game, but at least for aesthetic ecstasy it’s worth going there.
In general, Las Vegas casinos, even the most expensive ones, are as accessible as possible to the average consumer. There is no dress code (unless we are talking about private rooms), you don’t have to pay for entry, you can bet at least a few cents. But there is no charm similar to Monte Carlo and Macau. It's like a beautiful package of chocolates with very mediocre products inside. Vegas casinos are brought down to earth, turning a fairy tale into everyday life and dispelling the magic.
However, the experience of the world's gaming industry will not be complete without the legendary MGM Grand, Luxor, Caesars, Paradise and Venetian on the list of visits. MGM is known for the sporting and entertainment events it houses, especially Cirque du Soleil and the David Copperfield show. And the Luxor, furnished in Egyptian style, boasts the most powerful beam of light on the planet emanating from its black pyramid. It can even be seen from orbit.
The range of games in Las Vegas is standard: roulette, baccarat, craps, complemented by classic American blackjack, three-card poker and pai gow, imported from the east.
Atlantic City (USA)
In the United States, the construction of casinos on land is allowed in only two cities – Vegas and Atlantic City. According to the authorities, all other gambling houses should be floating.
Atlantic City is the little brother of Las Vegas and a haven for gamblers on the East Coast of the United States. We told you what the east coast is rich in and what cities are worth visiting. You can easily arrange tours to the USA through an agency.
The undoubted advantage of Atlantic City is that the city is located on the ocean coast. And in it you can combine emotional evenings at the roulette table with relaxing on a sun lounger during the day. Most of the city's hotels are “resorts,” that is, they combine accommodation, entertainment and spa treatments. By the way, we have also prepared a list of the best chain hotels.
In other respects, however, the east coast is much inferior to the west coast. Local casinos are significantly smaller in scale, lacking the scale and pomp of Las Vegas. But those who prefer thoughtful, calm games to a buzzing hive and cauldron of passions will like Atlantic City.
The city's most popular casinos are Bally's, Borgata, Caesars and Hard Rock Casino. Taking advantage of the fact that it is not as crowded as in the heart of Nevada, the local gambling houses are often frequented by celebrities, keep your eyes open!
It is also worth remembering that according to US law, persons under 21 years of age are prohibited from playing in casinos. They can enter the gambling houses only if accompanied by adults, but they cannot even stop to watch the game.
Baden-Baden (Germany)
And again to old Europe. German casinos are not the most famous representatives of their kind. But with a long and worthy history.
Baden-Baden is known as a city of spas. However, it’s not just the hot springs and beautiful views of the lake that attract you. The temptation to try your luck in Baden-Baden is as great as the desire to plunge into healing waters. This very temptation almost destroyed the classic of Russian literature Fyodor Dostoevsky: the writer lost himself to smithereens here twice and found himself in difficult life situations. True, if not for them, we would not have seen his literary masterpieces. The first loss inspired Dostoevsky to write his novel The Gambler. The second ruin, committed in the same casino, and even during the honeymoon, foreshadowed the birth of “The Idiot.”
The Baden casino is more about aesthetics and beautiful stories. Actress Marlene Dietrich called him the most elegant in the world. Although at that time there was no Venetian in Macau and the architectural masterpieces of Vegas, Dietrich’s words are still relevant today. The casino premises resemble palace halls. Your appearance will have to match them: jackets are required for men, ties or bow ties are highly desirable, ladies are expected to wear evening dresses.
There is a small fee for participation in classic games – five euros. Players have access to blackjack, Texas poker, roulette and slot machines.
Are you looking for how to get a Schengen visa to play in a European casino? Visa appointments are handled by the Madera Full Service Visa Center.
Singapore
Another dwarf state has a gambling house that is constantly included in the top lists of world casinos. This is Marina Bay Sands. Its views adorn most photographs of travelers who have visited Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands is considered the most expensive casino in the world: its construction cost $8 billion. However, as in other similar establishments, the complex has not only a casino, but also other buildings – a hotel, a spa area, the world's longest swimming pool, an art museum and… an entire tropical forest with a waterfall on the roof (collectively called “cloud forest”). So don’t forget about the real purpose of visiting there – the game.
As for the gaming zone, entry to it is free for foreigners (so that locals do not fall into the abyss of excitement, unlike tourists, they need to pay $150 a day). Dress code is smart casual.
Inside you will find 2,300 slot machines and 500 gaming tables, where you can play baccarat, roulette, sic-bo and, only here and now, Singapore poker. According to the administration, it was specially invented for the opening of this casino. If you get bored at the casino, we invite you to take a walk around the city.
Sun City (South Africa)
We complete the list with the most unusual gaming resort. South Africa is a country of safari, wildlife, roaring rivers, gold and diamond mines. But jewelry can be mined not only in the depths of the African soil, but also on its surface. For this purpose, several large entertainment complexes have been built here. One of them, Sun City, is an entire city, for which it is called the “African Las Vegas”.
You can safely go there with the whole family. While adults earn (or squander) wealth, children will have fun at the huge Valley of Waves water park or the Kamp Kwena entertainment complex. There is also a place for adults to take a break from gambling: the resort includes several golf courses, a water entertainment center, an elephant and crocodile farm, and the Pilanesberg National Park is located nearby.
Even if you're not staying at one of the luxury hotels (we recommend the Palace of the Lost City), Sun City can be visited with a regular ticket costing just over $20. By the way, South Africa is one of the top 6 places for wedding ceremonies. Shouldn't we repeat the example of Dostoevsky?
The casino in Sun City is not an end in itself, but a spicy seasoning for the main dish of your emotions. The games here are represented by a standard set of roulette, punto banco and blackjack, the entry rates are very low. But the winnings are not very big: the maximum jackpot in February 2024 was only $45,000. The dress code is smart casual.
Wherever you decide to play and try your luck, do not forget that real life is not at the gaming table, but beyond it. Make the right bet on your life priorities, and then your visit to the casino is guaranteed to be a memorable one. And, as the main antagonist of the Hunger Games saga, President Snow, said, “may luck always accompany you!”