Mention the word ‘casino’ to anyone and the first place that comes to mind would probably be Las Vegas. That is quite understandable, as most of the world’s largest and best land-based casinos are located in this popular city in Nevada.
But Las Vegas isn’t the only city in the world that has excellent casinos to offer. There are countless land-based casinos outside Las Vegas--and even outside the United States--that can give you the kind of gambling experience you’re looking for. Some of them may even surprise you with services and facilities that go way beyond your expectations.
20 Best Casinos Outside Las Vegas
Atlantis Resort and Casino (Paradise Island, Bahamas)
This casino just might be as magical as the kingdom described in the legend. Situated in Paradise Island, the casino spans a 7-acre lagoon and boasts more than 700 slots, a Las Vegas-style race and sportsbook, and several stunning glass sculptures in various areas of the resort and casino. More than the casino itself, they also have the luxury yacht harbor Atlantic Marina and the Bridge Suite, for your ultimate relaxation.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
Home to the largest poker room in Atlantic City, the Borgata boasts a gaming floor that spans a total of 161,000 square feet. It regularly hosts poker tournaments where some of the world’s best players test their skills against each other. The casino has 4,100 games to offer on their spacious gaming floor. Of these, 285 are card and table games. It also has 17 bars where you can chill in between games and an equally impressive hotel, with restaurants that include Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay Steak. There’s also a boutique hotel within the hotel itself, which cost $400 million to build.
Casino Baden-Baden (Baden-Baden, Germany)
Said to have been called the most beautiful casino in Germany by Marlene Dietrich, this establishment was founded in 1824 and is situated in the famous German spa town. The town is also home to the world-famous Fabergè Museum. And when Dostoyevsky visited the town, he was inspired to write The Gambler.
The casino also has areas dedicated to slot machines and classical gaming. The ground floor is where you will find the tables for roulette, blackjack, and poker. The slot machines can be found under vaulted ceilings in the basement. Proof of this casino’s grandeur is the fact that they have a dress code. Male players are requested to come in a jacket and tie. There’s also a nightclub and restaurant at the casino, plus the Brenners Park Hotel and Spa is just a few steps away.
Casino Barrière Les Princes (Cannes, France)
The French city of Cannes is known all over the world for its haute spirit, and this casino is very much a part of that spirit. Located on the Croisette, just a few steps from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, this casino offers 270 new generation slot machines as well as table games like Texas hold’em and craps. And among the things that really make it stand out is the eye-catching display of luxurious chandeliers.
Down the road from the casino is its sister hotel, the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes. The hotel boasts a Christian Dior Penthouse, a Clarins spa, a private beach, and a screening room. You will also be awed by the Rotunde Louise Pommery Champagne lounge.
Casino de Monte-Carlo (Monte Carlo, Monaco)
This gorgeous casino has been looking out at the Caribbean since 1863, and its longevity may be the biggest proof of the high standards it adheres to. Over the years, customers have come to love details that add to the overall experience, such as rococo ceilings, glass chandeliers, and a stunning marble-and-gold atrium.
Casino Lisboa (Lisbon, Portugal)
This casino in Lisbon has a total gaming floor area of 165,000 square feet. They also have a thousand gaming machines on the floor and 26 card and table games, which includes poker tables, of course. Other than that, it has 7 bars for you to chill in, plus a thousand hotel rooms for you to relax in when you need some time away from the betting.
City of Dreams Resort (Manila, Philippines)
This sprawling property features not just a casino, but several casinos, along with three luxury hotels. The Crown Towers, the Nobu Hotel, and the Hyatt City of Dreams are all part of this impressive establishment. If you’re looking for premier private gaming experience, head on to the Signature Club. If what you’re after is some relaxation at a private salon or dining area, they have the Li Ying VIP Club to offer. They even have a nightclub that promises to treat you like royalty.
Crown Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia)
This Australian complex boasts three hotels, one of which is the Crown Towers. Other than that, it also has two spas and a casino spanning 220,000 square feet. The casino even has a VIP room for their high-stakes players. There are also restaurants in the complex that are among the world’s most respected, including Nobu, Rockpool Bar and Grill, and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
Foxwoods Resort Casino (Mashantucket, Connecticut)
This premier Connecticut gaming resort boasts a gaming floor that spans 340,000 square feet. It has a total of 7,000 gaming machines on this huge gaming floor. Of these, 4,500 are slot machines that range from penny games to $100 minimums, 400 card and table games, high-stakes Bingo at one of the largest Bingo halls in the world, the East Coast’s largest poker room, and a race book that boasts 50-foot digital projection screens.
And if you want to stay for more than a day or two, they have four hotel properties offering a total of 824 hotel rooms, 29 bars, and more than 30 restaurants for you to enjoy.
Grand Sierra Resort (Reno, Nevada)
This resort features a casino spanning 80,000 square feet and brimming with practically everything you could ever want from a betting establishment. Slot machines, table games, a live poker room, a high-limit area, and Keno are just some of the things you’ll find when you step through their doors. They even have Bingo and poker tournaments to add to the already exciting atmosphere. And you’re also sure to appreciate the 14,200 square-foot William Hill sports book in the property, which boasts 130 TV screens.
Harrah’s Resort Southern California (Valley Center, California)
The casino in this resort effectively brings the Vegas experience to Southern California. It has 60 table games and 1,700 slot machines. They also offer a wide variety of video poker machines and Blazing 7s games. If you’re a non-smoker, don’t fret. The casino has an area that’s especially designed for you, and it has 100 popular machines. If you’re a high-stakes kind of player, then you’re sure to enjoy the high-stakes slot room where you can bet on slot games with denominations of up to $100.
L’Auberge Casino Resort (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
Located only two hours from the Houston metro area, this casino offers a convenient place to chill in 70,000-square-feet of gaming space. They have 70 table games and about 1,600 slot machines. They also have a High Limits Salon, which offers even more table games as well as slots with denominations of up to $100. If you’re a poker enthusiast, you’ll love the 2,100-square-foot poker room with six tables, plus a semi-private high-stakes table.
Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)
Built in 2010 as a $5.6 billion property, this casino is the epitome of lavishness, with 600 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines. They also have electronic tables, an indoor skating rink, the longest elevated swimming pool in the world, and even a museum. The property also has three hotel towers with 55 storeys each and 2,561 rooms in total. They are linked by a roof terrace called Sky Park.
If all these aren’t enough, there is also a nightclub within the property, restaurants including Spago by Wolfgang Puck, and an observatory deck with a 360-degree view of the glittering Singapore skyline. They even have an 800,000-square-foot mall with storefronts like Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.
MGM Macau (Macau, China)
This China-based casino has a gaming floor covering over 220,000 square feet. It boasts 835 game machines on this massive gaming floor. You can choose from 410 card and table games, including poker tables. The property also has 12 bars and 593 hotel rooms where you can chill in between games.
Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, Connecticut)
This casino is nestled in the quiet foothills of Connecticut. However, it is far from quiet, being one of the largest casinos in the country. It spans 364,000 square feet of gaming space. The property actually houses three casinos: the Casino of the Earth, Casino of the Wind, and Casino of the Sky. Between these three casinos, the property boasts 5,000 slot machines, 275 table games, 42 poker tables, and two smoke-free areas.
Other than the usual slots and table games, this casino offers games like Caribbean stud poker and keno. The casino also allows betting on races in the United States, England, and Australia. They even have an area designed like a traditional Asian market where you will find Asian table games such as Baccarat and Pai Gow Poker. And if you want to relax in between games, they have restaurants, nightclubs, a golf course, a luxury hotel, two theaters, and a spa.
Pechanga Resort & Casino (Temecula, California)
Having just recently been expanded, this property has a casino floor spanning 188,000 square feet, the largest in California. They offer 4,000 slots, 154 gaming tables, a non-smoking poker room, and a 700-seat Bingo hall.
Sands Macao (Macau, China)
This casino boasts a gaming floor that spans 229,000 square feet. It houses 750 slot machines and a thousand card and table games, including poker tables. The property also has 7 bars and 51 hotel rooms where you can relax in between games.
The Clermont Club (London, United Kingdom)
Located in London’s exclusive Mayfair on Berkeley Square, this private gaming club is an invitation-only place, which has lured aristocrats since the early 19th century. Besides the gambling, this place is also famous for the scandals it has been associated with over the years, including financial cons and murder cover-up rumors.
The Venetian Macao (Macau, China)
This $2.4 billion replica of the original Venetian is currently the world’s largest casino. The casino space alone, at 546,000 square feet, is the same size as the Windsor Castle, and the game they offer range from roulette to Chinese Sic Bo. they have 3,000 gaming tables on their gaming floor. There are 870 card and table games, including poker tables.
This place is most definitely a gambler’s paradise. The property also includes 24 bars and a large hotel with 3,000 hotel rooms, the best of which spans 3,830 square feet and has its very own spa facility for those who want a private place for relaxation.
Tusk Rio Casino Resort (Klerksdorp, South Africa)
This South African casino has a gaming floor that covers 266,330 square feet. It boasts 257 games on its gaming floor. It also offers 12 card and table games, including poker tables. Additionally, the casino has 2 bars. This is currently the 5th largest casino in the world.
This list may be far from exhaustive, but it clearly shows that there’s no need for you to go to Las Vegas if what you’re after is a relaxing time at the slots or gaming tables. Wherever you may be in the world, there is sure to be a gambling venue that suits your tastes, or at least one that’s situated not too far away. And some of the world’s best casinos are, in fact, located outside Las Vegas.
The next time you feel like rolling the dice or hitting the slots, check your locality. There just might be a world-class casino a short drive away.
