Are you a passionate gambler who wants to travel abroad and visit cities where you can have fun and play in land-based casinos?

Congratulations on your decision because this is surely a fun way to explore the world. However, in order to get the most from this unique experience, you will have to learn more about the most dangerous casino cities on our planet.

The fact is that you can find casinos in hundreds of cities on every continent, but not all of them are equally safe. On the contrary, some of them can be quite dangerous. This doesn’t mean that you should avoid them at all costs, but you should definitely be more careful if you are planning a trip there.

• Get basic information about casino cities with high crime rates
• Learn more about what to do and see in these casino cities
• Get familiar with the most important facts about these dangerous casino cities

With good preparation and a plan, you can still have a lot of fun in these cities. To make sure that you are prepared well, we have created this list which contains the 14 most dangerous casino cities in the world.

1. Cape Town

Country: South Africa
Population: 4 million (Metro area)
Currency: Rand

Cape Town is one of the most populous and biggest cities in South Africa. As some of you might know, gambling has a long history in South Africa although it was banned for a few decades. Yet, starting from the 1990s, this activity was legalized and liberalized and today people in South Africa and tourists can use many casinos.

As a matter of fact, Cape Town alone is home to five casinos where you can find hundreds of slot games and dozens of table games. Cape Town is a very popular holiday destination, but in the last decade, it became also one of the most violent places in this region.

Violent crime is a growing problem. But, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid this casino city because the tourist areas and the casinos are generally safe. Simply avoid trips to places that are visited only by the local people.

• Cape Town is a popular holiday destination
• It has 5 casinos
• It has one of the highest crime rates in the world

2. St. Louis

Country: USA
Population: 2.8 million (Metro area)
Currency: US dollar

Located on the shores of the Mississippi River in Missouri, St. Louis is a major city in the United States where players can enjoy in different gambling activities. Unfortunately, the city was in the center of a race riot a few years ago.

But, this is not the worst part. For many years, St. Louis has been struggling with unemployment, poverty and violent crime. In fact, it was the city with the highest murder rate in the US in 2017.

If you are able to go over this, you will find this city to be quite attractive. For example, it has nice weather all year round. For gamblers, there are three casinos where you can play all kinds of games, but it seems that poker is the most popular one. Those of you who are planning a trip there can also visit Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Garden and City Museum.

• St. Louis has one of the highest murder rates per capita in the US in the last decade
• There are three nice casinos in St. Louis
• There are many museums and parks that visitors can check here

3. Guatemala City

Country: Guatemala
Population: 1 million (Metro area)
Currency: Quetzal

With two casinos, Guatemala City might not be the best example of a casino city, but it’s definitely worth listing it as a dangerous casino city. Every year, thousands of travelers from every corner of our planet are visiting Guatemala. This is a destination that people love due to the jungles and beaches found there.

Unfortunately, there’s a downside here and that’s the presence of drug trafficking and crimes related to drugs. There are a few gangs that operate in Guatemala City and crimes like bus jackings and carjackings are quite common. To stay safe, the authorities recommend sticking to well-known tourists places which are visited by many people.

With a good plan, you should be able to take a safe trip to Guatemala City and enjoy gambling and other activities. Speaking about other activities, it’s a smart time to visit places like the National Palace, Museo Popol Vuh, La Aurora Zoo and the Cathedral of Guatemala City.

• The capital city of Guatemala
• Guatemala City has two land-based casino
• All types of violent crimes including bus jacking and drug trafficking are committed in this city on a regular basis

4. Nairobi

Country: Kenya
Population: 6.5 million (Metro area)
Currency: Kenyan shilling

There are a few dangerous casino cities on this list which are located in beautiful areas blessed with amazing nature. One of these cities is the capital city of Kenya – Nairobi. Visitors were already aware of the problem related to poverty in the past, but the situation got worse a few years ago when militant separatists and religious fanatics committed a few attacks in this city.

Yet, if you are prepared to take the risk and you are good with staying in the places which are advised by the authorities there, then you will probably find this casino city attractive. After all, when you are staying in Nairobi, you have access to more than 20 land-based casinos. Some of them were opened in the past 5 years.

If you have time and you can find a safe tour, you should check the attractions located close to this city like Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum, Giraffe Centre and Bomas of Kenya (a tribal village).

• One of the biggest cities in Africa
• Located in an area blessed with amazing nature
• Dangerous due to the presence of militias

5. San Salvador

Country: El Salvador
Population: 2.4 million (Metro area)
Currency: US dollar

Have you ever heard about MS 13? That’s a notorious gang from El Salvador which is present in the United States too. The capital city of San Salvador has a lot of problems with this gang and other criminals that have affected the tourism sector in this city in a bad way.

However, San Salvador is still a popular traveling destination where gamblers can find 2 land-based casinos. So, this is also a casino city where you can play hundreds of slots, table games, card games, and other popular casino games.

As for the tourist attractions, you can enjoy your trips to the metropolitan cathedral, the National Palace, the Monument to Liberty and the Monument to the Savior of the World. Once again, we should mention that you can do all these things whenever you want because the weather is good almost all year round, but be careful.

• The capital city of El Salvador
• San Salvador is used as a base of the notorious M 13 gang
• Gamblers can choose from two casinos

6. Durban

Country: South Africa
Population: 3.4 million (Metro area)
Currency: Rand

Durban and Cape Town are one of the most dangerous casino cities in the world and both of them are located in South Africa. Did you know that almost 1400 people were killed in 2017 in Durban? The only thing that sounds like good news to tourists is the fact that the gangs and individual criminals that operate there are usually staying away from tourists.

Durban is the place where you will find three land-based casinos where you can enjoy almost 3000 gaming machines and slots as well as over 100 table games. Sports betting is quite popular in this city too.

The famous uShaka Marine World aquarium, Durban Botanic Garden, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Umgeni River Bird Park are just some of the many attractions that tourists can find in this interesting, yet dangerous casino city.

• One of the cities with the highest homicide rates in South Africa
• Gangs usually stay away from foreign tourists
• You can play in three different casinos

7. Detroit

Country: USA
Population: 4.3 million (Metro area)
Currency: US dollar

The most populous and largest city in the State of Michigan happens to be one of the most dangerous casino cities in the United States too. Even though this is a huge city, there are just three casinos here. What’s great is that these casinos are very big and players can find a massive selection of thousands of gaming machines and slots. There are also almost 300 table games where you can play poker, baccarat, Texas Hold’em Poker and more.

Needless to say, you will also find a wide range of attractions and landmarks that are quite memorable like the Belle Isle Park, The Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Institute of Art, and Comerica Park. But all these things are not very attractive for many travelers because the crime rate in this city is extremely high.

The high level of crime in Detroit is not something new. This was one of the cities with the highest crime rates in the last 50 years. For instance, 50% of the murders in Michigan in 2015 were committed in Detroit. What’s even more disturbing is that violent crime is on the rise and most of this crime is related to drugs.

• The most populous city in the State of Michigan
• Detroit hosts three big casinos
• Problems with a violent crime have a long history in this city

8. Tegucigalpa

Country: Honduras
Population: 1.1 million (Metro area)
Currency: Lempira

Corruption, poor economy, gangs, drug dealers, weapons smugglers – you name it, Tegucigalpa probably has it. The capital city of Honduras is struggling with crime for a long time now, but it seems that a certain number of tourists don’t mind that because they are visiting Honduras and the capital city on a regular basis.

One of the reasons for that is the fact that gambling is legal in Tegucigalpa and players can choose one of two casinos that are operating there. From American roulette and video poker machines to slot machines and Blackjack, you can enjoy playing your favorite games while you are there.

When you are taking a break from your casino activity, you can visit some interesting attractions like the modern Our Lady of Suyapa churn, Museum for National Identity, La Tigra National Park or Christ El Picacho statue.

• An extremely high crime rate
• Tegucigalpa has an interesting tourist offer including two casinos
• Many interesting places to visit in the city and around it

9. New Orleans

Country: USA
Population: 1.3 million (Metro area)
Currency: US dollar

It’s not just the Mardi Gras that makes New Orleans an excellent destination for travelers. For example, gambling is completely legal here and you can play in 5 casinos located in this city. But, before we go into details about the good things, let us mention that New Orleans was the US “murder capital” from 1994 to 2013. The only positive thing here is that the levels of violent crime are slowly dropping.

When it comes to New Orleans as a casino city, as we said before, you will find 5 physical casinos here. These casinos provide access to more than 2000 slots and gaming machines and over 100 table games. Some of them are independent casinos while others are brands that are present in other states.

If you want to go to New Orleans don’t forget to visit the famous French Quarter where you will find amazing architecture. From Jackson Square and Bourbon Street to Garden District and St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans is a place with a rich history and memorable attractions.

• New Orleans was the Murder Capital of the United States for many years
• The crime rates are dropping in the last few years
• This city has excellent gambling facilities (5 casinos)

10. Manila

Country: The Philippines
Population: 12.8 million (Metro area)
Currency: Piso

The capital city of the Philippines – Manila – is part of the list of the most dangerous casino cities for two reasons. First of all, this huge city has many safety and security issues. From kidnapping and robbery to murdering and corruption, these things are part of the everyday life of many Filipinos. The only positive thing is that violent crime is not that widespread.

The other reason is the fact that gambling in Manila is legal and there is a wide array of casinos (13) to choose from. Gambling is legal in Manila since 1976. Before that, illegal gambling was a common practice in this city and across the country.

Passionate gamblers who want to travel there besides the risks should know that many games that come from Asia are available in these casinos.

If you are looking for places to visit in Manila, there are a few of them that will probably meet and exceed your expectations as a tourist – Fort Santiago, Manila Ocean Park, San Agustin Church, and Rizal Park.

• One of the most dangerous casino cities in Asia
• The capital city of the Philippines
• A city with a good selection of casinos

11. Kingston

Country: Jamaica
Population: 700.000 (Metro area)
Currency: Jamaican dollar

If you want to enjoy the natural beauties of Mother Nature and get involved in gambling activities while you are on a holiday, then Kingston, Jamaica might be the place for you. But, there is one thing that makes Kingston a no-go zone for many foreigners and that’s the crime level in this city.

For decades, Kingston was one of the top capital cities in the world when it comes to homicide rates. The negative image of this beautiful city has started changing since the 2000s. What’s worse is that there’s organized crime here and the presence of rival gangs which are focused on drug trafficking and dealing. It’s not unusual to witness mob violence in Kingston too.

But, if you don’t really mind that, and you have experience and instructions about how to stay safe in Kingston, you should know that there are 2 land-based casinos in this Jamaican city. Video poker games, slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat are some of the most played casino games there.

Some of the best things that you can do here, besides gambling, include trips to Bob Marley Museum, Fort Charles, Lime Cay, and the Blue Mountains.

• An excellent place for sightseeing
• Very high crime rate which is gradually declining in the last few years
• Kingston is home to 2 casinos

12. Johannesburg

Country: South Africa
Population: 9.6 million (Metro area)
Currency: Rand

There are many exciting and beautiful things that can be said for this city, but on the other hand, there are also many negative things that make Johannesburg a dangerous casino city. And we are not talking only about the petty thefts and the litter found on many streets of this South African city.

In the last few years, there were many violent protests in this city. In addition, the murder rate is one of the highest in the world. People have seen many horrific clips about ordinary people getting robbed at broad daylight with guns pointed to their heads.

But, if you have local support or you are sure where and when you should go while you are there, then you can probably have a good time in Johannesburg. For example, if you love gambling, you can find four casinos. With thousands of slots and dozens of table games, you can expect hours of fun there.

Keep in mind that you can get involved in other fun activities while you are there like visiting popular attractions such as the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, Gold Reef City and more.

• The largest city in South Africa
• Very high murder rate and many robberies
• Johannesburg is a city that has 4 casinos

13. Medellin

Country: Colombia
Population: 3.7 million (Metro area)
Currency: Peso

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Medellin was known as the stronghold of the world’s most famous narco cartel lead by the notorious drug kingpin – Pablo Escobar. Murders on the streets of this city were a daily routine. Once Pablo Escobar was eliminated, this city has become safer, but the truth is that the consequences of his reign are still visible in Medellin.

This means that the crime rates could be significantly lower and that’s why Medellin is one of the most dangerous casino cities in the world. Just like everywhere in Colombia, gambling is very popular in Medellin. At this moment, there are 10 casinos in this Colombian city.

What’s interesting is that these casinos are smaller than typical modern casinos and you can find a limited number of slots games, card games, and table games. With good research, you should be able to identify the best places for gambling here.

With a warm=weather year-round, tourists can come to this city at any time of the year. The Antioquia Museum, Arvi Park, Explora Park, and Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden are some of the best attractions found here.

• The former base of the world’s most notorious drug lord – Pablo Escobar
• Medellin has 10 casinos
• It’s located in a beautiful area with attractive flora and fauna

14. Tijuana

Country: Mexico
Population: 2.1 million (Metro area)
Currency: Peso

One of the things that have made Tijuana a dangerous casino city is the fact that this city in Mexico is home to the Tijuana Cartel. Every year in the past 20 years, the number of homicides in this city is growing rapidly. The main reason for that is the drug war. Generally speaking, regular tourists should be safe in this city.

As for gambling activities, Tijuana hosts 13 attractive casinos with excellent offers, especially for foreign tourists. Situated on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Tijuana is a beautiful holiday destination with many sandy beaches and attractions.

• Tijuana is used as a base by the Tijuana Cartel
• This is a famous holiday destination
• Tijuana hosts 13 modern land-based casinos