Do you think that gambling is a fun activity? Welcome to the club! Gambling is a global phenomenon that keeps rising. In the recent period, this activity has become even more popular thanks to the Internet and online casinos. However, if you want to do things in an old-fashioned way and explore new cities at the same time, you are probably interested in taking trips to cities where you can find many casinos.
Live gambling is still a very popular activity and the good news is that there is more than one great destination for an activity like this. It seems that there’s an interesting place on every corner of our planet where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the atmosphere of land-based casinos.
- Explore the best gambling destinations in the world
- Learn more about how you can enhance your live gambling experience
- Find out the most important facts about these destinations
If you are ready to take a break and visit a good gambling destination, you’ve come to the right place. We have created a list of 12 awesome trips for gamblers to do (live gambling). Here’s where you can go on your next holiday.
1. Singapore
Location: Asia
Population: 5.6 million
Currency: Singapore dollar
Number of casinos: Two
Total costs to travel: High
Singapore is a city-state located in Southeast Asia. This is also one of the four so-called Asian tigers – countries that had tremendous success in the field of economy in the last twenty years. People have been visiting Singapore for many years now, but in the last decade, many of them are traveling for gambling purposes.
It’s interesting that gambling was illegal until 2010 in this country. Today, this activity is not very popular among locals, but many foreign tourists are traveling there for this reason. There are just two casinos in Singapore, but they are offering dozens of games. They also have concerts and other entertainment activities for the guests.
Keep in mind that Singapore is not a very big place although it’s crowded. This means that you can’t find too many landmarks here. Some of the landmarks that you can visit include Gardens by the Bay, Tiger Sky Tower, and Universal Studios Singapore. In addition, you should be prepared to pay a little bit more for your stay here because Singapore can get pretty expensive.
- An expensive city-state with two top-notch casinos
- A small place that you can explore in a week
- A global financial center located in Asia
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Location: Europe
Population: 0.5 million
Currency: Euro
Number of casinos: One
Total costs to travel: Medium
There are ten land-based casinos in Portugal and one of them is located in Lisbon, making the capital city of Portugal worth visiting. For a long time, Portugal is one of the most visited destinations in Europe. The sandy beaches that provide a perfect view of the Atlantic Ocean are a real magnet for tourists.
But, if you want to entertain yourself with casino games, you will also be satisfied with the casino offer found here. So, even though there’s one casino in Lisbon you can easily access the rest of the casinos in this country which has great infrastructure. The financial crisis that hit Portugal a few years ago has cut the traveling costs.
From Tower of Belem and Praca do Comercio public square to Castelo de S. Jorge castle and Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon is a destination where you can spend days sightseeing old structures and natural beauties. That’s a good thing to do after hours of gambling.
- The capital city of Portugal
- A place where you can get access to sandy beaches
- One big casino resort with hundreds of tables and machines
3. Monte Carlo, Monaco
Location: Europe
Population: 37.000
Currency: Euro
Number of casinos: Four
Total costs to travel: High
Monte Carlo is an administrative area which is part of the Principality of Monaco. This area is known for the luxurious buildings and cars and the rich residents that come from all over Europe and around the world. It’s often used by tourists as a spot where they can find luxurious things.
Gambling has a long history in Monte Carlo and it’s one of the reasons why Monaco became popular and famous. The first casino was opened back in 1862. Today, Monte Carlo has four top-notch casinos which are offering access to many casino games.
It’s good to know that many casino tournaments are organized here and this place is the favorite casino destination of many professional players.
Needless to say, staying in this place will cost you a lot, but if you love gambling and luxury it’s definitely worth it. Even though it’s small, Monte Carlo has a few interesting attractions that you can visit besides casinos like the Jardins de la Petite Afrique garden, Saint-Charles Church and the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.
- A small administrative area in Monaco
- A place where gambling is popular for over 150 years
- Monte Carlo is one of the most luxurious places in the world
4. Las Vegas, USA
Location: North America
Population: 650.000
Currency: US dollar
Number of casinos: 70+
Total costs to travel: High
Sin City, The Capital of Second Chances, America’s Playground, The Capital City of Entertainment – these are just some of the many nicknames used for Las Vegas. Located in the Mojave Desert, this which was established in 105 became a world-renowned attraction for those who are looking for entertainment.
With more than 70 casinos and a long gambling tradition, Las Vegas should be on any list of awesome trips for gamblers to do. The oldest operating casino (and hotel) in this city is the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino. Today, this city is attracting gamblers from all over the world.
Keep in mind that if you want to play in Las Vegas casinos, you must be at least 21 years old. The good thing is that winnings from baccarat, blackjack, and roulette are tax-free. However, the wins from slots and a few other popular casino games come with a 30% income tax.
Depending on the country where you are coming from, this tax might not be charged. There are so many things that you can do and see in Las Vegas in addition to visiting casinos. For example, you can check Downtown Container Park, Sunset Park, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and more.
But, be prepared to pay a little bit more because the prices in Las Vegas are not as low as in some other parts of the United States.
- This is one of the most famous casino destinations in the world
- A city where you can find other forms of entertainment too
- Las Vegas can be a little bit expensive
5. Macau
Location: Asia
Population: 650.000
Currency: Macanese pataca
Number of casinos: 38
Total costs to travel: Medium
Macau, also known as Macao, is a special region which is part of China. For many decades, Macau was part of the Portuguese Empire, but in 1999 it was reunited with China. Yet, this place has a special status now.
It’s interesting that gambling in this region is legal for over 150 years now. That’s how it earned its nickname – Monte Carlo of the East. In the past two decades, more than half of the economy of this region is driven by gambling tourism.
There are 38 land-based casinos in Macau to choose from and some of them are foreign brands. What makes Macau very interesting is the fact that you can find casinos that have both European and Asian games.
If you are tired of regular casinos, you can try betting on horses, sports and greyhounds. All these activities are quite popular in Macau. Of course, if you want to do some other things, you can easily find something interesting in Macau like visiting the Macau Tower, ruins of St. Paul’s Church and Senado Square and more. The accommodation in Macau might not be cheap, but the prices, in general, are acceptable.
- Also known as Monte Carlo of the East
- A city with a gambling tradition that lasts for over 150 years
- A wide range of physical casinos to choose from
6. The Bahamas
Location: North America
Population: 381.000
Currency: Bahamian dollar and US dollar
Number of casinos: Five
Total costs to travel: Low
When it comes to natural beauties, it’s very difficult to find another country that can beat the beautiful places found on the Bahamas. Situated in one of the best parts of North America, this archipelago is the favorite holiday destination of many Americans and Europeans. Palm trees, beautiful resorts, sandy beaches, clear water, great weather – these are some of the things that you can find on the Bahamas.
Gambling is completely legal in the Bahamas and as we said before, you can play your favorite casino games in five casinos. In addition, you can enjoy sports betting too. The good thing is that not all of these facilities are located in one place which means that you will have an opportunity to explore the island.
Compared to other exotic destinations, the Bahamas are relatively inexpensive. Of course, you can find luxurious accommodation and restaurants too. While you are there, you should visit a few places including Pig Beach and Harbour Island.
- A beautiful archipelago located close to the United States
- A country with 5 land-based casinos
- Some of the best beaches in the world are located here
7. South Africa
Location: Africa
Population: 57.7 million
Currency: Rand
Number of casinos: Around 60
Total costs to travel: Medium
South Africa is a country that has a colorful history. When the first democratic government was established in the 1990s, this country has become more open to the world. As a result of that, travelers from every corner of our planet have flocked to this country which is rich in manmade and natural beauties and attractions.
Even though there are records of gambling activities in South Africa in the 17th century, this activity was completely illegal or semi-legal for decades. Starting from 1996, gambling was legalized again and today, it’s one of the favorite activities of many South Africans.
It’s interesting that you can find casinos in almost every major city in South Africa. This comes as a result of the decision of the government to issue a specific number of licenses based on regions. The good thing is that South Africa is still a cheap holiday destination that many gamblers can afford.
A trip like this would be memorable not only because you can find all kinds of casinos there, but also because you can visit some special places in South Africa like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and Kruger National Park.
- Land-based casinos are found across South Africa
- This country is blessed with amazing nature
- Many people in South Africa are visiting casinos at least once a year
8. Connecticut
Location: North America
Population: 3.57 million
Currency: US dollar
Number of casinos: 19
Total costs to travel: Medium
It’s not just Las Vegas that attracts gamblers to the United States. There are a few other places in this country that have a great offer for gamblers from all over the world and the State of Connecticut is one of them. Even though it has 19 licenses for casinos, just two of them which are located on tribal lands can be called true land-based casinos.
The good thing is that both of these casinos are huge and offer access to a wide array of games. When it comes to gambling, we should also mention that charitable gaming, pari-mutuel wagering, and lottery are some other popular forms of gambling in this state. The Indian casinos date back to the 1980s.
From the Mystic Aquarium to the Mystic Seaport Museum, Connecticut is home to some interesting attractions and landmarks that gamblers might find interesting when they are taking a break from playing slots, poker, blackjack, roulette or other casino games.
- Two huge Indian casinos
- Gambling is quite popular in Connecticut
- You can reach New York City in less than 5 hours
9. Puerto Rico
Location: North America
Population: 3.2 million
Currency: US dollar
Number of casinos: 17
Total costs to travel: Low
Situated in one of the best parts of the Caribbean, there is a rich port which awaits travelers and gamblers from the rest of the world. Puerto Rico (Rich Port in Spanish) is home to the popular Bacardi rum and today it’s used by many Americans and Westerners in general as a beautiful holiday destination.
The favorable climate, the pleasant people and the amazing beaches you can find here will help you relax and unwind while the casinos can help you test your luck. As expected, the casinos that are found in Puerto Rico are part of resorts.
What’s great is that no matter which part of Puerto Rico you will choose, you’ll get access to a few casinos. In addition to casinos, players can also enjoy horse racing tracks where they can place bets on horses. The capital city – San Juan – is the place where you will find the highest number of casinos.
Viejo San Juan fort, Castillo San Felipe del Morro castle, El Yunque National Forest and Rio Camuyi Caves are some of the places that you can visit if you want to spice up your casino trip. Don’t forget that the prices in Puerto Rico are more than reasonable.
- A beautiful country located in the Caribbean
- This is a country with a long history of legal gambling
- You can access 17 licensed casinos
10. Baden-Baden, Germany
Location: Europe
Population: 55.000
Currency: Euro
Number of casinos: 1
Total costs to travel: High
Baden-Baden is actually a popular spa town situated in southwest Germany. After the French Revolution at the beginning of the 18th century, Baden-Baden became a traveling hotspot visited by aristocrats and bourgeois from all over Europe – from Russia to England. This was also the place where the first casino in Europe was opened.
Today, Baden-Baden has just one casino, but it’s totally worth visiting this place. There is something about the architecture of this city and the history that make Baden-Baden special. It might be the fact that many celebrities and gamblers in the past were attracted to this city.
We should also mention that the famous novel The Gambler by Dostoyevsky has a story that takes place in this city. When it comes to attractions that people can visit in this city, we should mention a few of them like the Hohenbaden Castle, the Lichtentaler Alle route, Caracalla Spa and Museum Frieder Burda (a museum dedicated to modern art).
If you are planning a trip to this spa town, you have to be prepared to go there with a lot of money if you want to feel the atmosphere to the maximum.
- The city where you can find the oldest casino in Europe
- A beautiful spa town
- There’s just one casino, but it’s spectacular
11. Aruba
Location: South America
Population: 105.000
Currency: Aruban Florin
Number of casinos: 14
Total costs to travel: Low
It’s been exactly 60 years since the first land-based casino was opened in Aruba. The authorities of this island which is officially part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have decided to liberalize the gambling industry in their country to attract visitors.
Of course, Aruba has other means that serve as magnets for tourists. Needless to say, this island has numerous white sandy beaches and crystal clear sea that is available to all visitors. On this island, visitors can also find many interesting endemic animals and plants.
Nearly 75% of the GDP in Aruba is earned via tourism. The casino industry plays a significant role in this process. As previously mentioned, casinos were present in Aruba for a long time now, but in the last five years, their number has been increasing rapidly.
Today, there are 14 casinos located across the island. Most of them operate as part of holiday resorts and many of them are foreign brands. What’s interesting is that players can expect to find a wide range of games in these casinos including some games that originate from this region like Caribbean Stud Poker for example.
If you are focused only on gambling, you should find accommodation in Palm Beach because most of the casinos are located there. While you are staying in Aruba, you can visit a few amazing places like Arikok National Park, Eagle Beach, Baby Beach, and Palm Island. Each of these places is unique and offers something new to travelers
- A beautiful Caribbean country
- The first casino in Aruba was opened back in 1959
- Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
12. London, UK
Location: Europe
Population: 8.1 million
Currency: Pound sterling
Number of casinos: 29
Total costs to travel: High
Let’s be clear, the capital city of the United Kingdom is not an inexpensive place to visit. However, with a good plan, you can cut some traveling costs and enjoy a unique gambling experience. Throughout history, London was known as a liberal place when it comes to gambling.
Even though sports betting is still the most popular form of gambling, this city is home to 29 excellent casinos too. From poker and baccarat to roulette and slots, you can get access to a plethora of thrilling games in these casinos. The largest casinos have dozens of gaming machines and tables used for table and card games.
London is a big city with a long history which is why visitors can expect access to a wide array of attractions including the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower of London, Hyde Park, The British Museum, Westminster Abbey and more. The only downside here is that London is quite expensive.
- The capital city of the UK is also one of the most populous cities in Europe
- Gambling has strong roots in this city
- You can play in 29 land-based casinos
