19 Best Casino Cities In The World For A Gambling Adventure

When traveling around the world, I came across a lot of different views on casino tourism; some countries forbid it, some allow it, while others even have it as a crucial component of their economy. However, it seems like the number of countries that don’t rely on casino tourism is getting smaller and smaller. In fact,  in recent years, casino tourism has become more popular in many countries that never had the reputation of a gambling destination, resulting in some new additions to the list of the best casino cities. This means there are more choices for people who like to gamble while traveling abroad.

So, if you don’t fancy Vegas and are looking for some alternative, up-and-coming gambling destinations for a gambling adventure, keep reading!

Nassau & Paradise Island, Bahamas

The Bahamas are famous for their amazing diving sites and beautiful beaches and gambling is probably the last thing that comes to mind when thinking about this small island nation. However, Paradise Island has become one of the fastest-emerging casino cities in the world in recent years. If you’re looking to add some adrenaline and glamour to your vacation, there aren’t many places that can match what Paradise Island has to offer.

Interestingly, one of the few such places happens to be in neighboring Nassau. With over 100,000 square feet of gambling floor and more than 40 restaurants, bars, and clubs, the recently opened Baha Mar complex became the largest casino in the Bahamas, surpassing the more famous Paradise Island resort.

Are you planning to visit the Paradise Island resort and check out their casino? Use this link and get a great discount.

Baden-Baden, Germany

Hidden in the Black Forest near the French border, Baden-Baden is a small alpine town famous for its thermal baths. However, Baden-Baden is also home to the Spielbank Casino whose interior resembles the Versailles castle. This casino has been the playground of the European elites since the 1800s. It was here where Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky got the inspiration for his famous novel, “The Gambler”. Nowadays, the casino complex is open for visitors and gamblers alike. You can go inside before 2 PM and take a stroll around when all the tables are empty. You’ll surely be fascinated by the sheer extravagance of the classiest casino in the world.

Tallinn, Estonia

After the fall of the SSSR, Tallinn has slowly emerged as one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in Europe. Today, Tallinn offers a great mix of historical monuments and urban development. This attracted a lot of tourists throughout the years and eventually led to the creation of a Vegas-like casino strip inside the city. This complex consists of 35 different casinos with more than a thousand different slots. The complex is so huge that some of the casinos even have business convention centers onsite.

Prague, Czech Republic

There aren’t a lot of things that can be said about Prague that you don’t already know. It’s one of the most famous tourist destinations in Europe and one of the most visited cities in the world. However, despite the tourism boom in the last three decades, Prague still rarely gets mentioned when it comes to the best casino cities in Europe. The Czech capital has 14 major casinos and a lot of live poker tables around the city. Prague also hosted many World Poker Series which also shows just how popular this game is in the region.

Bournemouth, England

This list of the best casino cities wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one of England’s finest seaside resorts. Bournemouth is a city riddled with Victorian architecture, beautiful sandy beaches, lush gardens, and a lot of places where you can just kick back and relax. However, the city is much more famous for its buzzing nightlife, vibrant nightclubs, nudist beaches, and multiple casinos that are open 24/7.

Sochi, Russia

Even though it might not be one of the most famous casino cities in the world, the growth of casino tourism has led to Sochi turning into ‘the Vegas of Russia’. To be fair, there isn’t a lot of competition for that title; gambling is legal in only three other areas in the whole country but only a few other places in the world are experiencing such fast growth of casino tourism.

The first casino complex in Sochi was opened in 2017 and in 2019, the city already became the first stop of the European Poker Tour. Having in mind all the other activities Sochi offers to tourists, it’s becoming clear that we can’t talk about the best casino cities without even mentioning this Russian tourist hub.

Batumi, Georgia

Batumi is one of those cities that have everything you need from a vacation spot but remains relatively unknown for some reason. With more people visiting in recent years, the city gained a reputation of being the Vegas of the Black Sea. A lot of Turks and Azerbaijanis visit Batumi every day to gamble in one of the city’s many casinos because gambling is illegal in their countries. However, Batumi is slowly becoming famous among more international tourists and it’s only a matter of time before the city becomes one of the hottest destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Pilanesberg, South Africa

The Sun City Resort in Pilanesberg National Park is slowly becoming one of the premier tourist attractions in South Africa. It’s probably the only place on Earth where you’ll find a major casino resort located next to a safari spot. So if you’re looking for a great safari destination but want to have some fun during the nights, Pilanesberg is a great choice.

Fourways (Montecasino), South Africa

Fourways is another one of South Africa’s best casino cities. The city is home to a few different casinos, but the most famous one is probably the Montecasino. The design of this casino attempts to replicate an ancient Tuscan village and has more than 80 gaming tables, hosts frequent poker tournaments but there are a lot of other activities you can indulge in. Inside the complex, you can also find a lot of Instagrammable bookstores, cinemas, theaters, and occasionally, even live concerts.

Are you planning a trip to South Africa? Check out this list of unique things to do in Cape Town.

Pahang, Malaysia

What was initially a small casino hidden in the mountains surrounding the city of Pahang is slowly turning into one of the gambling hotspots in Southeast Asia. Today, the Casino De Genting sprawls on 200,000 square feet, more than 3,000 gaming machines, and 500+ gaming tables. Located at 1,800 meters above sea level, the Casino De Genting is a great place to get away from the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur. Another advantage of this casino is that it’s the only one in the country. Apparently, getting a casino permit in Malaysia is extremely difficult.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The gambling map of Asia keeps changing rapidly and there are a lot of emerging casino cities that didn’t even have gambling until recently. One of them is the capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City. Until 2017, gambling was completely illegal in Vietnam. Only two years after gambling was legalized, you can find more than 100 casinos across the country, and 10 new casinos were opened in Ho Chi Minh alone. Even though it still can’t compare to cities like Macau or Singapore, the Vietnamese capital has become increasingly popular among foreign visitors when it comes to gambling.

Enjoying this post? Then you may also like this list of hidden gems in Vietnam.

Perth, Australia

Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world but that doesn’t stop it from becoming one of the best casino cities in the world. The most famous casino in town is the Crown Perth- the largest casino complex in Western Australia. The complex is so big that one could say it’s a city of its own. Inside Crown Perth, you’ll find a lot of additional facilities, including more than 50 restaurants and bars, nightclubs, concert halls, retail outlets, spas, pools, and even golf courses.

Tigre, Argentina

If you ever get the chance to visit Buenos Aires and want to experience the Argentinian version of Vegas, head to Tigre. Located 20 miles north of Buenos Aires, Tigre is the gateway to the wetlands of the vast Parana Delta and home to the largest casino complex in South America. The Trilenium complex includes 237,000 square feet of gambling floor and features more than 80 table games and 1700+ machines. The property also has a lot of additional facilities, including restaurants, bars, concert halls, and VIP rooms.

Panama City, Panama

After the privatization of the 1990s, Panama’s gaming industry started increasing rapidly and today, Panama’s capital is one of the fastest growing casino cities in the world. Today, Panama City has 28 casino resorts that tourists can choose from. Casinos in Panama City aren’t clustered together like in Vegas and Reno and the largest casinos are located in some of the most famous hotels in the city.

The customer service in the casinos isn’t as high as you’d expect but also, tipping isn’t expected and seldom done. And best of all, you’re always close to one of Panama’s scenic tropical jungles that are famous for their spectacular waterfalls!

Reno, USA

Located in the state of Nevada, Reno might not be the entertainment capital of the world but the name “The biggest little town in the world” is quite descriptive. Reno isn’t Vegas in terms of luxury and glamour but you can get almost everything you get in Vegas for a lower price. Additionally, there are a lot of other interesting activities you can indulge in. Reno is home to the National Bowling Stadium and is only 30 minutes away from the majestic ski slopes of Mt. Rose.

Niagara Falls, USA & Canada

Niagara Falls is one of the most beautiful wonders of nature and naturally, it attracts thousands of visitors every day. However, what many people don’t realize is that Niagara Falls is a great up-and-coming casino tourism destination. There are four casino complexes; three on the Canadian side and one on the US side of the border. The largest casino resort in town is the Fallsview Casino Resort on the Canadian side of the border, covering an area of 200,000 square feet.

Las Vegas, USA

You didn’t think we would conclude this list of the best casino cities without Vegas, did you? The entertainment capital of the world is home to some of the most iconic casinos in the world like Caesars Palace, The Mirage, and Red Rock, establishments that have been featured so many times in modern pop culture that I believe don’t require an additional introduction.

If you’re planning to visit Vegas, you might also like our guide to things to do in Vegas alone and this list of relaxing things to do in Vegas.

Atlantic City

Even though not as famous as Vegas, dubbed as America’s Playground, Atlantic City is famous for its vibrant boardwalk and a myriad of famous casinos like Borgata and Tropicana where you can gamble while enjoying a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re planning to visit Atlantic City, you may also want to check out our list of hidden gems in New Jersey.

Monaco

Last but not least, we conclude this list with Monaco, Europe’s ultimate playground of the rich, home to Monte Carlo, one of the world’s most iconic casinos, and a symbol of high society and elegance. Before hitting Monte Carlo’s luxurious casinos, practice saying “Je me sens chanceux” with as much grace as you can muster; it means “I’m feeling lucky” in French.

Helpful Tips Before Visiting The Best Casino Cities In The World

1. Set a Budget Before You Bet: Decide on your gambling budget as firmly as you’d stick to a roller coaster seat; it’s the only way to ensure the ride ends well.
2. Know the Odds: Familiarize yourself with game odds like you would a map; it won’t guarantee you’ll find treasure, but you’ll at least know where the X doesn’t mark the spot.
3. Take Breaks: Schedule breaks as diligently as showtime in Vegas; it keeps the mind sharp and the wallet from going on a disappearing act.
4. Learn the Rules: Dive into game rules as if they were pool rules; nobody enjoys a belly flop in front of an audience.
5. Don’t Chase Losses: Chasing losses is like trying to catch a taxi in the rain; it usually ends with you getting soaked.
6. Enjoy Freebies: Accept casino freebies as graciously as a compliment; they cost nothing and can brighten your day.
7. Don’t forget to explore beyond the casino floors; these cities offer incredible shows, dining, and attractions.

Did you ever visit some of the best casino cities? Do you have any other suggestions for emerging gambling destinations that we didn’t mention? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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