For those that enjoy the excitement of a casino, a holiday presents an opportunity to explore how they do it in other parts of the world. Some tourist destinations have built their reputations on providing excellent casino experiences to visitors, whereas others are less well-known.
The huge advances in technology have made online gaming an appealing option for many, with providers such as Virgin Games offering a wide range of online casino games available to play whenever and from wherever a player is. However, there will always be those that want to explore the globe and find out what the casino culture is like in other countries.
Casino tourism is becoming an increasingly popular option for gamers all over the world, and with many places modernizing the laws that govern gaming, there are new options popping up all over the globe. From the newest to the most established, there are plenty of options for travelers that want to have some casino-based fun alongside the options to explore an interesting location, including:
Macau
During the 1850s, when the autonomous colony of Macau was under Portuguese control, their laws allowed gambling, and a thriving casino industry was born. Today, the area’s economy relies on the income generated by casinos, not least because it is the only area of China in which they are legal.
Visitors come from all over China, and the rest of the world, to play at some of the most impressive casinos in the world, including the second-largest casino in the world: Venetian Macau. Any casino fan will be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this impressive casino complex that sits on more than half a million square feet of land.
The casino is part of the largest single-structure hotel in Asia, with three thousand rooms all ready to house the players that come to make the most of the massive gaming space. The casino floor is home to more than three thousand slots and eight hundred table games, but visitors will also find three hundred and fifty shops, Michelin-starred restaurants, and plenty of other entertainment from live music to sports bars, and even its own canal system complete with gondoliers.
The third largest casino in the world can also be found in Macau, and the fifth, which may explain how Macau has become the casino capital of the East. As one of the more densely populated areas in the world, there is also plenty of fun to be had outside the casino, from top-flight restaurants to traditional music, ancient ruins, and beautiful scenery.
Las Vegas
No casino fan could ever overlook Las Vegas as a potential casino destination, and there’s a good reason that it has long been known as the gaming capital of the western world. Founded as a solution to the Great Depression, Vegas has gone from strength to strength on the basis of its ability to draw a crowd and the tradition of offering a warm welcome to visitors continues to this day.
Whether you want to get stuck into some serious slot action or hit the poker tables, there is everything you could expect on the casino floor, but it is the extras that really make the difference in Vegas. Performances from global superstars, the world-famous dancing fountain at the Bellagio, theme parks with some of the most incredible roller coasters, and more await anyone who wants to explore this iconic town.
It is, however, worth noting that the largest casino in the United States, and indeed the world, is actually in Oklahoma. Operated by the Chickasaw nation WinStar World Casino and Resort comprises more than eight thousand electronic games, fifty-five poker tables, more than a hundred other table games, and a bingo hall.
The Algarve
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal, the Algarve is home to some of the casinos with the most impressive views in the world. There are three in the area, all of which are located on the coast meaning visitors can enjoy the incredible beaches, crystal clear water, and picturesque fishing villages during the day, and hit the casinos once the sun goes down.
The largest casino in the area is called Casino de Vilamoura and guests will find more than five hundred slot machines, plenty of tables, and the occasional poker tournament which are always appealing to spectators. The casino hosts a show featuring some of the most popular Portuguese celebrities, with restaurants and nightclubs for those that want to party until the small hours.
The Hotel Algarve Casino is the oldest in the area, dating back to 1910, and it overlooks the beautiful Praia da Rocha beach. The casino floor is spread over two stories and there are all the classic games such as roulette and poker, as well as a table for the popular Portuguese dice game Banca Francesca.
When choosing a holiday destination, there are plenty of things to consider, and the availability of entertainment options is just one of them. There are plenty of places to visit that offer the chance to explore beautiful scenery, visit historic sites, learn about the local culture, and sample traditional cuisine.
For casino fans, this is best complemented with a trip to a local gaming floor to learn how they do things elsewhere in the world, including traditional games and local entertainment, not to mention any good luck rituals and ways to celebrate a win.
