Casino Destinations Around the World
Updated: 13.08.2025
There are many people who take their gambling very seriously and view it as a way to make money. There are many more who view gambling purely as a form of entertainment, and these are generally the people who enjoy playing casino games. It's not possible to beat the house edge that exists in every casino game unless you know how to count cards, so ultimately it has to be about the fun.
The chance to win money is a big part of the fun, but it's also about the overall experience. A trip to a casino can be a fabulous experience and one that anyone can enjoy (provided they're old enough). Almost any casino in the world will attract people from all walks of life and most of these people will enjoy their visit even if they lose money. That's why casino games are such a popular form of gambling.
Anyone can have a good time at just about any casino they choose to visit, but there are certain places that offer an experience that simply cannot be matched by most venues. Below are some details of the best casino destinations around the world; these are all places you should try to visit if you have the opportunity. Those who enjoy gambling will absolutely love this selection, and even those who don't care about gambling will find many other exciting things to do and see.
We start with what we consider to be the leading casino resorts at this time: Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau. We've put together complete guides to visiting each of these locations, with information and advice to ensure you have a great trip. We've also covered a number of other popular casino destinations, such as Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean, as well as some general tips for taking a casino vacation.
The Top Casino Resorts
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is widely regarded as THE premier gambling destination. Located in the Mojave Desert in Nevada, United States, it's famous around the world. The main focal point of the city is the Strip, which is just over 4 miles long. It's lined with some of the largest and most elaborate casinos and hotels you can imagine, most of which are open 24 hours a day. There are also endless options for other forms of entertainment. Our complete guide to Las Vegas tells you everything you need to know about this famous gambling destination. We'll help you plan your first trip, tell you where to stay and play, and generally make sure you have a wonderful time if you ever decide to visit.
Atlantic City
Also in the United States, Atlantic City is often overlooked in favor of Las Vegas. It's fair to say that it's not on the same scale as Vegas and has struggled in recent years to attract the same level of visitors as it once did, but it's still an excellent place to visit. Located in the state of New Jersey, the entire city is built around the gambling industry. Most people go there to gamble, but there are also other sights and attractions worth seeing. Our collection of articles on Atlantic City is a must read for anyone planning a trip there. Written by a regular visitor, these articles offer the benefit of in-depth local knowledge. They cover the best times to visit, the best places to stay, and much more.
Macau
Macau is a very wealthy region in China, just across the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong. Its strong economy is based in part on the tourism industry, and most tourists come here for the gambling. Macau is known as the "Las Vegas of Asia" because of its similarities to the Nevada resort, but it's smaller in terms of the number of casinos and hotels. It attracts a lot of high rollers, which is one reason it actually has higher gambling revenues than Vegas. You don't have to be a high roller to visit, though, and it's a place that any casino enthusiast is sure to enjoy. There are many differences between Macau and most western casino resorts that add to the overall experience. The following articles are essential reading if you want to get the most out of your visit.
Other Leading Casino Destinations
Europe
There are dozens of first-class casinos in Europe: so many that it would be a challenge to fit them all into a single trip, unless it was a very long one. However, you could certainly make it to some of them, including Monte Carlo in Monaco, which is one of the most glamorous gambling destinations of them all. Paris and London also have some wonderful casinos, including the world famous Ritz Casino in London. These are just a few of the cities across Europe that have venues worth visiting.
Australia
Gambling may not be one of the first reasons people think of when they visit Australia, but that's just a reflection of everything else this country has to offer. Beautiful beaches, a wonderful climate, and attractions like Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef are just a few of the many reasons to take a trip Down Under. There are many more, and their casinos are definitely somewhere on that list, as there are over 400 of them: some with spectacular venues.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean is another destination that offers plenty of reasons to visit and is certainly a beautiful place to vacation no matter what you do. It should definitely appeal to anyone looking to combine a vacation in the sun with some gambling. There are some truly beautiful locations to be found in this part of the world, as well as some outstanding casinos. The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island stands out from the rest.
Singapore
Singapore's casino tourism industry is still in its infancy compared to places like Las Vegas, and it's not a place that many people associate with casino gambling. However, you might be surprised at what it has to offer! There's a lot of money being gambled, and it shows in the incredibly luxurious venues. You don't have to be rich to gamble in Singapore, but it is certainly a popular destination for wealthy gamblers.
South Africa
South Africa may not be closely associated with casino gambling in many people's minds, but perhaps it should be. It's an amazing place to visit for several reasons and a very popular tourist destination. Sun City in particular has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, and this is where the biggest and best gambling action takes place. There are some fabulous casinos, including one of the largest in the world. Good weather is almost guaranteed even in the summer.
Gambling Cruises
This is not technically a casino destination, but we felt it was necessary to include at least some information about gaming cruises here. They are actually a great choice for a casino related vacation with a variety of different options to choose from. You can take short trips that last just a few days for a quick gambling fix, or much longer ones that cover a number of different locations that you can visit. You can sail in pure luxury or take a cheaper alternative depending on your personal preferences.
Your Own Home
We may be cheating a bit by including this as a destination, but is there really any better place to play your favorite games than the comfort of your own home? Online casinos are incredibly popular, and that's at least partly due to the fact that you can play whenever you want without actually having to go anywhere. They may not be able to match the experience of a live casino, but they do offer some advantages of their own.
Tips for Taking Casino Vacations
Each of the above guides contains plenty of helpful advice for visiting that destination. In addition to all of this, we also have some general advice that applies to taking a casino vacation anywhere. Most of this advice is pretty straightforward, and some of it may even be obvious to anyone who is a regular visitor to their local casinos. However, we still recommend that you take the time to read through the following tips as you may find them useful in one way or another.
If you're not at all familiar with visiting a casino, you may also want to read our article on casino etiquette. It outlines some of the basic rules of how you are expected to behave in a casino.
Stay at a Casino Hotel
If you're going on vacation specifically to gamble, it makes a lot of sense to stay at a hotel that's also a casino. Casino and hotel duos are commonplace in many of the leading casino destinations, and may even be your only option in some of them. There are two major advantages to staying in such places.
For starters, it's much more convenient because you don't have to worry about traveling between where you live and where you play. It could also save you some money, as you may be able to get preferential rates for your accommodation based on how much time you spend playing. It's even possible to stay for free if you spend enough time on the gaming floor. This could be a false economy if you lose too much money gambling, but if you stick to a budget when you play, you should be fine.
Check the Entry Requirements Beforehand
Most of the world's leading casino destinations are fully prepared for tourists, making entry relatively easy. However, this is not always the case. Some places have quite strict entry requirements, even for tourists. There may be a formal dress code and you may need to apply for membership in advance, so keep this in mind.
Depending on your age, you may also want to check any age requirements, as they may be higher than you expect. For example, if you live in the United Kingdom, you'll need to be 18 to visit your local casinos. However, you'll need to be 21 to gamble if you take a trip to Vegas.
Make Sure You Know the House Rules
Many casino games have a universal appeal and can be found in venues around the world. However, the rules for some of these games can vary from place to place. It's imperative that you are fully aware of the house rules where you are playing, otherwise a simple mistake could cost you money.
It's usually easy to find out the local rules, but if you can't find the information you need, don't be afraid to ask someone. A dealer will usually be happy to explain them to you, or at least tell you where to find them.
Leave Your Credit Cards in Your Room When Gambling
Ultimately, it's up to you whether you want to follow this tip, but we strongly recommend that you do. There is often a temptation to spend more money than you should when playing at a casino, and that temptation can be especially strong when you're on vacation and having a great time. Nothing is guaranteed to ruin a vacation more than giving in to that temptation and spending money you can't afford to lose.
You should always set a budget for a casino trip and then make sure you stick to it. The easiest way to do this is to take only the amount of money you are willing to lose each time you enter the casino. If you also leave your credit cards in your hotel room, you'll have a much better chance of resisting the urge to overspend after a losing streak.
