World’s Top Land-Based Casinos

Considering that there are increasingly more land-based casinos popping up all over our planet, a rambling gaming enthusiast like you has that many more choices to select from, although this is not always a good thing. After all, having so many options, it is easy to worry that you may choose the wrong gambling spot for you. But fear not; our well-travelled reporters have already done the groundwork for you.

Below is our updated list of the most popular land-based casinos, accompanied by brief descriptions describing how each is unique, plus what you may expect to find at each one with respect to gaming venues, hotels, dining, and entertainment etc. We have also included some descriptions about gambling cruises, riverboats, and Indian casinos. Happy gambling trails!

Atlantic City
Atlantic City, most famous for its gambling casinos and boardwalk, is located in the northeastern U.S. state of New Jersey. This truly exciting city underwent major revamping over the past decade, and is succeeding enormously at attracting more tourists. Today's Atlantic City is home to a number of the world's most famous casinos including: Trump Taj Mahal, Bally's, Harrah's, Caesars, and lots more. In addition to casinos, Atlantic City also offers first-class entertainment, a lively nightlife, excellent restaurants, golf, plus loads of exciting recreational activities.

Las Vegas
Easily the most famous of all the gambling hot spots, Las Vegas (aka ‘Sin City' and ‘The Entertainment Capital of the World'), was founded in 1905, and is located in the southwestern U.S. State of Nevada. Vegas' 7 km (4.5 mile) ‘Strip' promises an infinite array of massive land-based casinos and resorts including the famous MGM Grand Hotel Casino, Harrah's, and the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Over the past decade, Vegas has reinvented itself and become a very popular family vacation destination with plenty of fun for all age groups.

Monte Carlo
Situated in the Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera, Monte Carlo is recognized for its European chic and frequent celebrity sightings. Of Monte Carlo's numerous tourist attractions, the most celebrated of all is the casino, which initiated regulated gaming back in 1898 under private ownership. Today, the government of Monaco holds a majority interest in the company managing the casino. A number of major hotels are owned by the same company. Citizens of Monaco are exempt from having to pay taxes. They are also forbidden to enter the casinos. Along with gambling, Monte Carlo is also well known for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix auto race.

Macau
Macau (also spelled Macao), is one of 2 Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People's Republic of China (PRC); the other is Hong Kong. Macau's economy is largely dependent on tourism, much of it geared towards legalised gambling, which commenced around 1850. By the early sixties, gambling generated 50 per cent of Macau's entire revenue. The world's biggest casino opened its doors in 2004 with the unveiling of the Sands Macau. Two years later, the Wynn Macau also opened for business. Interestingly enough, in 2006, and for the first time ever, Macau's land-based casinos generated more revenues that Las Vegas, rendering Macau the highest earning gaming location on the planet.

Hong Kong
Gambling in Hong Kong is against the law, except for horse racing, sports betting and lotteries, which all fall under the supervision of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Horseracing is Hong Kong's most popular spectator sport. The Jockey Club also oversees the Mark Six lottery, as well as provides betting services for football/soccer matches held outside of Hong Kong. A non-profit organization, the Jockey Club donates its profits to a number of charities. With 4,400 full-time and 20,000 part-time workers, the Jockey Club is also one of Hong Kong's biggest employers.

Indian Casinos
Indian casinos are basically regular gambling casinos, though based on Native Indian land/reservations throughout both the USA and Canada. These distinct jurisdictions benefit from limited autonomy, including the freedom to provide services such as legalized gaming, in accordance with state or provincial guidelines. There are believed to be around 388 tribal land-based casinos located in 28 U.S. states. Thus far, Canada maintains 15 Indian casinos situated in four provinces including Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick.

Cruise Ships
Prior to the advent of native Indian casinos, and aside from Atlantic City or Las Vegas, cruise ships were the only lawful alternatives American citizens had if they wished to play poker for money or gamble at casino games within US territory. The annual casino cruise market is said to be worth in excess of $15 billion, and though casino cruises are tremendously popular the world over, the leading casino cruises are based out of the USA and Great Britain. The variety of casino cruises includes both ocean and river/lake cruises, luxury & budget cruises, day and/or night cruises, etc. Like standard land-based casinos, the majority of gambling cruises are lavishly designed, though food and drinks are often available at surprisingly reasonable prices. The reason behind this is to encourage more would-be gamblers on board. British, Norwegian and Russian cruises rank among Europe's most popular casino cruise offerings.

Riverboat Gambling
Gambling on riverboats in America started back in the 1800s plus underwent a surge in popularity near the 20th Century's end as states looked for new means of revenue. Riverboat gambling's relative downfall was primarily caused by the emergence of rail travel, which provided a better means of transportation. River travel was also disturbed by the American Civil War's outbreak, and consecutively so was the riverboat gambling biz. A number of casino riverboats today remain motionless and never actually sail from their piers. Also, the forms of gaming allowed on riverboats differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, the games themselves include the traditional favourites found in land-based casinos, such as craps, roulette, slot machines, and blackjack, to name only a few.