Gaming capitals you didn’t know existed
In addition the global casino meccas, there’s a whole world gaming capitals you may not know about
IN THE 21ST century, anyone with even a passing awareness of casinos knows about Las Vegas. The glittering city in the middle of the Mojave Desert is the most iconic modern gaming capital on Earth.
An estimated 40 million people visit the Las Vegas Strip each year, spending over $50 billion on gaming. Casino tourism is worth approximately $80 billion annually to Las Vegas, so why don’t other destinations replicate its model?
The answer to that is easy, wherever state or national rules and regulations allow it, they do! Cities and resorts worldwide stake a significant part of their tourism targets on the appeal of casinos.
Italy’s Venice has been a casino destination since the 1600s, and Monaco’s Monte Carlo since the mid-19th Century. In Asia, Macau’s gaming importance has grown steadily since the 1850s, and casino revenue now represents around 40% of GDP.
But these are just the biggest hitters, the places with a global reputation as casino giants. Here’s our guide to some of the others – the gaming capitals you didn’t know existed.
Atlantic City, USA
Beyond Las Vegas, the USA has several smaller casino capitals spread across the states that permit such entertainment to operate. Atlantic City in New Jersey is one of the biggest, with oceanside boardwalks and vibrant nightlife to complement its gaming.
Other US casino destinations with big reputations include Reno in Nevada and Deep South towns in Mississippi and Louisiana. Many of the biggest casinos can also be found on Native American reservations in California, Oklahoma, Florida, and other states.
Niagara Falls, Canada
While thundering cascades might be the main attraction at Niagara Falls on the Canada-US border, they’re not the only one. Less known is that the Ontario side of the Niagara River is a resort filled with entertainment, including two casinos.
Though less numerous and concentrated than their American counterparts, casinos are a major attraction in several of Canada’s major cities. The Great White North is also a major provider of online gaming experiences, as BonusFinder’s bitcoin casinos Canada list shows.
London, UK
Entertainment isn’t tough to find in the capital of the UK – for a start, the city has over 200 theatres. It also has a long-standing tradition of gaming in various forms and is home to roughly two dozen casinos today.
One of its key venues is the Hippodrome, an entertainment complex in the heart of London’s West End. Open 24 hours every day except Christmas Day, gaming at the Hippodrome offers a unique window into London life.
Sydney, Australia
Until 2020, the most iconic city Down Under was home to just one major gaming venue, The Star in Pyrmont. Now Australia’s second-biggest casino, it features two gaming floors, three restaurants, a hotel, a theatre and an event centre.
Today, Sydney has cemented its place as a casino capital with the arrival of a prestigious second operator, Crown Sydney. This sister property to complexes in Melbourne and Perth is a luxury resort complete with apartments, restaurants, and a spa.
Each one of these gaming capitals offers something slightly different to its visitors, both in the casinos and around them. Part of what makes casino tourism so exciting is the variety of places, venues, and experiences to discover.
As the casino tourism market grows, so does the competition for customers. Being the biggest and the best is one way to stay ahead of the crowd, but gamers also demand innovation.
Hosting live shows is one of the most common ways casinos upgrade their offering. Attaching hotel facilities is another perfect addition, as it allows guests to stay, and play, as long as they choose.
Other investments and experiences contemporary casino companies are using to attract new audiences include:
- Added Art
From bespoke pieces that generate wonder to showcases by celebrated artists, exhibitions and installations are proving popular everywhere. When a spectacle draws crowds through the doors, curiosity quickly leads new faces to the tables.
- Celebrity Chefs
Gamers need to eat just like everybody else, so finding a culinary USP is always a boost for a casino. Vegas attracted Gordon Ramsay, Masaharu Morimoto went to Connecticut’s Foxwoods Resort, and Nobu Matsuhisa has restaurants in three Australian Crown properties.
- Going Hybrid
The physical and digital worlds are getting closer together in every area of our lives, and casinos are no different. Traditional venues in every destination are learning how to integrate VR, AR, and other technologies to create seamless hybrid experiences.
Of course, we can tell you about the world’s off-the-beaten-track gaming capitals until we’re blue in the face. But the best way for you to understand them is to experience them yourself, and that means taking a trip.
So, where do you want to go first? Atlantic City, Niagara Falls, London, Sydney, or further to Manilla, Johannesburg, Goa, Hanoi, or beyond – the choice is yours!