Las Vegas is famous for many reasons – casinos being one of the biggest. People from across the world come here to try their luck in America’s playground. Some do it for new experiences, and some for serious gambling. Look anywhere, you will hear dice rolling, cards dealt, and slot machines beckon.
Vegas is home to over 100 casinos, each offering an upscale feel, variety, and big payouts. So, here’s our list of the 12 best casinos in the city. Happy Playing!
1. The Bellagio
** Note: Slight blurriness, best at smaller sizes
Spread over 116,000 sq. ft, its grandeur and luxury create an exquisite gaming space. It features over 2,300 machines on the casino. There are separate sections for high stakes table games, one of the reasons why most professional poker players like playing here and call it ‘The Office.’ Spending a day at the office is not for the inexperienced gambler.
The highest-stakes games are held in a back area called Bobby’s Room. It’s named after Bobby Baldwin, Poker Champion of the 1978 World Series. Enter the casinos at wee hours; you might get lucky and spot a few famous people playing for millions. (Villano, 2018)
The popular games at Bellagio include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Three-card poker, Let it Ride, Pai Gow, and Pai Gow Poker. Players can get drinks, food, and even back and neck massages while playing. There isn’t a reason to leave these tables unless you’re out of cash.
2. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
If you don’t intend to bet big at the games table and still have a memorable night, the MGM Grand should be your first pick. The casino has gained popularity for its vast table game pits.
Across the casino, 2,000+ slot machines offer high limit gaming options with pots that go as high as $500,000.
Don’t forget to check out their best casino called LEVEL UP. This bar/lounge/casino offers skill-based gaming as well as typical Las Vegas casino action in a fun environment different from the usual casino experience. Casual eats are located nearby, and a food court offers a quick snack that will not take up too much of your gambling time. (Quezada, 2019)
At the MGM, you’ll find a wide variety of games like Baccarat, Let It Ride Poker, Pai Gow tiles, Crazy 4, Texas Hold ’em, Casino War, and much more.
3. Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino
Caesar Palace is a famous landmark in Vegas, offering a unique gaming experience. The iconic hotel and casino are built to resemble a historical Roman setting, taking up an enormous 85 acres on the Strip.
The modern casino facilities include table games like Blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Spanish 21, Mini-Baccarat, and Pai Gow poker. The casino also features a 24-hour poker room with 16 tables and non-stop games. Each table has a Wi-fi setup and a charging station. Caesars pairs its ambiance and comprehensive casino offerings with some of the best retail, dining, and entertainment in the city.
4. Aria Resort and casino
ARIA Resort & Casino is synonymous with high-end and extravagance. It’s spread in over 150,000-square foot casino and nine restaurants. If you’re looking for slots on the Vegas Strip, the ARIA is the hottest attraction for serious players. If you’re competitive, the casino hosts several slot tournaments regularly.
Some of the popular table games include Blackjack, Craps, European Roulette, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three-card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Crazy 4 Poker, Big 6, etc.
5. The Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan or The Cosmo is a luxury resort casino located on the Vegas Strip. The casino spans in 110,000 sq. ft, offering various slot machines, video reel, and video poker machines. There’s a game here for any size gambling budget.
Even with the glamorous digs and amenities, the hotel is pet friendly. Bring Fluffy for some in room pet amenities!
The gambling menu includes classic table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, High Card Flush, Single Zero Roulette, Casino War, etc. It also features 1,300 slots and video poker machines with a wide range of denominations, anything from $0.01 up to $500.
6. El Cortez Hotel and Casino
Built-in 1941, El Cortez Hotel and Casino is a historic property located in downtown Vegas. But don’t mistake it for an outdated setup. It has an entire floor packed with slots, table games, video keno, video poker, video reels, and multi-game machines. You can find many popular table games here – from 10x odds on Craps to full pay 3-2 single and double deck Blackjack, and more.
You will be surprised to know El Cortez still has those penny and nickel machines, probably the only place in Vegas where players can enjoy both ticket and coin-operated machines.
7. Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino
With a giant-sized casino of 135,000 square feet, Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino is a perfect game lovers’ destination. You can choose to play at over 1200 slots and video poker machines.
The casino offers a plethora of games with bets ranging from $0.1 to $100. Amongst the most popular table games are Baccarat (also mini and midi), Craps, Blackjack, and Roulette. Video poker machines feature more than 300 variations of video poker from a nickel to $25 buy-in.
It also hosts three daily poker tournaments and holds free lessons every day.
8. Wynn Las Vegas
Standing tall in a sparkling golden color, one can easily spot Wynn Las Vegas from a distance. And when Encore and Wynn are combined, it becomes one of the largest casinos on the Las Vegas Strip.
Wynn boasts a 111,000-square-foot casino space populated with table games, slots, video poker, and a 27-table poker room. Some of the popular table games are Blackjack, craps, roulette, and Pai Gow.
Wynn runs a membership program as well. Using their Red Card, members can avail special offers and earn credits from their games.
9. Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino
Like a lot of hotels downtown, The Golden Nugget takes pride in its Old Vegas ambiance. It features one of the oldest casinos in town but doesn’t lack a fantastic gaming experience. It was one of the debut locations of Free Bet. Inspired by Blackjack, it offers players options to increase their winnings in exchange for ties.
The casino has more than 1,000 slots, video poker machines, and table games with free craps, poker, Blackjack, and roulette lessons. The hotel also spreads table games outside by the pool; be mindful of keeping your money in a waterproof pocket.
10. The Venetian and The Palazzo
The Venetian and The Palazzo run under one game license, and collectively, these two sister casinos offer players over 2200 slots and video poker machines, many table games. Triple 7 Blazing Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Flushes Gone Wild, and Fortune Progressive Pai Gow Poker are popular table games.
They also offer free gaming lessons on weekends. The Grazie casino rewards program runs at both the properties, allowing players to earn points on slot and video gaming.
11. Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa
Glimmering like a ruby at the Spring Mountain base, the casino at Red Rock offers off the Strip gaming in the midst of Red Rock Canyon. It is one of the best places built off the Strip to have a memorable game night.
The casino is home to different games – from all-time classics like Blackjack and Roulettes to large format slots like Buffalo Grand, Deuces Wild, etc. The cabana-lined pool area completes the resort’s outdoor ambience.
12. Circus Circus
Circus Circus hotel is a family favorite with rides and attractions in the Adventuredome. The Circus-Circus casino is a powerhouse of unlimited gaming fun. You can expect low-limit tables but plenty of loose slots and variations of games. It also has some of the latest slot machines, video and electronic table games, ranging from $.01 to $25. With rooms starting at $25, it’s a great place to save on lodging so you can optimize you chip purchasing dollars.
For those who would like to learn the game first, the casino is open for free gaming lessons every day. (Circus Circus, 2020)
You’ll Be Back!
Las Vegas is an oasis in the middle of the Nevada desert. Over the course of time it has morphed into a destination for gamblers and experience seekers. The lights of the Strip at night direct you a gamers landing strip. Whether you’re a pro or a novice, each casino offers something to wow visitors. The plane ride home is always a replay of wins and losses and plans to return again to this wonderland of fun and fortune.
Works Cited
Villano, M. (2018, May 06). 12 best casinos in Las Vegas. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/las-vegas-best-casinos/index.html
Quezada, Zeke. (2019, June 26) The 10 Biggest Las Vegas Casinos on the Strip. www.tripsavvy.com/the-biggest-las-vegas-casinos-4156543.
“THE ADVENTUREDOME: Circus Circus: Las Vegas, Nevada.” Circus Circus, www.circuscircus.com/the-adventuredome.
