Others say that they trust the games more when they can see the physical cards being dealt as opposed to watching live streams at a casino online. Trips to casino resorts are also not just about gambling, as they offer great restaurants, shows, and a complete change of scenery. That's why the world's gambling hubs continue to attract millions of visitors every year.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is still the first name that most people think of when they're talking about casinos. While the number of visitors has been declining somewhat in recent years, the people who are going are spending more than ever before. Las Vegas Strip casinos won $776 million from gamblers in July, which was the fifth year-on-year monthly gain in six months. Downtown figures have been weaker, which is worth noting for visitors.
The Strip is where you'll find the mega resorts, celebrity restaurants, and the headline residencies, albeit at higher prices. Downtown is older and has cheaper casinos with smaller table minimums and a more old-school feeling. Air passenger numbers coming into Harry Reid International Airport have been falling, so some good airfare deals might be attainable.
Macau
Macau is still the largest gambling city in terms of gaming revenue. The former Portuguese territory's casinos had gross gaming revenue of about $30.7 billion in 2025, which was a 9% year-on-year increase and several times what the Las Vegas Strip earns in a year.
The performance in 2026 has been strong so far, especially thanks to heavy visitor traffic from mainland China during big holidays. The FIFA World Cup also attracted a lot of attention from sports bettors.
Most visitors go to the Cotai Strip, which is an area of reclaimed land with many integrated resorts, including the Venetian Macao and the Galaxy Macau. Operators are looking to diversify away from relying mainly on gambling revenue by investing significantly into concerts, sports events and luxury suites.
Monte Carlo
Anyone who prefers the sense of atmosphere more than the odds will like what they get in Monte Carlo. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, which opened in the 1860s and later expanded by Charles Garnier, is a must-see for any gaming fans. The chandeliers and sculptures are iconic features of the private salons that have featured in many James Bond movies over the years.
The experience is very formal, so smart dress is necessary if you want to visit the main gaming rooms. There is a strict ID requirement and visitors must be adults. Some people are surprised to learn that locals in Monaco are actually banned from gambling at the casinos, so it's exclusively for tourists.
The tables are best for the likes of roulette and blackjack, but many visitors are opting to just be able to tour around the rooms before watching Ferraris and superyachts from the Café de Paris terrace across the square. Monaco is a small enough city to walk around and is only a short train ride from Nice, so it's a good add-on to any Riviera holiday.
Singapore
Singapore only has two casinos, but they're both impressive destinations. The Marina Bay Sands and the Resorts World Sentosa are integrated resorts where gaming is just one of the many attractions. Marina Bay Sands has three towers and a rooftop infinity pool that is now one of the most photographed buildings in Asia.
The property is getting even bigger, as Las Vegas Sands started a new wave of renovations in July 2025 that will cost $8 billion and will add a fourth hotel tower and an arena. It won't be until 2030 or so before all of this work is complete.
Overseas visitors can get onto the casino floor for free by showing their passport. Singapore citizens and permanent residents need to pay a daily levy to enter, which is aimed at discouraging locals from gambling. Resorts World Sentosa has Universal Studios Singapore on its site and a large aquarium, making it the preferred choice for families.
Outside of the Big Four
Many people are looking for something a little smaller than the mega casinos described thus far. Germany's Casino Baden-Baden is something that's modelled on the old French palaces, and many people say that it's the most beautiful casino in the world. The town's thermal baths give you another reason to make a visit.
London offers a different type of mood, with Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square opening into the late hours and is only a stone's throw away from West End theatres. In America, Atlantic City still is a popular destination for East Coast weekenders due to its boardwalk resorts, while Nevada's original gambling town Reno gives you easy access to Lake Tahoe.
Looking somewhat further afield, Sun City in South Africa combines a casino with golf courses, a water park and safari drives through adjacent Pilanesberg National Park. This reminds people that the tables are only one aspect of the trip.
There's a growing trend towards people wanting more than a game when they visit casinos. That's why so many companies in this space are investing into arenas, hotels, having more luxury suites and more reasons for people to stay an extra night. Online gambling will continue growing, but the biggest investments in the industry will continue to be in brick-and-mortar establishments.
The practical advice to travellers is to always check local age limits before visiting, as well as the dress code requirements. It's important that you always set a budget before sitting down at a table, similar to how you would before going shopping or going to a restaurant. Any money you spend should be a form of entertainment and not something that you get too attached to, or you might ruin the holiday.