Casinos are big business internationally. Statista estimated a $231 billion market for the industry in 2021, and this could only grow further in the next decade as the pandemic wanes.
For high-roller travelers, casinos are an excellent stop to add to a luxury itinerary. In particular, there are casinos that absolutely stand out in terms of facilities, variety of games, reputation, and location. For gaming enthusiasts who are hoping only for top-tier quality and aren’t willing to compromise for anything less as they travel, this list is for you.
Casino De Venezia, Italy
It shouldn’t be surprising that Venice is home to some of the best and oldest casinos, given the city’s rich history. In fact, Venice houses the world’s oldest casino, Casino De Venezia, which continues to sit in state on the Grand Canal in Venice after being opened in 1638.
Today, tourists can admire the interior of the Renaissance-era palace while enjoying the hundreds of games being offered in-house. Visitors can also catch tournaments for pros, like the World Poker Tour, which regularly stops by to honor the casino’s history.
Spielbank Wiesbaden, Germany
On the other side of elegance, we have the Spielbank Wiesbaden. By 1907, the new “Kurhaus” designed by Friedrich von Thiersch included a park, ballrooms, reading rooms, and even concert halls to accompany the Wiesbaden Casino.
Prominent visitors from Napoleon to Dostoevsky were early clients in the 1860s. Today, many visitors still flock to the premises to enjoy the facilities alongside the electronic slot machines and polished wooden roulette wheels in one of the most beautiful casinos in Europe.
The Wynn, USA
While the charm of the Spielbank Wiesbaden may be unrivaled in Europe, The Wynn may be amongst the top contenders for beauty in North America. Sitting across 217 acres, The Wynn Hotel has won multiple distinctions from magazines as the “Best Hotel in Las Vegas.”
This makes for a sophisticated experience alongside the endless gaming variations and lavish high-limit salons. Regulars suggest taking advantage of the casino’s free chocolate martinis, rumored to be one of the best drinks available on the Strip.
The Bellagio, USA
You can’t discuss casinos in Las Vegas and not include the famed Bellagio, which has been featured in big-budget Hollywood movies, including Ocean’s 11 and 21. Besides trying their hand at one of the 2000 slot machines paying out jackpots as high as $2 million, visitors can catch the Big Game. Here, many of the poker world’s luminaries play in a $4,000/$8,000 limit mixed game.
This is made possible only because The Bellagio houses one of the best Las Vegas poker rooms, namely the Legends Room, an exclusive two-table enclave that is one of the regular hosts of the World Poker Tour. This has solidified The Bellagio’s title as one of the best casinos that Nevada has, with its vibrant high-stakes atmosphere attracting many poker and non-poker celebrities worldwide.
Sun City Casino Resort, South Africa
Heavily inspired by the Las Vegas style from a continent away is the Sun City Casino. This is located at Sun City, and was the first resort in South Africa to introduce the concept of million-rand ($59,000) jackpots.
The Slots Privé is even open twenty-four hours a day for high-rollers. Visitors then have a choice of accommodations beyond the 4-star Sun City Hotel, and may opt for the 3-star Cabanas or the 5-star Palace of the Lost City.
The Venetian Macao, Macau
The legacy of Las Vegas isn’t over yet. Known as the Las Vegas of Asia and the gambling capital of the world, Macau houses at least 41 casinos. At the top of the list? None other than the Venetian Casino. This is modeled on Vegas’ own Venetian complex, with over 530,000 square feet of floor space, placing it as the second largest casino in the world.
The Venetian Macao’s casino spans four themed gaming areas of 800 gaming tables and 3,400 slot machines to accommodate Macao’s wide variety of games. This caters to both locals and tourists, high rollers and low rollers, and is perfect even for the novice trying their hand for the first time.
Hotel Lisboa, Macau
While the Venetian Macao is known for its size, Hotel Lisboa is Macau’s tallest building, crowned with the largest LED dome on the planet. Its unique design mimicking a birdcage stands out as one of the city’s most defining landmarks, and the inside is just as impressive, with 1,000 slots and 800 gaming tables.
Never one to skimp on service, the casino has regular shows put on at the main bar while the gaming unfolds. Visitors can indulge in the extensive selection of nearly 15,000 wines.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands is owned by the same Las Vegas Sands company as The Venetian Macao and is guaranteed to provide the same quality of experience all the way in trade-rich Singapore. Winners can easily slip out and spend their earnings at the shopping mall located right outside the casino. Those who weren’t so lucky can still head upstairs to the Sands Skypark for a jaw-dropping panorama of the bay and a fun-filled night at the many rooftop clubs.
The Star, Australia
If playing whilst overlooking long bodies of water for inspiration is your cup of tea, then head on over to The Star, located on the Pyrmont waterfront in Sydney, Australia. The Star features two entire gaming floors, with the Sovereign Room at level three containing the Inner Sanctum. Here, high-rollers can engage in table bets ranging from $100 to $500,000, and many junket players find themselves enticed by the unique exclusivity.
Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Few casinos know exclusivity better than the Casino de Monte-Carlo, known to be the casino that supported a country. This was the main source of income for the House of Grimaldi, the traditional rulers of Monaco, and continues to drive the country’s economy today. It is thus no surprise that many of the wealthiest and most discerning gamers in the world are enticed by their variety of table games, including Chemin de Fer and Punto Banco.
For more great destinations, be sure to visit our destinations section here at Lifney.
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