The World's Largest Gambling Entertainment City

When it comes to gambling, there is no place like Sin City. However, other cities are gaining ground and challenging its dominance.

WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma is one of these places. This massive gaming complex features golf courses, nightclubs, and sports lounges. It is even home to two major movie theaters.

Las Vegas

The bright lights and towering facades of the self-proclaimed entertainment capital of the world draw millions of visitors each year. But beyond the casinos and hotels lies a perfectly normal Western city with neighbourhoods, churches and strip malls. It is also one of the country’s leaders in personal crime, suicide and drug consumption.

From the 1950s casino developers started building not just casinos but resorts, complete with pools, spas and nightly live entertainment. Inspired by different civilizations and cities they created the glitzy cosmopolitan experience that Vegas has become famous for.

Today the 6.4 km long “strip” along straight Las Vegas Boulevard is home to 18 of the largest hotels in the world. It is busy all day and night. Hotels are trying to increase room revenue and diversify their businesses away from gambling.

Macau

Macau’s casinos are world-renowned and attract a massive number of wealthy Chinese who visit to play for money. It is also a major tourist destination that boasts great shopping, shows and hotels. The economy is primarily driven by tourism and gambling. Other important industries include textiles, shoes and accessories, incense, machinery, enamel, firecrackers, wooden furniture, and Chinese wines.

The tiny Portuguese colony has boomed since China regained control of it in 1999 as a special administrative region with different laws. Foreign casino operators invested heavily after Hong Kong-born tycoon Stanley Ho’s decades-long monopoly ended in 2002. The games they offered – including poker, roulette and baccarat – appeal to the country’s middle class. They offer more lucrative payouts than slot machines and have a lower house edge.

Singapore

Singapore is quickly becoming one of the world’s largest gambling entertainment cities. The 娛樂城-state boasts massive casino resorts, Universal theme parks and more. Its location in the heart of Asia also makes it a popular tourist destination.

It’s a little less glitzy than Las Vegas, but this sophisticated Asian city-state still has plenty to offer. In 2022 alone, it pulled in a respectable $14.8 billion USD in gambling revenue.

The city is known as “Instant Asia” because it provides tourists with a quick and easy glimpse into the cultures brought to it by immigrants from across Southeast Asia. It is a highly developed and stable country with an elected parliamentary system of government. It is also a City in a Garden, with over 2,100 native vascular plant species.

London

Although London is best known for its historic and artistic landmarks, the city has plenty to offer for gambling enthusiasts. Its massive entertainment venues, glitzy casinos and unique British gaming culture have drawn in gamblers from across the globe.

Las Vegas might have topped the world when it comes to annual casino revenue, but Macau is quickly making a name for itself as one of Asia’s most impressive gaming destinations. The former Portuguese colony is home to a huge number of five-star resorts and casino hotels that have helped it become the top destination in Asia.

Not to be outdone, Atlantic City is another US gambling hotspot that continues to impress when it comes to revenue. Its numerous casinos and horse race betting options have made it a popular choice among gambling aficionados.

San Jose

San Jose, the largest city in Costa Rica, is known for its variety and affordability of casinos. These facilities provide a great place to have fun and socialize with friends. They also offer full-time food and drink service to customers.

The new Bay 101 casino has reopened on North 1st Street, but is already embroiled in controversy. The reopening was marked by cards and chips, but was also the site of a picket line by former workers who say they were fired for refusing to work overtime.

The reopening comes as the two remaining local card rooms, Garden City and M8trix, face a state ban on increasing their number of tables. This would force them to raise their taxes, and may lead to a decline in their popularity.