The Best Gambling Destinations in the United States
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 11/10/2022
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
The Best Gambling Destinations
If you’re looking for comprehensive information on the top gambling destinations in the USA, then you’ve come to the right place. Despite the multitude of options that can be experienced by gamblers on American soil, there are several nuances that are easy to miss. To know more about the best places to gamble, read till the very end.
What are the best casino destinations in the USA?
If you have a keen interest in gambling, or even if you’re just dipping your toes for the first time, the chances are that you have already heard about Las Vegas. If you take a closer look, you’ll quickly realize that Las Vegas is just the tip of the iceberg.
There are several gambling hotspots scattered all over America since the nation has a long history with games of chance. Here is our list of top 5 Best Gambling Destinations in the USA:
History of gambling in the USA
Gambling has existed on American soil long before the arrival of European settlers. Games of chance formed an important part of the culture of several Native American tribes. However, gambling did not exist as an established large-scale practice at the time. When the settlers arrived, gambling was viewed differently by different communities.
Towards the start of the 17th century, community members from Virginia solidified their control over horse race betting. It was a common practice among wealthy landowners to demonstrate their courage by placing big bets while following a set of formal codes and ethics. In the mid-18th century, gambling gained a reputation as a sinful practice among Baptists and Methodists, challenging the upper class’s control over the practice.
There are approximately 392 lotteries that have been recorded as having taken place during the colonial era. Lotteries, while they were a form of entertainment, also served as a valuable source of revenue in each of the original 13 colonies. Eventually, lotteries became one of the biggest points of contention between the Colonies and Britain, in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Thus, one of the most popular American pastimes took its place in the heart of a young nation.
The wave of legalization of gambling
Gambling, which was initially an illegal practice, was one of the main contributing factors to the end of the Great Depression. In 1931, Nevada legalized most forms of organized gambling by passing Assembly Bill 98. In a couple of decades, Las Vegas rapidly developed to become the center of gambling in the United States.
The developments in Las Vegas drew the attention of prominent investors such as Howard Hughes and others, who eventually purchased several of the most significant hotels and casinos in the city, bringing an end to its connection with organized crime syndicates. The boom in revenue caused by the developments in Las Vegas didn’t go unnoticed by other states.
Southern Maryland gained popularity for its legal slot machines. In 1977, New Jersey legalized organized gambling in Atlantic City, causing it to grow into a popular tourist destination. The legalization of gambling changed the fortune of some of the most run-down neighborhoods of Atlantic City. This led to a cascading effect that resulted in several states having their own versions of gambling laws, which we will cover in the next few sections of this guide. This also saw a handful of states legalizing online casinos within their boarders.
Top 5 casino destinations in the USA 2022
We’re sure you already know that Las Vegas is going to find its way to the top of this list of the best gambling destinations in America. However, you might be surprised at some of the other places that you can visit for a fulfilling gambling experience. Read on to find out.
Las Vegas, Nevada
This list would not be complete without a mention of the best US gambling destination. As the name implies, Sin City was a gambling hotspot long before gambling was legalized in Nevada. Las Vegas is now home to a staggering 60 major casinos, outranking every other destination on this list in terms of sheer numbers.
The hub of the gambling and entertainment activities in SIn City takes place on the Las Vegas Strip. The casino action extends well outside city limits into the communities of Paradise and Winchester. Contrary to popular belief, some of the largest casinos are located outside of Las Vegas proper.
Since the administration is bullish on diversifying the economy of Las Vegas, it is no longer just a gambler’s paradise. The lack of state taxes for individuals and corporations has resulted in several other attractions such as the Fremont Street Experience, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and the Discovery Children’s Museum.
Las Vegas has the most AAA Five Diamond hotels out of any city on the planet. Apart from the major casinos, there are hundreds of smaller gaming facilities located throughout the city. In one study, 81% of all the visitors of Las Vegas said that they had gambled on the strip. Remember to check out the Venetian, the MGM Grand and the Bellagio if you visit Sin City.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
While it is famous today, Atlantic City wasn’t always known for online gambling in New Jersey. Historically, Atlantic City was founded as a resort town in early 1853. As a resort town, Atlantic City boomed in the early 20th century, with many large hotels and establishments competing for prime real estate along the seafront.
Many consider the Prohibition era as Atlantic City’s golden age. During this period, the city flourished. As local officers cooperated with smugglers, Prohibition was largely unenforced in the city, and the gambling scene thrived. Atlantic City soon earned the title “The World’s Playground”.
After World War II, the popularity of Atlantic City declined and it was plagued with poverty, crime and corruption. In 1976, voters passed a referendum to legalize casino gambling in Atlantic City. Local hotel owners immediately sprung into action, converting their dilapidated hotel structures into casinos. The Resorts Casino Hotel opened on May 26th, 1978, making it the first legal casino in the eastern United States.
Casinos mushroomed around Atlantic City with the total number standing at 13 today. The big league poker tournaments taking place annually make Atlantic City one of the prime destinations for East Coast gamblers. Looking at the city today, it’s hard to imagine that it was on the brink of economic collapse. Legalized gambling changed the fortune of Atlantic City. Some of the top casinos that you should check out in Atlantic City are Caesars Atlantic City, the Borgata and the Golden Nugget.
Reno, Nevada
Before Las Vegas became the top gambling destination in the world, the title belonged to Reno. Reno was initially a small railroad town that saw its fortunes turn during the roaring twenties when several rich gamblers would visit to experience gambling in a safe and legal environment.
Reno combines the charm of big city nightlife with the homely comforts and quaintness of a small town. Fittingly, Reno is nicknamed The Biggest Little City in the World. Because of its location, Reno tends to draw the majority of its gamblers from California, San Francisco, while Las Vegas tends to draw tourists from Southern California and Arizona.
Reno is packed with expectational casinos. Reno still holds its popularity due to its prime location and the provision of a wide variety of offerings. With a more relaxed, laid-back and casual atmosphere than other major gambling hubs, Reno draws gamblers who are looking for a less intense experience than what can be expected at Vegas.
Despite being founded on casino culture, Reno is much more than one of the top gambling destinations in the USA. Reno is famous for a low-stakes vibe, where gambling is more of a pastime than a primary attraction at its 20+ casinos. Reno is also much more family-friendly than vegas and serves as a calming getaway from urban life.
Biloxi, Missisippi
Nicknamed the Playground of The South, Biloxi is one of the top historical gambling destinations in the USA. Home to a total of eight casino-hotel-resorts, Biloxi operates around the clock to create amazing gambling experiences for players. Biloxi’s casino culture took root in the 1940s. When illegal but open gambling would take place at the Broadwater Beach Resort until the end of the 1950s.
Despite gambling only having been technically legal for around 25 years, Biloxi has quickly turned into one of the premier casino destinations outside of Nevada. Before Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi’s casino scene was restricted to riverboats. In the wake of the destruction caused by the storm, most of the riverboat establishments created massive land-based casinos.
Missippi Gambling Laws
It’s important to remember that many states do not permit gambling or gaming unless regulated and licensed by a state agency. However, Mississippi legalized gambling in 1990, leading to the establishment of the famous riverboat casinos. Gambling activities in the state are regulated by the Mississippi Gaming Commission
Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica used to be a small, quiet town until the introduction of casinos in the 1990s. The arrival of casinos led to a sudden growth in population both within and outside the town. Tunica is closely associated with many casinos along the Mississippi River, even those that are outside the county.
Over time, Tunica has grown to become one of the best gambling destinations in the USA. Largely unnoticed through the 20th century, Tunica has quietly become the go-to destination for many gamblers, particularly those from the Southern states. It has gained a solid reputation by combining Southern Hospitality with glamorous casinos and entertainment.
Unlike Biloxi, Tunica was lucky to avoid damage to its casinos during Hurricane Katrina. This resulted in some regular paying customers shifting their preferred venue to Tunica from Biloxi while repair and reconstruction work was underway in Biloxi. Despite several casinos being outside town limits, the casinos have generated enough revenue to significantly aid the development of the region.
Some of the top casinos that you should visit in and around Tunica are Sam’s Town Casino Resort, Gold Strike Casino resort, Hollywood Casino and Horseshoe Casino. You can enjoy games like Craps, Poker and Baccarat in addition to slot machines and other electronic games.
