★ 4 · last edited Feb 12, 2020
Casinos of Las Vegas
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Location Map of Las Vegas
Las Vegas
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The history of Vegas casinos
Casinos are the primary—if not the only—reason the vast majority of visitors come to Las Vegas. But beyond gambling itself, it’s the atmosphere, the countless shows and events, the shopping malls and retail opportunities, and all the attractions to discover, including the wildest ones, that have drawn crowds for two or three decades now.
On the Strip
The main casinos on the "Strip" and their features:
Bellagio
Built in the Italian style, it is part of the luxury category with its shopping arcade, indoor botanical garden, and art gallery known for its exhibitions. However, it is primarily its outdoor fountains with their near-constant sound and light show that capture tourists' attention.
Built in the Italian style, it is part of the luxury category with its shopping arcade, indoor botanical garden, and art gallery known for its exhibitions. However, it is primarily its outdoor fountains with their near-constant sound and light show that capture tourists' attention.
Caesars Palace
With Ancient Rome as its theme (and the rather kitsch decor that comes with it), it’s one of the oldest casinos on the Strip. It has long been known for its events and shows, especially musical performances, and, incidentally, its "shopping mall.".
With Ancient Rome as its theme (and the rather kitsch decor that comes with it), it’s one of the oldest casinos on the Strip. It has long been known for its events and shows, especially musical performances, and, incidentally, its "shopping mall.".
Circus Circus
This "old" casino was one of the first to offer family-friendly attractions. Under its massive big top, you’ll still find a carnival atmosphere, circus shows, and since 1993, an indoor amusement park ("Adventuredome") with activities for all ages, including a roller coaster, bungee jumping, and a drop tower. The casino also has a dedicated RV parking lot.
This "old" casino was one of the first to offer family-friendly attractions. Under its massive big top, you’ll still find a carnival atmosphere, circus shows, and since 1993, an indoor amusement park ("Adventuredome") with activities for all ages, including a roller coaster, bungee jumping, and a drop tower. The casino also has a dedicated RV parking lot.
Excalibur
Once the world’s largest hotel, Excalibur has, as one might expect, chosen a medieval (and family-friendly) theme. In a somewhat kitsch setting, it offers various activities and entertainment, including jousting tournaments.
Once the world’s largest hotel, Excalibur has, as one might expect, chosen a medieval (and family-friendly) theme. In a somewhat kitsch setting, it offers various activities and entertainment, including jousting tournaments.
Flamingo
Built by the Mafia in 1946, it helped shape the Vegas legend in its day. Today, as a tourist attraction, it’s just one casino among many, though it still keeps flamingos around its pools to maintain the "image.".
Built by the Mafia in 1946, it helped shape the Vegas legend in its day. Today, as a tourist attraction, it’s just one casino among many, though it still keeps flamingos around its pools to maintain the "image.".
Luxor
It’s one of the casinos with the least original decor. Built around the theme of ancient Egypt, it takes the form of a massive pyramid, which you enter through a replica of the Sphinx of Giza located next to an obelisk. The Luxor is also known for some of its shows and exhibitions (such as one on the Titanic).
It’s one of the casinos with the least original decor. Built around the theme of ancient Egypt, it takes the form of a massive pyramid, which you enter through a replica of the Sphinx of Giza located next to an obelisk. The Luxor is also known for some of its shows and exhibitions (such as one on the Titanic).
Mandalay Bay
One of the world's largest casino-hotels. Upscale, it stands out for its aquatic complex featuring wave pools, a sandy beach, and giant aquariums (the "Shark Reef") with all kinds of fish, as well as sharks, turtles, reptiles, and crocodiles.
One of the world's largest casino-hotels. Upscale, it stands out for its aquatic complex featuring wave pools, a sandy beach, and giant aquariums (the "Shark Reef") with all kinds of fish, as well as sharks, turtles, reptiles, and crocodiles.
MGM Grand Las Vegas
With over 5,000 rooms, it's one of the world's largest casino-hotels. Like others, it offers a range of events and shows (including a 17,000-seat venue), plus various sports facilities.
With over 5,000 rooms, it's one of the world's largest casino-hotels. Like others, it offers a range of events and shows (including a 17,000-seat venue), plus various sports facilities.
New York-New York
Like the Paris, the New York-New York draws inspiration from the city it’s named after in its atmosphere and a dozen replicas of landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, etc.). This unique feature is complemented by The Roller Coaster, a massive roller coaster.
Like the Paris, the New York-New York draws inspiration from the city it’s named after in its atmosphere and a dozen replicas of landmarks (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, etc.). This unique feature is complemented by The Roller Coaster, a massive roller coaster.
Paris Las Vegas
The venue is inspired by Paris and its famous landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, etc.). While it may not feel exotic for French visitors, the overall design is well-executed and popular with guests.
The venue is inspired by Paris and its famous landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, etc.). While it may not feel exotic for French visitors, the overall design is well-executed and popular with guests.
Park MGM
Formerly the Monte Carlo. Though it has changed its name, its style still aims to evoke the luxury of the eponymous city, particularly with its grand entrance.
Formerly the Monte Carlo. Though it has changed its name, its style still aims to evoke the luxury of the eponymous city, particularly with its grand entrance.
Planet Hollywood
The former Aladdin has kept its more or less "Arabian Nights" theme, at least in its vast shopping gallery and souk-like atmosphere ("The Miracle Mile Shops").
The former Aladdin has kept its more or less "Arabian Nights" theme, at least in its vast shopping gallery and souk-like atmosphere ("The Miracle Mile Shops").
Sahara
It opened in 1952 with a Sahara theme, though this has become less prominent over time after various changes. Its main attraction remains its roller coaster running alongside the Strip.
It opened in 1952 with a Sahara theme, though this has become less prominent over time after various changes. Its main attraction remains its roller coaster running alongside the Strip.
Stratosphere
It stands out with its 350-meter-high observation tower and the stunning panorama it offers. Several thrill rides are on the program, including a "drop tower," a walkway above the void, and a sky jump from the 108th floor.
It stands out with its 350-meter-high observation tower and the stunning panorama it offers. Several thrill rides are on the program, including a "drop tower," a walkway above the void, and a sky jump from the 108th floor.
The Linq
The world’s tallest observation wheel (167 metres high), a zip line, virtual reality, and an "open-air shopping promenade" are the main attractions of this recently renovated casino, which has changed names several times.
The world’s tallest observation wheel (167 metres high), a zip line, virtual reality, and an "open-air shopping promenade" are the main attractions of this recently renovated casino, which has changed names several times.
The Mirage
In the 1990s, it was one of the casinos that gave the city a more mainstream appeal. Known for its shows (Cirque du Soleil and others), its nightly volcano eruption display (a fountain-cascade by day), and also its dolphins and "menagerie.".
In the 1990s, it was one of the casinos that gave the city a more mainstream appeal. Known for its shows (Cirque du Soleil and others), its nightly volcano eruption display (a fountain-cascade by day), and also its dolphins and "menagerie.".
The Venetian
C'est un des casinos les plus connus de Vegas et des plus visités. Dans un décor sur le thème de Venise, avec répliques de la place Saint-Marc et de son campanile, du Rialto, etc, on peut se promener en gondole dans son centre commercial. Le Venitian est aussi un des grands hôtels du monde avec plus de 7 000 chambres.
C'est un des casinos les plus connus de Vegas et des plus visités. Dans un décor sur le thème de Venise, avec répliques de la place Saint-Marc et de son campanile, du Rialto, etc, on peut se promener en gondole dans son centre commercial. Le Venitian est aussi un des grands hôtels du monde avec plus de 7 000 chambres.
Treasure Island
This casino, once known for its show recreating a pirate ship attack, now hosts "Mystère", one of Cirque du Soleil’s performances.
This casino, once known for its show recreating a pirate ship attack, now hosts "Mystère", one of Cirque du Soleil’s performances.
Tropicana
It's one of the city's older casinos, built in the 1950s, but in many people's opinion, not the absolute best in terms of attractions or even appeal.
It's one of the city's older casinos, built in the 1950s, but in many people's opinion, not the absolute best in terms of attractions or even appeal.
Wynn Las Vegas
Luxury and refinement built around an artificial lake with a waterfall, plus an 18-hole golf course, an art gallery, a stunning aquatic show ("Le Rêve"), and a Ferrari dealership.
Luxury and refinement built around an artificial lake with a waterfall, plus an 18-hole golf course, an art gallery, a stunning aquatic show ("Le Rêve"), and a Ferrari dealership.
Downtown and elsewhere in the city
Golden Nugget
One of the city's oldest casinos, opened in 1946. Beyond its "shark pool," the venue houses the world's largest gold nugget (27 kg), fitting its name perfectly.
One of the city's oldest casinos, opened in 1946. Beyond its "shark pool," the venue houses the world's largest gold nugget (27 kg), fitting its name perfectly.
Palm Casino
Set back from the Strip, this casino is primarily known for its gaming (above-average payouts) and lively entertainment rather than the mainstream attractions offered by many other venues in the city.
Set back from the Strip, this casino is primarily known for its gaming (above-average payouts) and lively entertainment rather than the mainstream attractions offered by many other venues in the city.
Rio Hotel and Casino
The Rio is known for hosting the World Series of Poker, the world poker championships.
The Rio is known for hosting the World Series of Poker, the world poker championships.
The D Las Vegas
It’s located at the end of the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown. Completely renovated—and rebranded—a few years ago, it shed its original "Irish style" to become a younger, trendier, and more party-focused spot.
It’s located at the end of the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown. Completely renovated—and rebranded—a few years ago, it shed its original "Irish style" to become a younger, trendier, and more party-focused spot.
"Rules and operations" of casinos
A few tips to know when visiting casinos
Entertainment and events (non-gaming)
Casinos with family
Additional information
- Stratosphere (casino)
- Circus Circus (casino)
- Sahara (casino)
- Treasure Island (casino)
- Wynn Las Vegas (casino)
- The Mirage (casino)
- The Venetian
- Bellagio (casino)
- Caesars Palace (casino)
- Flamingo (casino)
- Paris Las Vegas (casino)
- Park MGM (casino)
- Planet Hollywood (casino)
- MGM Grand Las Vegas (casino)
- New York-New York (casino)
- Excalibur (casino)
- Tropicana (casino)
- Luxor (casino)
- Mandalay Bay (casino)
- Palm Casino (casino)
- Rio Hotel and Casino
- Golden Nugget (casino)
- The Linq (casino)
- The D Las Vegas (casino)