Las Vegas Casinos and Gambling

So many casinos to choose from, where do you start?  Some people prefer to find a favourite and stick to it believing that lady luck will view them more favourably, others like to casino hop to marvel at the decor and sheer excess of it all.  Either way, have a plan and a budget and you won't go home feeling ripped off!

Virtually all casinos have no clocks or windows - they want to keep you oblivious of the time and how long you have spent at the tables.  It's also been suggested that the casinos keep the air-conditioning quite cool and oxygenated to keep their clientele fresh and perky as tired people tend to go to bed.

Listed below are some great Top 10's to help you navigate the casinos plus you can check out all the best Gambling Tips, including Do's and Don'ts!

Top 10 Casinos

Roulette Wheel Las Vegas

This is such a subjective list and should be taken with a grain of salt.  We only provide it here because some people have deemed these to be better overall as they have atmosphere or better payout statistics.  They are listed in no particular order and we stress that they are not recommended by us, you really need to make that call yourself:

  1. Rio
  2. Monte Carlo
  3. JW Marriott Las Vegas
  4. Santa Fe Station
  5. Harrah's
  6. Loews Lake Las Vegas
  7. Fiesta Rancho
  8. Golden Nugget
  9. Sunset Station
  10. Arizona Charlie's 
A more detailed listing of all recommended hotels in Las Vegas is available.  

Top 10 Themed Casinos/Hotels

Casino tables Las Vegas

These are our absolute favourites, try and see them all if you can.  Some truly beautiful venues, even if you don't gamble.

  1. The Venetian
  2. Caesars Palace
  3. Mandalay Bay
  4. New York - New York
  5. Hard Rock Hotel
  6. TI
  7. Planet Hollywood
  8. Paris Las Vegas
  9. Circus Circus
  10. Excalibur

A more detailed listing of all recommended hotels in Las Vegas is available.   

 

The Games

Gaming Las Vegas

Here's a list of the most commonly played games.

  1. Slot Machines or Poker Machines
  2. Video Poker
  3. Blackjack
  4. Roulette
  5. Keno
  6. Craps
  7. Poker
  8. Baccarat
  9. Sports Betting
There are many great books and resources available on how to play these games and how to improve your odds.  Check out these recommendations and be prepared.

Best Casinos for the High Rollers 

The Venetian Las Vegas

These casinos are seriously classy, full of towering ceilings, marble and glitzy lights. Less tacky than Downtown casinos, and they tend to be less noisy and chaotic than some of the others.

  1. The Mirage
  2. Mandalay Bay
  3. Monte Carlo
  4. The Venetian
  5. Bellagio
  6. Wynn Las Vegas
  7. Encore
  8. Aria  
A more detailed listing of all recommended hotels in Las Vegas is available.   

Best Casinos for the not-so-serious Gamblers

Paris Shopping Vegas

Whilst some of these are quite classy and definitely catering to the high-rollers they have been listed here because they have more fun themes and little more the the Vegas silliness which caters to the not-so-die-hard visitor.

  1. Harrah's
  2. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
  3. Caesars Palace
  4. New York - New York
  5. Tropicana Resort & Casino
  6. Rio 
A more detailed listing of all recommended hotels in Las Vegas is available.   

Gambling on a budget?

Head downtown and check out Binion's and El Cortez Hotel and Casino.  Both are great examples of Old Las Vegas, offering low minimum bets and a great friendly local atmosphere. 

For those who think bigger is better

The MGM Grand has one of the largest casinos in the world.  About the size of four football fields, with room left over. 

What to avoid

Many of the casinos in the downtown area are small and not affiliated with any hotel. Often staff stand out the front trying to lure you inside with promises of free stuff.  Avoid these places - they're dogdy and not worth it. 

Get this book!!

Casino Gambling For Dummies
By Kevin Blackwood, Max Rubin (Foreword by)

Casino Gambling For Dummies

 Casino Gambling For Dummies

Gambling in Las Vegas

  • Minimum gambling age is 21 - if you are under 21 and you win, the casino will take away your winnings.
  • Smokers can smoke to their heart's content in casinos - some casinos even offer free packs of cigarettes to gamblers.  Some casinos have non-smoking sections, but unfortunately it's still the same air.
  • Almost all casinos offer free drinks to gamblers - just flag down a server but don't expect fast service as it's been noted that they may take their time to ensure you've spent a little beforehand at the tables.
  • The Strip has the glitz and glamour but the Downtown casinos have better stakes, nicer clientele and less pretentiousness.
  • The minimum bets are lower Downtown so you can lose your money more slowly.
  • Local casinos have higher payoffs, and the limits are lower.  Some of the local favourites include Sunset Station, El Cortez, Texas Station, The Cannery, Fiesta Rancho, Fiesta Henderson and Fiesta Santa Fe.
  • If you are a craps shooter, check out the tables where they have the most chips. Find the guy with the most chips and do what he does.
  • Look at gambling as a form of entertainment, and not a get rich quick scheme, and you'll enjoy it more if you're prepared to spend an allocated amount on this entertainment.
  • The odds are in favour of casinos, so if you win a bit - cash in.  It's when you get too greedy that you WILL eventually lose.
  • Don't bet blindly, learn the game to improve your odds.  Many casinos provide free gambling lessons for novices - take advantage of them and you will have much more fun.
  • Don't cheat - in an era gone-by you would've ended up buried in the desert .. today you will be kicked out.
  • Remember that casinos don't need to cheat or trick you - the odds are already in their favour.
  • Join the casino club to save money.  Most hotels offer free membership in their slot and gaming clubs.  You will receive a card and you can accumulate points to later trade in for discounts on meals, shopping and accommodation.  If you gamble enough, you can even get a free room!