Casinos in the coolest cities of the world - from barcelona to vegas

Welcome to the Guest Post by John Turner! If you love travelling as much as gambling, you’re going to like this post. It will take you on a virtual trip around the globe while showing some of the coolest cities with the best casinos! Enjoy the read and don’t forget your playing wheels when you go!

Do you want to gamble in the most mesmerising casinos around the world? Do you want to make your trips even more exciting? Well, there is nothing better than enjoying a game of poker or blackjack far from home in an extravagant venue. The sights, sounds and lights of foreign casinos are guaranteed to give your gaming experience a new dimension. We’ve trawled the globe to find the top destinations for casino lovers. So, pack your lucky socks and get ready for a trip to remember. Here are five of the coolest cities in the world to roll the dice.

Las Vegas, USA

We begin our tour in the most iconic gambling destination of all. No list of cool casino cities would be complete without Las Vegas. Everyone has heard of the infamous Vegas strip. But if you’ve never experienced it, you can’t quite imagine it. The neon lights, themed hotels and world-class casinos make it a bucket list destination for punters around the globe.

There are , so you can be selective. Every major chain has a branch in Vegas, including MGM, Wynn and Venetian. There are also some standout independent casinos, such as the Golden Nugget and Stratosphere.

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MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

Is there a more iconic casino brand than MGM? This global giant has owned or operated over 160 casinos since it was founded in 1986. These days it focuses on Macau and Michigan, but it still has a few venues in its namesake city. The MGM Grand Las Vegas is one of the biggest and best. It features 170,000 square feet of gaming space, with 2,556 machines and 200 table games. You can play all of the classics here, including roulette, craps, baccarat, Spanish 21 and poker variants.

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino

If you want to feel like a Caesar while you play the wheel of fortune, head to Caesars Palace. This Roman-themed casino-hotel complex is inspired by the ancient emperor. It features three main properties - the Main Tower, Octavius Tower and Forum Shops Tower – with a total of 3,341 rooms. There are 120,000 sq ft of gaming space across 120 table games and 2,000 slot machines and video poker devices. You can play all sorts of classic games here, including blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow. They also host tournaments for Texas Hold ’em, Omaha Hold ‘em and 7 Card Stud.

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The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is an upscale independent hotel and casino situated between Bellagio and CityCenter. It has 2,596 modern rooms and suites, plus 110,000 sq ft of casino space. You can enjoy dozens of classic table games at the Cosmo, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, three card poker, three card rummy, three card frontier, three card stud, 4 card poker, ultimate texas hold 'em, three wheel poker, three chip poker, three ring poker, three rings double zero roulette, pai gow poker, three way tie and three card keno.

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Monte Carlo, Monaco

We now move on to another iconic gambling hotspot. For many people, Monte Carlo epitomises glamour and sophistication. It is a ward of the Principality of Monaco and part of the Commune of Fontvieille. It is also home to two of the world’s most famous casinos - Casino Monaco and Casino Cafe de Paris.

These opulent casinos offer stunning views of the Mediterranean and the principality. They attract celebrities, aristocrats and millionaires from around the world. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to be rich to play there. Smart dress code and etiquette rules apply, but anyone is welcome as long as they have ID.

Casino Monaco

This iconic casino sits on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was designed by Jules Fréray and Jules Görg and built between 1856 and 1858. It is often referred to as Le Grimaldi, after a Genoese nobleman who once owned the site. Nowadays, it is owned by the Monaco government and run by the Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco group.

This grand casino has four gaming floors. It features around 100 table games and 1,000 square feet of slot machines. You can play roulette, chemin de fer, trente et quarante, blackjack, poker, macao, tank ogur, poker, and big six. High stakes gamblers can enjoy private banking salons.

Casino Café de Paris

Casino Café de Paris is an upscale casino and restaurant in the Fontvieille district. It was opened in 1961 and extensively refurbished in 1999. The casino covers 2,650 square metres over three floors. It features 10 gaming tables and around 250 slot machines.

You can play roulette, blackjack, poker and Caribbean Stud here. It is open until 2am Sunday to Thursday, and 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. Smart attire is required, and photo ID is necessary.

San Marino, Republic of San Marino

Next up is San Marino, which lays claim to being the oldest republic in the world. It is entirely landlocked by Italy, but it is an independent country with its own currency, politics and culture. What’s more, it is home to some of the best casinos in Europe.

It may come as no surprise that San Marino has a strong gambling culture. In fact, it has the highest percentage of slot machines per capita in Europe. There are around 200 slot machine parlours and 18 casinos. They are safe and regulated, so you can enjoy your spinning session.

Casino di San Marino

This opulent casino is owned by the government of San Marino. It covers an area of 4,800 square meters and sits 440 meters above sea level. It boasts stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Since opening in 1996, it has become a symbol of modern San Marino.

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Casino di San Marino offers dozens of classic table games. You can try your hand at roulette, blackjack, Caribbean Stud poker, Punto Banco and Rumble. They also have over 500 state-of-the-art slot machines.

Riva Lipoo Lotto

We couldn't talk about San Marino casinos without mentioning Riva Lippo Lotto. It isn't technically a casino, but it holds the world record for the largest number of lotto balls in play. The installation consists of eight floating glass spheres attached to a wooden pier. Each sphere contains 90 gold lottery balls engraved with the name of a famous artist.

The work is titled Canticum Canticorum (Song of Songs) after the biblical book of the same name. It was created by Italian artists Giuseppe Gabellone and Marco Morganeri. Riva Lippo Lotto combines religion, art, gambling and mathematics in a truly unique display.

Barcelona, Spain

Our European tour continues with the vibrant city of Barcelona. It is the second largest city in Spain and one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Needless to say, it has a thriving nightlife scene and plenty of excellent casinos.

Casino Barcelona

Known locally as Casiño Barcelona, this elegant casino first opened its doors in 1916. It moved to a new site in 1929 and underwent a major renovation in the late 1980s. Nowadays, it is one of the biggest and best casinos in Spain. It covers 8,072 square metres over three floors.

The casino is part of the Cirsa Group, which owns ten other venues in the country. It features scores of traditional table games. Some of the most popular ones are American Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em and Chinese Poker.

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Caspiana Casino Barcelona

Caspiana is another leading casino in Barcelona. It is smaller than Casino Barcelona, covering just 3,400 square meters. However, it is arguably more stylish and sophisticated. The casino is part of the Grupo Gran Via, which operates six other venues in Spain.

Caspiana offers all of the classic table games, such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Texas Hold ‘em and Punto Banco. It also boasts around 250 slot machines. One of the best things about Caspiana is its location. It is situated within the Montijo Racecourse, so you can enjoy horse racing and gambling in one place.

Dubai, UAE

No list of cool casino cities would be complete without Dubai. The futuristic Emirate is known for pushing the boundaries of architecture, engineering and entertainment. Its casinos are no exception. They are just as impressive as the city’s skyscrapers and shopping malls.

What’s more, they are part of luxury resorts, meaning you can turn a gambling trip into a family holiday. The only downside is that Dubai is strictly Muslim, so alcohol is flowing in the casinos. As such, you should expect a rowdy and sometimes rowdy clientele.

Emirates Casino

Atlantis, The Palm is one of the most iconic hotels in Dubai. It resembles the fabled Atlantean civilisation said to have existed beyond the Atlantic Ocean. The five-star resort features 1,539 rooms, suites and underwater suites. It also boasts no less than 23 dining options, 90 retail outlets, and a 46-hectare water park. Oh, and let’s not forget the casino…

Emirates Casino is located on the mezzanine floor of the resort. It stretches over 6,452 square feet and boasts panoramic marina views. There are more than 120 slot machines and 20 classic table games. You can play roulette, blackjack, poker, Carribean Stud Poker and Pontoon. The dress code is smart casual, and guests must be over the age of 21.

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Crystal Casino

Crystal Casino is an upscale gambling venue inside the luxurious Moevenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate. It covers an area of 19,00 square feet, making it the biggest casino in Dubai. The plush casino features 18 table games and more than 200 electronic slot machines.

Games include American Roulette, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Pontoon and Poker. Crystal Casino is linked to the Metro Station and boasts easy access to the city’s main attractions. It is worth noting that the casino is closed to Muslims and Christians during daylight hours.

New Orleans, USA

Our final US stop is New Orleans, Louisiana. Also known as NOLA, the Big Easy or Crescent City, New Orleans is famed for its music, cuisine, architecture and Mardi Gras celebrations. It is also home to several historic and charming casinos.

Fair Grounds Race Course

Believe it or not, the Fair Grounds Race Course has had gambling licences since 1852. It hosts the Louisiana Derby, which has become a key trial race for the Kentucky Derby. According to local legend, the track is haunted by the ghost of a jockey named Mushmouth.

Harrah’s New Orleans Casino

Harrah’s New Orleans Casino is part of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation group. It is based in the Historic Fair Grounds Race Course Xavier Square. The casino covers 30,000 square feet and features 850 slot machines and 40 table games.

Some of the games you can play at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino are Blackjack, Craps, Mini and Mega Bacarrat, Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em and Pai Gow. It also boasts live table gaming where you can play Mississippi Stud Poker, Mini and Mega Baccarat, Craps, Roulette, and Three Card Poker.

Crescent City Casino

Crescent City Casino is a riverboat casino that covers 40,000 square feet. It is modelled after the city hall building that once stood on the same site. The casino is owned by Vici Properties and managed by Eldorado Resorts Inc.

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Onboard, you will find more than 800 slot machines and 28 table games offering classic titles such as mini and megabaccarat, craps, roulette, and three card poker. Don’t forget to step outside and enjoy the great view of the fairgrounds racetrack and historic carousel.

Macau, China

Last, but certainly not least, we arrive in Macau, also known as Macao or 澳加. This special administrative region of China is often called the “Las Vegas of Asia”. That is hardly surprising, considering 50 of the world’s biggest casino brands operate there, including William Hill.

Macau generates ten times the revenue of Las Vegas due to its 40 casinos. In fact, the city accounted for 67% of global casino industry revenues in 2020. The SAR government aims to diversify the economy, so it introduced strict anti-COVID measures and imposed trading stops on operators.

City of Dreams

City of Dreams is a lavish integrated resort located on reclaimed land in Cotai. It was developed by Melco Crown (Entertainment) and opened in 2009. The resort was designed by Reiser + Umemoto Architects and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. The Dancing Water Theatre is the centrepiece of the property, providing daily shows choreographed by the same team that worked on the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.

City of Dreams features around 1,400 guest rooms and suites. It also boasts 420,000 square foot casino with nearly 400 gaming tables and 1,070 state-of-the-art slots. Games include baccarat, blackjack, sic bo, Caribbean Stud poker, English poker, three card poker, four card poker, Pai Gow poker, portuguese poker, tangka, fifty fifty, roulette, taipan and war.

Wynn Macau

Wynn Macau is a luxury hotel and casino located in the Centre of town. It was developed by Steve Wynn and opened in 2006. The resort covers 213,000 square feet and features 600 rooms and suites, 28 sublime gaming tables and 194 state-of-the-art slot machines. It also houses approximately 35 food and beverage outlets.

Some of the table games you can play at Wynn Macau are Baccarat, Sands Midi Baccarat, Imperial House Baccarat, Mass Mielen Baccarat, Tiger Eye Baccarat, Premium Mass Baccarat, Slingshot Baccarat, Sands Trio, Fan-Tan, Baccarat Commission, Blackjack, Mini Baccarat Commission, Sands China Stud, Pacific 21, Three Card Poker and Roulette.

Studio City

Studio City is a theme park-inspired integrated resort in Cotai. It was developed by Melco Crown (Entertainment) and architects Robert Utigela and ZUO architects + planners. The Batman-inspired building is a landmark in the city and a firm favourite among visitors.

The casino features 160 table games and 1,300 state-of-the-art slot machines. They range from classic games such as baccarat, sic bo, blackjack and roulette to newer titles such as War of Elements, Dice Dice Dice and Great Kingdom. Studio City also boasts an 8,000-seat STUDIONEFOX ox, the largest performance theatre in Asia.

Santos, Greece

Our European tour continues with Santos, Greece. It is the second largest city in Greece and the capital of Attica. Like many coastal cities, it has a rich maritime history and several fascinating museums. It is also home to one of the most iconic Greek casinos.

The casino is part of the Athinas Riviera Casino & Five Star Hotel, which covers an area of 55,000 square metres. It is set to become the tallest building in Greece, standing at 182 metres high. The complex will feature three golden cylinders on top, which will rotate 360 degrees and serve as a luxury observation deck.

Athinas Riviera Casino & Five Star Hotel

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As you might guess, Athina Riviera is both a casino and a hotel. It is being developed by the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) and Lamda Development. The project received the go-ahead in 2016, and the first stage opened in 2020.

The casino covers 8,470 square metres. It features more than 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines and 100 classic table games. Some of the games available in Athina Riviera are American Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino War and Punto Banco.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Our penultimate stop is Amsterdam, the beautiful capital city of the Netherlands. It is renowned for its cyclists, canals, coffee shops, museums, nightlife and liberal values. There are several casinos in Amsterdam, but De Meerdijk is the largest.

De Meerdijk

Located near Schiphol Airport, De Meerdijk is a modern Dutch casino that covers 4,500 square meters. It is operated by Holland Casino and features 450 slot machines and 42 table games.

The casino offers all of the classic table games, including blackjack, baccarat, chest, French chest, English chest, Punto Banco, sic bo and roulette. It also hosts poker tournaments for Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha and Seven-card stud.

Bridgetown, Barbados

We end our tour in Bridgetown, Barbados. The vibrant city is full of colourful buildings, lively markets and interesting museums. It is also home to the gorgeous Crystal Casino.

Crystal Casino

Contrary to its name, Crystal Casino is built inside a pastel pink Brownong Building. It is located on the ground floor of the Accra Beach Hotel & Spa. The boutique casino covers 4,305 square feet and features more than 300 state-of-the-art slot machines.

Visitors to Crystal Casino can play traditional table games such as American Roulette, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker and Pontoon. It is worth pointing out that players must be aged 18 and over, and staff may ask to see proof of identification. Additionally, the dress code is smart-casual.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it - ten of the best casino locations around the world. Whether you prefer the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas or the charm of smaller cities, there is something for everyone. Why not visit some of these incredible places and try your luck at the tables or slots? Who knows - you might even become the next gambling legend of your chosen destination.

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About the author

Peter Clayton

Peter is one of the UK's most experienced iGaming writers, having covered everything to do with the passage of the Gambling Act 2005 and the subsequent growth of online casino and casino gambling in the UK since 2006.