- If you’re looking for casinos where you can play for free, Golden Nugget is a great place to start.
- MyListico and demos are two ways to find free online casino games without sacrificing your bankroll.
- Foxwoods Resort Casino has a variety of entertainment options, from bowling to laser tag, to balance out its gambling offerings.
You don’t have to gamble to enjoy a casino. In fact, many people choose not to play casino games even when they are in a casino setting.
Casinos realize this, which is why you can find many things to do at these alluring locales that don’t involve betting a dime. They still lose money because they’re running a business that costs money to operate, but far less than when people are playing slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games.
Not everything a casino offers costs money, but pretty much anything worth doingclearly doesn’t. Here we discuss casinos where you can play for free and others like them.
Casinos Where You Can Play for Free
The first step to understanding casinos where you can play for free involves separating those that offer “free” versions of their gambling games from those that don’t.
I’ll touch on the former later in this discussion, but most casino enthusiasts would agree the latter is more important—offering things to do that don’t involve gambling at all.
Featured Online Casino – Get a $50 Free Silver Card plus 100% up to $1000 at .
1. Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and Las Vegas
Golden Nugget tops the list of the best online casinos, so it should come as no surprise that its brick-and-mortar establishments belong among the casinos where you can play for free.
In fact, this casino chain ranked second on the List of World’s Most Irresistible Hotels by Travel + Leisure mag.
Although you won’t find “free” games to play here (unless you count the slots tournaments, which don’t cost anything to enter), there are plenty of free things to do.
Here are some examples of how Golden Nugget ranks among the casinos where you can play for free.
- The high octane Ventari lounge entertaining guests with mindblowing visual effects, contortionists, and dancers. It’s free, but tips are appreciated.
- The Tropical Vikings luminescent light and movement show inside the hotel’s top-atrium location, The Tank. It’s also free, but tips are appreciated.
- The awesome shark tank with its transparent underwater tunnel and walkthrough aquarium.
- The yearly Golden Nugget Poker Open tournament with a $250 entry fee that draws hundreds of players and awards over $600,000.
There’s something going on almost every night at one of the various venues within this resort, so check their calendar of events during your planned stay to get an idea of what you might want to see.
Some require reservations, especially if you’re talking about seeing the Victoria Cream Tea & Finger Cutlery Experience or one of the headliner acts in The Showroom.
2. Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut
This Native American-run casino was the very first to offer gaming options to non-tribal members in CT.
It remains one of the largest employers in southern New England and has earned a reputation as one of the casinos where you can play for free because of its many other attractions.
Foxwoods boasts several unique distinctions, including the world’s largest bubble soccer pitch, the longest miniature golf course on earth, and the only level-three obstacle course in New England. These are just a few of the reasons this casino makes my list of casinos where you can play for free.
Here are some of the freebies you’ll find at Foxwoods.
- Two large arcades offering classic and modern video game options with redemption prizes.
- A 40-lane premium duckpin bowling center with cosmic bowling on Fridays and Saturdays.
- A 54-hole premier indoor golf center with natural grass hitting mats, a full pro shop, instructional programs, and more.
- A trampoline park spanning 30,000 square feet filled with all manner of bouncy objects and activities for kids and adults alike.
- Laser tag arenas covering 7,000 square feet with special lighting, sound systems, and simulated fog.
- The amazing Tanger Outlets right next door with more than 85 brand-name stores selling factory outlet prices on clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, gifts, home décor items, and more.
You could spend days at Foxwoods enjoying all it has to offer and never lay a single coin on the felt gaming tables or pull the arm on a single slot machine.
And while the casino does make money from the arcade games and redemption prizes, nobody is losing real money here. It’s a win-win situation.
3. Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada
Bellagio may be one of the finest Las Vegas casinos, but it also ranks among the casinos where you can play for free—if you know where to look.
No Deposit Required Bonus Casinos in UK for 2023 [Popular Slots]Everyone knows about the fountains, of course. While not free, the fountain shows are relatively inexpensive, and certainly worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
But few visitors to Bellagio realize there’s plenty to see and do inside the building that doesn’t involve laying a bet. Here are some examples.
- The Botanical Gardens changes its floral displays monthly to keep things interesting. All you pay is your admission ticket (or room key).
- The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens features five themed gardens rotated seasonally. Also free with an admission ticket or room key.
- Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil celebrates the music and creativity of the King of Pop without any actual gambling elements.
- The Gallery of Fine Art hosts internationally renowned artists like Marc Chagall, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh without charging an admission fee.
- The Chippendales male revue may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely free of gambling elements.
These are just a few examples of the many things to do at Bellagio besides gambling. There’s always something going on in this lavish resort, so be sure to check the events calendar before arriving.
4. Atlantic Casino Red Jacket in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic Casino Red Jacket might be one of the smaller AC casinos, but it packs a wallop when it comes to non-gambling amenities and attractions.
For example, the Red Bar Cafe right there in the casino serves breakfast all day long in addition to lunch and dinner fare. And yes, you can enjoy a hearty meal without dropping a dollar in the slots.
Here are some additional examples of free things to do at Atlantic Casino Red Jacket.
- See the sunset from your oceanfront balcony. This casino is the only oceanfront casino in town.
- Enjoy live music and entertainment nightly at the Back Bar.
- Shop for sundries, souvenirs, and gifts at Wave Watchers Gift Shop.
- Relax in one of the plush lounge chairs along the indoor/outdoor boardwalk.
- Stroll the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, which is now open to pedestrians and cyclists only.
- Take advantage of the free shows and attractions up and down the Boardwalk.
- Visit Steel Pier for more free amusements and carnival games.
If you like oceanfront property, this might be your best choice for casinos where you can play for free.
5. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi
Beau Rivage may be the best downtown Biloxi casino, but that’s not why it makes my list of casinos where you can play for free.
It makes the list because of all the things there are to do here that don’t involve gambling.
Sure, you can sit out in the lobby and watch the pretty fountain show shooting water 100 feet into the air, but that doesn’t count as a genuine gambling experience.
Here are some more authentic examples of free things to do at Beau Rivage.
- BRAVA Broadway style musical productions, presenting hit shows like MAMMA MIA!, JERSEY BOYS, and CHICAGO.
- BALLY’S DANCE – starring Jaimie Goodwin, described as a high-energy dance revue with acrobatics and extreme flexibility.
- The Miss Beau Rivage Pageant, held the Tuesday following Mardi Gras.
- The marina with deep-sea fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, and sunset dinner cruises.
- The spa and fitness center, sauna and steam rooms, and indoor and outdoor pools.
- The gift shop and photo gallery, both excellent places to shop for souvenirs.
This Gulf Coast casino and resort is located in the heart of Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos, so you know the action is always hot and heavy here. If that’s not your scene, though, there’s plenty else to do without ever feeling pressured to gamble.
6. Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas
Atlantis Paradise Island isn’t technically in the United States, but it’s close enough for most Americans to consider it one of the casinos where you can play for free.
It’s also one of the biggest and best Bahamas resorts, drawing tourists from around the globe who come to enjoy the pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and many other amenities.
While this destination resort does have a casino, it offers many other diversions that don’t involve gambling. Here are some examples.
casino popular games- The Dig – a 111,000-gallon open-air aquarium tank filled with a variety of marine life, including sharks and rays.
- The Rapid River Attraction – a lazy river ride through a series of rapids.
- The Mayan Temple 12-foot slide riding through a clear acrylic tube surrounded by the saltwater aquarium.
- Snorkeling with tropical fish and Caribbean reef sharks in the Predator Lagoon.
- The Ruins, a series of three massive pyramids enclosing various hotel accommodations.
- The marina with deep-sea fishing charters, glass-bottom boat tours, and more.
- The Mandara Spa featuring 27 treatment rooms, a private spa lounge, couples suites, Vichy shower rooms, and more.
Atlantis Paradise Island is one of the largest hotels in the Bahamas, with 4,005 rooms spread across a massive 141-acre site.
Even if everybody wanted to gamble all the time, there wouldn’t be enough slot machines and table games to keep everybody occupied 24/7.
That’s why Atlantis ranks as one of my favorite destinations among casinos where you can play for free.
How to Play Free Casino Games Online
Playing free casino games online is an effective way to hone your skills before risking real money on gambling games. But did you know there are two distinct ways to play free online casino games?
One method involves playing demo games, while the other requires creating a separate account specifically for free play. I’ll touch on each method below.
Free Casino Game Demos
When an online casino offers free casino game demos, you’re essentially playing the same game that paying customers are playing – except you’re not wagering any real money. Instead, you’ll be playing with virtual credits the casino provides at the outset.
Demo games are a good way to evaluate new gambling games before investing real money in them.
Such was the case with Buffalo Hunter, a Quickspin slot game released in demo mode back in 2019. After evaluating its features and gameplay in demo mode, many players invested their cash in this hunting-themed game and came away winners.
Similarly, my recommended online casino, , often releases new slot games in demo mode.
Here’s how you can try out free casino game demos at Wild Casino.
- Create an account (if you haven’t already done so).
- Go to the “Slots” category and select “New.”
- Choose a game marked “DEMO,” such as Buffalo Hunter.
- Play the game until your virtual credits run out.
- When ready, switch to the real money version and start betting for real.
Another option is visiting a casino review website like MyTopOnlineCasinos.com, which allows you to play the latest slots in demo mode directly from your browser.
MyListico
MyListico is an online portal created by Wild Casino where registered players can access over 350 free casino games.
Unlike demo games, MyListico doesn’t use virtual credits. Instead, whatever you win is deposited into your Wild Casino account using the Chase feature.
Chasing funds into your deposit account from MyListico’s free games is easy. Just follow these steps:
Once you’ve linked your Wild Casino account to your MyListico portfolio, you can play as much as you want, as often as you want, absolutely FREE. What could be better than that?
Well, if you win a fortune playing MyListico games, that would be better. But winning a fortune on free games that only pay counterfeit chips is hardly a practical windfall.
If you want to win real money playing honest-to-goodness gambling games, I have just the thing.
Want to play for real money? Visit Wild Casino today.
Other Casinos That Are Free (Sort Of)
So far, I’ve talked about physical casinos with lots of free stuff to do and online casinos with free game demos and separate free portals. Now, let’s talk about casinos you can visit without leaving your La-Z-Boy.
Yes, I mean the countless online casinos available via the Internet. Even after the dot com bust of the early 2000s, thousands of quality websites continue to draw millions of daily visitors.
And while I don’t care to pay subscription fees for most of the stuff available online, I know plenty of folks who do.
I don’t subscribe to streaming video services like Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, or DC Universe. However, my wife swears she couldn’t get through the month without them.
I guess I’m just old-fashioned in that I still like to flip through the channels with a magic box called a television. Go figure.
Incidentally, if you’re looking for the absolute best channels to leave the casino with, check out the list I compiled below.
Back to the topic at hand: online casinos are wonderful places to play your favorite gambling games without actually going to a physical casino. For instance, you could be sitting at your desk in Des Moines, Iowa, dressed in your polar fleece onesie, and playing baccarat against players in Beijing, Berlin, and Bangalore, India, all at once.
Cool, huh?
If you’re interested in finding a good online casino, consider reading our comprehensive guide on the matter.
Why Do Casinos Have Free Things to Do?
By now, it should be apparent that many casinos – both online and land-based – offer lots of things to do that don’t involve gambling.
But why do casino owners go to so much trouble and expense to provide free entertainment? Wouldn’t it make more sense to focus all attention on the gaming areas and milk the customers for every last nickel?
Apparently not.
One of the reasons why is because non-gamblers sometimes accompany gamblers to casinos and have nothing to do while their partners play cards or spin the wheels.
WSOP.com PA Review - PokerSoftwareBack in the old days, non-players had two choices: sit on a hard bench nearby and wait for their companions to finish or wander off to do something elsewhere. Often, of course, the non-players stayed behind in the hotel room, getting into the neighbour’s channel on TV.
Hotel occupancy rates were low because disgruntled non-players when what they really wanted was something to do while their spouses gambled.
Today, many casino operators have caught on to this dynamic and started providing lots of alternative diversions for non-players – and sometimes even for players needing a break from the incessant jangle of slot machines and dealers shouting, “Big winner in section eight!”
Providing free entertainment helps casinos in another way, too. By attracting larger numbers of visitors, these establishments spread their expenses over a greater number of patrons – some of whom will doubtlessly feel inspired to place a few bets, whether they feel lucky or not.
More Casinos Where You Can Play for Free
My list of casinos where you can play for free couldn’t possibly be definitive simply because there are so many to choose from. Everybody has their favorites, and I’m happy to share mine with you.
Below are a few more casinos that deserve an honorable mention.
7. Harrah’s Casino Hotel in Reno & Las Vegas
Harrah’s Reno and Harrah’s Las Vegas both rank among the best Nevada casinos and worst Nevada casinos, depending on who’s doing the ranking.
However, regardless of where Harrah’s lands in the popularity polls, it’s always been one of my favorite places to catch a nice show without spending a dime on gambling.
I remember seeing Elvis (Michael King) at Harrah’s Reno way back in the ’80s. He looked remarkably like the king of rock ‘n’ roll and sounded even more like him.
Through the years, I’ve enjoyed many other fine shows at Harrah’s casinos in Reno and Las Vegas – and I seldom laid a bet on any of them.
In addition to world-class entertainers, Harrah’s offers arcade games, airbrush tattoos, car washes, restaurants, lounges, gift shops, and more without requiring you to gamble.
8. Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Yes, Trump still has his name on this once-grand but now faded Atlantic City casino, and surprisingly, it’s still standing.
Perhaps more surprising is the fact that Trump Taj Mahal ranks among my list of casinos where you can play for free because of its many non-gaming amenities – unlike its former owner, who most decidedly is not a free soul.
Here are some of the freebies you’ll find at Trump Taj Mahal.
- Legends in Concert, with its tribute artists mimicking the hits of superstars like Elvis, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Shania Twain, and more.
- The upscale shopping experiences of Brand Baroness and The Plaza Store.
- Arcade-style games of chance and skill in the Casino Arcade.
- Dinner and a show at the Chaplin Wheel of Fortune Lounge.
Trump Taj Mahal is no longer one of the Donald’s businesses, but maybe it should be. After all, he seems to know a thing or two about running casinos that offer free entertainment to non-players.
9. Tropicana Atlantic City in New Jersey
Like many other Atlantic City casinos, Tropicana has had its ups and downs over the years but manages to hang in there despite stiff competition from neighboring states with legal gambling establishments.
Tropicana does have one major thing going for it, however: it’s one of the casinos where you can play for free thanks to its many attractions and amenities.
For example, the IMAX Theatre presents first-run feature films in true IMAX 3D, making even the shakiest movies seem stable.
Admission prices are reasonable, and season passes are available for those who plan to see multiple features.
Other free attractions at Tropicana include the following.
- Various boutique shops selling designer clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, snacks, and souvenirs.
- The Miss Tropicana Pageant, held the Tuesday following Mardi Gras.
- The Indulge Spa & Fitness Center with 22 treatment rooms, a private spa lounge, couples suites, sauna and steam rooms, and more.
- The Ocean First Casino with multdenominational progressive jackpots, virtual sports, and electronic keno.
- The upscale dining experience at Cherry Club Restaurant serving fresh seafood and prime steaks with live Big Band music nightly.
10. Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi
Located near the western border of Tennessee, Gold Strike Casino Resort is one of the biggest and best Tunica casinos, offering miles of slot machines, dozens of poker and blackjack tables, restaurant galore, and even a bowling alley.
Of course, all that costs money to operate, and somebody has to pay the piper. Some people believe the best way to do that is by enticing non-gamblers into the casino with lots of free stuff to do.
Consequently, here are some of the things you can do for free at Gold Strike Casino in Tunica.
- Legends in Concert, presenting tribute artists impersonating superstars like Elvis, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Shania Twain, and Reba McEntire.
- The 12-screen Malco Entertainment Center showing first-run feature films in 3D.
- The Bowlerama with 24 lanes of 30-pound house ball, shoe rental, and automatic scoring.
- The Starburst Arcade with an assortment of video games, pinball machines, redemption machines, crane machines, and more.
- Dueling Piano Bar for an evening of music, laughter, and sing-alongs.
- The Retail Promenade for casual shopping of gifts, jewelry, candy, cigarettes, magazines, and more.
All these freebies and more help Gold Strike attract large crowds to its facility, spreading the operating expenses over a greater number of patrons. Some of these folks eventually find themselves drawn to the siren song of the slot machines, while others are content merely to enjoy the show and move on.
Playing Casino Games for Free at Home Is Awesome
As mentioned above, there are literally thousands of online casinos eager to sell you gambling games you can play in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Personally, I prefer wildcasinobonus.com, mainly because I got a nifty welcome bonus the first time I visited the site.
Anyway, the point is this: you really don’t need to go to a real (brick & mortar) casino to enjoy your favorite gambling games. You can play slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, pai gow, baccarat, and dozens of other table games on your desktop PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Check out this list of the best sites to play online casino games for some recommendations.
By the way, all the sites I recommend here are legit and licensed. Each one has passed my stringent criteria for security, customer support, banking, and fair gaming, so you can join any of them with confidence.
Enjoy the free games, and good luck!
Footnotes:
- Article reference to the American Gaming Association is courtesy of the .
- Information on Trump Taj Mahal from the .
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's written for television and the printed media, and he'll write for just about any blog that will have he he. Paine is a veteran of the Iraq War, and he lives with his family in Kansas.
