The Most Gambling Cities in the USA

Gambling is a popular pastime around the world, but never a bigger industry than in the USA. Nevada and New Jersey are the world’s gambling capital for a reason. While Macau has certainly staked a claim for the throne, we can safely say that Vegas is the world’s true capital for gambling. Those deluxe casino resorts are simply too big to ignore, drawing both regulars and high rollers. With neon flashing lights in the mix and the promise of a fortune to win on hundreds of tables, it’s no wonder why Vegas is the biggest gambling city in the world.

Anyone can bet online these days, and players sure love web casinos. However, they just can’t replicate the deluxe experience you get in a Vegas casino. It’s just a luxury experience high rollers prefer, although comps have a part to play in their decision too.

There are many cities in the USA designated as gambling destinations. Some, of course, are more popular than others. Everyone knows Las Vegas, but what about Reno or Palm Springs? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most prominent gambling cities in the USA and what they offer.

Legal Gambling Situation in the USA

Gambling in the USA has been legally restricted for a long time. The first time gambling was legalized was during the Great Depression in Nevada. At that point, the state legalized gambling for economic relief, with full legalization of most gambling forms coming in 2021. It was a massive source of revenue for the state, but by the mid-1940s, Las Vegas became a highly attractive destination for investment.

The town developed rapidly in the 1950s. Cheap air and auto travel made it a popular tourist destination too. A decade later, Las Vegas became the country’s gambling capital. Even though it was linked to organized crime, most establishments went legit during the 1960s.

The situation in Nevada pushed other states to do the same. New Jersey is the most notable example. Riverboat casinos were legalized in Louisiana and Illinois, among others, in the 1990s. In 1996, gambling was legalized in Detroit. Ever since Congress overturned the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) act of 1992, there’s been a growing adoption of legalized gambling across the country.

Interest in online gambling is massive as well, with many states legalizing that form of gambling, among others. If you are looking for the best online casino in the United States, you can find plenty of options to choose from on the web. However, the reliable one will boast of some must-have features – a license issued by a reputable body, SSL encryption, various games, exciting bonuses, common payment methods, etc.

US Gambling Statistics

It’s no secret that the gambling industry is one of the biggest in the USA. It’s worth billions of dollars and provides a great economic boost to all states where it’s legal. The only two states that fully prohibit gambling are Utah and Hawaii. The other 48 have legalized one form of gambling or another, with sports betting, lottery, horse racing, and casinos being the most common.

• More than 85% of all Americans have gambled at least once in their lives. While Vegas establishments and online casinos are pretty popular, the lottery is the favorite choice of most Americans when it comes to gambling. That is connected to the life-changing rewards it offers, with many lotteries giving players a chance to win millions.
• As of 2019, there are over 400 legal casinos in the USA. That number has dropped a bit due to the COVID-19 crisis lockdowns.
• The global gambling market share of casinos is around 25%, with the market size at over 260 billion dollars annually. Those numbers are likely to get higher as more and more people join the online gambling craze. Not surprisingly, Nevada has the highest gambling profit in the USA.
• In terms of demographics, the age group that gambles the most in the USA is 45-64 years old.

Most Popular Gambling Destinations in the USA

There are plenty of cities and towns scattered across the USA that are true tourist and gambling attractions. Of course, Nevada is the first one that springs to mind, but let’s not forget Florida, Atlantic City, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

The truth is that the USA is brimming with fantastic gambling destinations. No matter if you love the pokies or hitting roulette tables, there’s more to the USA’s gambling industry than Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Is there a more familiar city associated with gambling than Las Vegas? A city built in a desert with a gambling purpose, Vegas is the world’s gambling capital. Macau may have higher revenue, but Vegas still remains the king. The world’s top casinos are all there, investing billions in games and infrastructure and looking nothing short of fantastic. Those massive neon signs, the entertainment, and the high-stakes tables are just too much to ignore for casino fans.

Also known as the Sin City and the place where dreams are made, Vegas is an alluring city that is equally popular among gamblers and tourists. Of course, there have been plenty of negative stories attached to the place, but there’s no question that it’s a larger-than-life gambling destination. The world’s leading casinos are here, including Wynn, MGM Grand, The Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesars, among many others.

Aside from the tables, you’ll find fantastic entertainment programs. Frank Sinatra thrilled players with his stage performance in the 1960s, and it’s not uncommon now to see a popular DJ or RNB star on tonight’s entertainment list. Vegas sets the bar for entertainment and gambling pretty high and is the example all other gambling destinations follow.

Biggest Casinos in Vegas

The Venetian

The Venetian is one of the biggest land-based casinos in the world. It’s also the world’s second-largest hotel with over 4,000 rooms and home to thousands of casino games. When it opened back in 1999, it cost $1.5 billion, the most expensive resort at that time. It has now been topped by its Macau hotel and casino operated by the same company, Vegas Sands.

With a sprawling gaming area of over 120,000 sq. feet, the Venetian is among the best-known names on the Strip. Its unique architectural highlights are unmissable. Inside, you can expect plenty of Venetian landmarks, including replicas of the Piazza San Marco, Piazzetta di San Marco, the Lion of Venice, and plenty of gondolas. If there’s one deluxe casino we had to pick as the best in Vegas, it has to be the Venetian.

Bellagio

The Venetian is a great resort, but the Bellagio is the more famous name. Opened a year before the Venetian, it is operated by the rival Blackstone Group. This resort is themed after the Bellagio province near Lake Como in Italy and certainly looks the part.

The fountains are the sightseeing unseen in the world of gambling, and the gaming area is nearly 120,000 sq. feet. This gambling resort is also popular for dozens of its restaurants and the wide range of slot machines. It’s a particularly popular resort for poker players and is often visited by legends of the game such as Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, and Jennifer Harman.

Wynn Las Vegas

A luxury resort located on the Strip, Wynn is a casino that cost a whopping $2.7 billion to develop. Named after its founder Steve Wynn, it’s an architectural marvel that’s pretty hard to miss. It has a gaming space of 189,000 sq. feet filled with the world’s best slot machines and endless poker and blackjack tables. High-stakes tables are the favorite in this casino which is often visited by Hollywood stars and gambling legends.

This is the first casino to feature a car dealership (Ferrari and Maserati) on the Strip and the first to feature Amazon Echo in all of its hotel rooms. If you’re ever in Vegas, you have to visit the Wynn on the Strip.

Reno, Nevada

Called the biggest little city in the world, Reno is Las Vegas’ smaller sister. The town may not have the bright lights of Vegas, but it does have its own charm. It offers the life of the big city with small-town comforts, and that’s why many players prefer coming to Reno instead of Vegas. As a matter of fact, Reno was a top gambler’s destination in Nevada before Vegas took over in the 1950s and 1960s.

Additionally, the town is located just 14 km. from the California border. Players from San Francisco get up there pretty often since it’s so close. When it comes to gambling, it does not lack a lot behind Vegas. There are well over 20 casinos in Reno, including Harrah’s, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, Eldorado Hotel and Casino, Silver Legacy, and the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Reno has a street with numerous casinos. It’s named N. Virginia, and this is where you’ll find the sign that says “Biggest Little City in the World”.

Biggest Casinos in Reno

Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

With a gaming area of 107,272 sq. feet, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is the biggest casino in Reno. It has hundreds of slot machines and tables paired with deluxe entertainment and cuisine programs. The Peppermill was Reno’s premier casino and one of the oldest ones, being built in 1971.

It is also popular because of the world-class spa (33,000 sq. feet) and 15 bars and restaurants where you can have a world-class meal.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino

The second-largest casino resort in Reno is Silver Legacy. It is significantly smaller than the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino but still has plenty of gambling space at 89,200 sq. feet. The casino resort is notable for its green-lit sphere and the unusual shape that makes it a sight you can’t miss.

The high-rise building is part of Caesars Entertainment. Besides hundreds of casino games, it comes packed with quality entertainment. At Silver Legacy, you can enjoy proper gambling and have some fun watching a hilarious stand-up comedy show or a musical act.

Eldorado Hotel & Casino

Another part of the Caesars Entertainment network, the Eldorado Hotel & Casino, offers a deluxe gambling experience with fantastic luxury rooms. It is located in the heart of Reno and has been repeatedly put on the list of top rooms and suites hotels. It offers world-class hospitality with a great gambling experience and all the amenities you need.

At the same time, the Eldorado Resort is home to some of the best chefs in the business. Custom microbrews by The Brew Brothers are a popular choice, but we suggest going through the menus to discover delicious plates on your own.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

If there’s one big rival to Las Vegas in the USA, it has to be Atlantic City. Located near New Jersey, Atlantic City is home to some of the biggest casinos resorts, such as the Hard Rock resort. It’s the place where East Coast players can enjoy big league poker tournaments, but it’s also brimming with slot machines that offer life-changing jackpots.

Walking the Boardwalk or having a plate of premier seafood are the other tourist attractions in Atlantic City besides the casinos. AC is the gambling capital in the East, with over 10 world-class casinos and premier games. All the biggest casinos have a resort in Atlantic City, so if you’re looking for premier entertainment paired with a lush gaming experience, it’s the place to be.

Biggest Casinos in Atlantic City 

Borgata Casino

Widely considered the best AC casino, Borgata features luxurious suites and rooms, casino and poker games, and fantastic nightlife to top it off. The high-rise building is a sight to see, giving poker and slot fans great accommodation to go along with a rock-solid gambling experience.

If you’re a night owl, you have plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy and a great entertainment section. Those who would rather relax with a cocktail in hand after a full day in Borgata Casino can just book their spot near the pool or have a massage in one of the spas. There’s nothing missing in Borgata, which is why it’s the premier casino resort in Atlantic City.

Caesars Atlantic City

One of the world’s biggest casino brands is among the best in New Jersey. Located on the Boardwalk, Caesars offers unmatched gambling and entertainment. It’s also packed with bars and restaurants powered by celebrities such as Gordon Ramsay.

The sprawling hotel with an ancient Rome theme is paired with thrilling casino action that you don’t want to miss. Caesars Atlantic City is an exciting getaway destination for fans of casino and luxury accommodation. Endless entertainment and world-class restaurants led by top chefs give it a deluxe flavor and make Caesars one of the absolute best casino resorts in the world.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Formerly known as the Trump Taj Mahal, Hard Rock is a leading world-class entertainment and accommodation brand in AC. It now also comes with great casino action and famous and delicious dining. Hard Rock is known for its fantastic customer service and the great guitar at the entrance, which is a sight you must see at least once in your life.

The casino offers fantastic gambling action across hundreds of slots machines, blackjack, and poker tables. In addition, the M Life Rewards program offers an enhanced and rewarding gambling experience for big spenders and regulars. Get into it, and you can expect great benefits and a regular stream of cash prizes and luxury rewards.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Gambling is probably the biggest pastime in Philadelphia and PA. It’s one of the latest states to legalize land-based and online gambling in its most popular forms. As a result, gambling has become a huge hit in Philadelphia. The first casino opened its doors in 2007, and in the past year or so, new kids on the block, including DraftKings and FanDuel, have made the market even more competitive.

At the moment, there are over 10 casinos active, with more in the pipeline. Rivers Casino is probably the most popular but Live! has its fans as well. While the state had only legalized gambling a decade ago, Pennsylvania is second only to Nevada in terms of commercial casino revenue.

In 2017, the total gambling revenue of Pennsylvania was just over $3.2 billion, setting a new record for the state. That record was shattered in 2021 after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that the record revenue for the previous fiscal year had hit $3.9 billion. Online casino gambling is growing at an unprecedented rate too, so experts believe there will be new heights pretty soon.

Most Popular Casinos in Philadelphia

Rivers Casino

If you’re looking for proper gambling and a cool night of entertainment, Rivers is a no-brainer. Located in Philadelphia, it’s the biggest casino in Pennsylvania. Formerly known as SugarHouse, it has a total gaming space of 45,000 sq. feet with 3,000+ slot machines and the PA game favorite – poker tables.

Besides casino gambling, the resort also offers plenty of restaurants and bars as well as an Event Center, which is often the site of different concerts and other types of entertainment performances. Free entertainment is provided at Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House, a favorite of many youngsters.

Live! Casino and Hotel

Live! Casino and Hotel was one of the latest arrivals to the market in PA. It opened its doors in 2021 and is located near the Philadelphia Sports Complex. With 208 hotel rooms and a large gambling area, it instantly became one of the most popular gambling sites in the city.

The casino is home to 2,100 slot machines and 150 table games set across 15,000 sq. feet of space. It is also the home of the FanDuel sportsbook. While it’s not bigger than Rivers Casino, it certainly is a popular destination.

Parx Casino

Originally called Keystone Racetrack, the Bensalem site was home to the best PA horse races. It was later rebranded as Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Casino and once again as Parx Casino and Racing in 2010. That was when the resort added casino gambling to the racetrack, now operating 3,200 slot machines, a poker room with almost 50 tables, and hundreds of live table games.

Of course, horse racing and betting are also popular, making it one of the biggest casinos in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

Palm Springs, California

Would the Sunny State be the same without a popular gambling destination? If you’re looking to gamble in California, Palm Springs is a perfect destination. The Valley is home to numerous great casinos, including Red Earth, Agua Caliente, and Morongo. While it doesn’t fall into the same category as Vegas or Reno, this is the premier destination for gambling in California.

The whole nature in this area is out of this world, featuring hot springs, vineyards, and sights you simply must-see. It has several gambling destinations with some of the world’s premier hotel resorts, such as the Ritz-Carlton, also offering gambling spaces.

Other popular gambling resorts include The Spa, Fantasy Springs, and Spotlight 29.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Gambling in New Orleans was popular for quite a long time. Horse racing bets were legalized in the early 1930s, and illegal roulette and riverboat casinos have been running even before that. At the beginning of the 1990s, the state of Louisiana legalized most forms of gambling, with a total of 15 riverboat casinos operating legally right now.

New Orleans is a unique gambling city in the USA. The gambling establishments offer high-octane Vegas-style gaming with the city’s unique flavors. So far, the only land-based casino that’s been officially recognized is Harrah’s in the famous French Quarter. It houses over 2,000 slot machines and more than 100 table games, making it a great option for players with motion sickness.

Those who like to try something a bit more different should opt for the riverboat casinos. There aren’t many of those left since hurricane Catrina, but they offer traditional games such as roulette, blackjack, and more. Of course, slots are available, too, so you won’t find anything missing. Many of these casinos come with great bonuses and entertainment programs that overshadow what the city offers.