Regarding gambling at high-note casino establishments, the US stands as the mecca for anyone who wishes to test their luck on cards or dice. There are more casino venues and resorts in the USA than in any other country. After some number crunching, the USA has a whopping 619 casino hotels and 2,147 registered casinos. As such, you can expect to find some of the most captivating casino cities in the US. These make this review’s focus as we look at some of the biggest casino cities across the US. Without further ado, here are the most famous casino cities in America.
Atlantic City – New Jersey
Atlantic City seems like the ideal destination for the kind of fun and enjoyment you expect at a casino city. The seaside resort city has it all, from a long shoreline to the picturesque landscapes of the Absecon Island where it sits. The city, which is in the state of New Jersey, is referred to as the Las Vegas of the East Coast, and for good reason, too. The city has a population of 38,497, which, according to the 2020 census, is a 2.4% reduction from the 2010 census. Before its rise to prominence, the region originally served as a summer home to the Lenape tribe of Native Americans that settled there in the 18th century. Atlantic City was developed into the resort city it is today in 1850, adopting the name Atlantic City in 1853. Jonathan Pitney, regarded as the “Father of Atlantic City,” was the first to see the potential of the area becoming a resort city owing to it being next to the Atlantic Ocean.
Melding the Jersey shore and the buzzing nightlife and lights of casinos, Atlantic City is, these days, known as America’s Playground. The city is home to an impressive 13 world-class casinos with luxury and big-name status and is one of the places you should visit in the US. Among the top names for notable casinos in Atlantic City are the Borgata, Caesars Atlantic City, and the Golden Nugget. The Broadwalk is lined with top-tier casino resorts such as the Ocean Casino Resort, Tropicana Atlantic City, and the famous Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. These are mixed in with some of the best luxury spas and holiday resorts, which have become another thing the city is loved for.
Las Vegas – Nevada
It is simply not possible to talk about gambling in America and not mention Las Vegas. Known simply as Vegas, it is arguably the most famous gambling destination worldwide. As the county seat of Clark County, the Las Vegas metropolitan area is among the largest in the Southwestern parts of the US, with a population of 2,227,053. Visitors and casino tourists around the world often view a trip to Vegas as a pilgrimage because it is home to all the leading casino brands we associate with the activity. The city’s name is Spanish for ‘the meadows’ and has been billed as the Entertainment Capital of the World. The city hosts over 2.9 million visitors and ranks as the 6th most visited city in the US. Many of the entertainment joints are located in downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Strip, just outside the city limits.
Las Vegas boasts a high-life scene like no other, from celebrity chefs to artist residencies at the top casino hotels and resorts, well-known venues that also received high scores by the TestCasinoEnLigne experts. Home to a gamut of big-name casinos such as the Fremont Hotel & Casino, Rampart Casino, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, 49ER, and the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. All of these prime casino venues have recorded some really big wins over the years, with lucky players going home with millions. Some of the biggest ones include:
- Ashley Revell won $270, 600 on roulette
- William Lee Bergstrom won $538,000 on craps
- Archie Karas won $40 million on poker
- Elmer Sherwin won $21.1 million on slots
- Kerry Packer won $40 million on blackjack
With the reputation the city has, casinos may be the main attraction, but these are certainly not all you get in Vegas. Concerts, magic shows from the best talents, comedy nights, and weekend sports events are other attractions to enjoy in the city.
Reno – Nevada
Reno is among the most impressive casino cities in the US and is even mentioned in the same breath as Las Vegas. The city manages to strike the perfect balance between the throbbing nightlife of the big city and the quaint calmness of a small country town. It is for this reason that Reno is nicknamed “The Biggest Little City in the World.” As the county seat and largest metropolitan area in Washoe County, Reno sits at the foothills of the High Eastern Sierra. The city is named in commemoration of Major General Jesse L. Reno, who died at Fox’s Gap fighting the Battle of South Mountain during the American Civil War.
Reno has always drawn in tourists and gambling enthusiasts from Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is home to famous casinos such as the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, the Grand Sierra Resort, the Gold Dust West Casino, Bonanza Casino, and Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Aside from the brilliant casinos in Reno, the city has many other fun activities for tourists and locals alike. Hot August Nights is a weeklong event celebrating classic cars while bikers get the Street Vibrations event, which holds some of the most epic motorcycle rallies. Visitors can also look forward to Artown, which is regarded as the biggest of all-encompassing art shows.
Palm Springs – California
Palm Springs is not known for its casinos but rather for the celebrities and famous people who need more of the place. Palm Springs is a desert resort city with an allure few can resist. The national parks, such as the vast Sequoia, are one reason tourists will find Palm Springs attractive. Located in Riverside County, California, Palm Springs covers 94 square miles. The resort city hosts some of the largest festivals, international events, and conventions, making tourism one of its major income sources.
Palm Springs is not known for its casinos, but it does offer the quality of entertainment you are sure to enjoy. The Agua Caliente Casino is among the first to grab your attention when you get to the city. As part of a larger group of casinos, the Agua Caliente at Palm Springs is a multi-functional complex with accommodation, hotel, and conference facilities. It is arguably the largest casino in Palm Springs. While visiting, others you will find attractive include Augustine Casino, Fantasy Springs, and Casino Morongo.
Tunica – Mississippi
Tunica is among the casino cities that may play second fiddle to other, more popular casino cities, but this is not to say that you will miss the action and excitement you are looking for. The city has forged a reputation for a thriving nightlife that combines well with the Southern hospitality you only find in Southern states, especially Mississippi. Tunica, in particular, is known for its casino economy, which has spurred a growth in population since 1990 when riverboat casinos started showing up in the Mississippi River. These have since moved into the Tunica Resorts community that extends to the DeSoto County line. From the old riverboat casinos, Tunica’s casino economy now sits closer to Memphis in the hope of attracting the larger residential population of the area.
Today, the area has over 18 casinos with all the world-class amenities you could ask for. Casino fans who visit Tunica for its casinos have establishments like the Horseshoe Tunica, the Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica, and the Gold Strike Casino Resort. One of the most attractive things about exploring the casinos in Tunica is that they are within walking distance of each other, which makes it much easier. Even though it may be a quiet town of 1,026, Tunica is not only about casinos; it also has the entertainment and nightlife for memorable fun times. There are a lot of featured events you can catch in Tunica, including concerts and even UFC broadcasts. Historical sites, boutique shops, and delightful bites are also some of the things to explore in Tunica.
Conclusion
Gambling, like many other adventures in life, is about excitement and the thrill of taking risks or testing your luck, and some players have hit it big at the casino, taking their chances. Fans of casino games can enjoy this experience at online casino sites too, but nothing beats the real thing when playing at brick-and-mortar casino establishments. If you are a holidaymaker who loves casinos enough to make the trip, consider going to one of these casino cities where you get to enjoy the experience just like you see it in the movies.
