Alternatives To Las Vegas
Las Vegas is renowned for its extravagant casinos and wild nightlife, and it invariably tops the list of destinations for those looking to gamble the night away. However, there are a number of other unique options which make great alternatives to ‘Sin City’.
Macau
Situated on China’s Southern coast, just a short boat ride from Hong Kong, the former Portuguese colony of Macau is Asia’s gambling capital, and arguably the world’s, with its annual gambling revenue totaling five times that of Las Vegas’.
Home to myriad hotels and casinos including the spectacular Grand Lisboa, and the vast, Venetian, as well as an array of world-class restaurants: Macau matches Vegas in almost every department, and, in contrast to its Western rival, also boasts a historic, UNESCO, World Heritage-Accredited old town, comprising beautiful Chinese and Portuguese colonial architecture.
Casino Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo’s picturesque elegance is a world away from Sin City, and it makes a great alternative for those seeking a more reserved atmosphere.
There are 4 large casinos in the city, the most famous of which is the Casino Monte-Carlo, a beautiful 19th-century building designed by the architect responsible for Paris’ iconic Opera House. It has featured in several Bond movies and offers an array of gaming options, including, French Roulette, Baccarat, Black Jack and Texas Hold’em Poker, in a truly spectacular setting.
In addition, the city boasts a wealth of excellent hotels, bars and restaurants, along with spectacular views over the French Riviera.
Paradise Island
Nassau, Bahamas
The Bahamas not only boasts paradisiacal beaches, crystal-clear waters filled with tropical fish, and an array of luxurious hotels, but the vibrant capital Nassau is also home to a number of excellent casinos.
Atlantis Casino, on the Paradise Island Resort, offers over 700 slots and 85 table games, including outdoor-pool side games, whilst the Baha Mar Casino - the largest in the Caribbean, at over 100,000 sq ft - boasts an array of table games, slot machines and private gaming rooms, as well as floor to ceiling windows which provide breathtaking views over the white sands of Cable Beach, and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Maxims Casino, London.
London
Although not renowned as a gaming city, London is home to 24 casinos, ranging from large-scale operations such as The Hard Rock Casino - which boasts an 18,000 ft gaming floor - to the more intimate, like the effortlessly classy Maxims which dates back to 1862.
Although London may not match Vegas when it comes to choice of gaming-establishments, it eclipses its rival away from the casino floor, home a seemingly boundless array of attractions, which make it a great alternative for those looking to combine gambling, with site-seeing.
Gardens by the bay Singapore
Singapore
Singapore’s diversity of cultures, environmentally-friendly outlook and cutting edge design makes it one of Asia’s most exciting destinations, and it is also home to a burgeoning gaming scene.
Their first casino only opened a decade ago, and today they number just two, though they make up for this in their quality: offering an array of gaming options, unrivalled service, and spectacular location in the ultra-modern Marina Bay Sands district, which boasts an array of luxury hotels, restaurants and stunning waterside gardens.
In addition, Aegean Paradise, a large cruise liner, has a casino on board, and offers daily trips along the Island’s coast.
New Orleans
New Orleans
New Orleans is a magical city, renowned for its blend of cultures, vibrant nightlife and unique architecture, as well as the annual Mardi Gras, one of the world’s most famed street carnivals.
Although the city only has one permanent casino: Harrahs - home to a 115,000 sq ft, gaming floor with over 2000 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, and a poker room - there are several, riverboat based casinos in the city, which offer cruises down the Mississippi river, a unique experience that you certainly won't find in Vegas.
