Updated by Lynsey Thompson
Writer
Fact Checked by Michael Graham
Content Editor
In my opinion, nothing beats a night at the casino. The lights, the luxury, the atmosphere, meeting fellow players – there’s something really special about traditional casino venues that simply cannot be recreated online.
While you can't overlook the convenience and fun of gambling at online casinos, nothing truly compares to the experience of playing at a land-based casino.
I travel a lot, and wherever I am in the world, I'm always looking for casinos near me where I can spend some quality time. Of course, since it's part of my job, I document these experiences, and now I have created this page to share them with you. Below you'll find a list of brick and mortar casinos I've visited with links to the reviews I created for each one.
Have a peek at my list of traditional casinos I've recently visited. I'll keep adding to this list as I visit more places, so come back from time to time to check my reviews!
Also known as brick-and-mortar casinos, land-based casinos are physical casino premises. The term is used to differentiate between casino venues and their online counterparts. These gambling locations will hold a license to provide slot machines and table games like roulette, blackjack, poker, baccarat, craps, and Sic Bo.
The first gambling house was located in Italy. Constructed in the 1630s, the Ridotto offered controlled gaming during the carnival season. Since then, the popularity of land-based casinos has spread worldwide, with countries far and wide opening their own brick-and-mortar gaming establishments.
Do the likes of Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City ring a bell? These locations have emerged as some of the world’s leading hotspots for land based casinos. However, with thousands of casino resorts spread around the globe, you can find renowned gambling venues in Italy, Malta, Macau, Germany, Singapore, the US, and more.
Land-based casinos have come a long way since their early days. Now, alongside slot machines and gambling games, most venues offer other amenities to attract prospective players. These include hotels, bars, restaurants, entertainment, and even sportsbooks.
While land-based casinos were the original home for classic slot machines and table games, they have since skyrocketed in popularity online. But which casino format is best when playing for real money? Sure, both provide plenty of advantages, but are real money online casinos all they’re cracked up to be, or will the land-based gambling format remain the best? Let’s examine how both measure up:
TRIVIA: Fan of James Bond? Well, sadly, there is no real Casino Royale as described in novel and film. The casino is fictional, as is the French seaside resort of Royale-les-Eaux where author Ian Fleming placed this land based destination. There is, though, a Casino Royale on the Las Vegas Strip, but it is the smallest by far and certainly nowhere near as grand as the fictional version.
Sure, gambling at land-based casinos comes with tons of advantages. However, there are still negatives you should consider. Here are some pros and cons to bear in mind when it comes to local casinos:
Land-Based Casino Pros:
Land-Based Casino Cons:
When it comes to land-based casinos, a few elements set them apart from their online counterparts. The most obvious is that you can see and touch the games and casino equipment. This hands-on experience is one of the reasons why local casinos continue to be popular with players all over the world.
Gambling in a traditional casino is much different from playing using the best online casino apps. With so much to discover, from immersive slot machines to table games full of live action, knowing where to start can be challenging. That’s why I've compiled a list of top tips to help you make the most of your brick-and-mortar casino experience:
Firstly, you should always gamble responsibly, no matter if you sit at a table in a traditional casino or play casino games online. It’s easy to get carried away with the adrenaline rush that real money betting can cause. Yet, by controlling your gambling habits, you can help your bankroll last a little longer. Check out my top responsible gambling tips below:
Land-based casinos can be confusing places for first-time visitors. Full of bright lights, noise, and plenty of players who seem to know exactly what they’re doing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Before you head to your local casino, here are some tips for adhering to land-based casino rules:
Traditional table games are top-rated at land-based casinos for their social aspect and popularity but don’t be afraid to explore your options. With plenty of gambling games to try, you’ll never find a dull moment when gambling in person. Let’s take a closer look at your options:
Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player. As well as significant experience as a writer in the iGaming and gambling industries as an expert reviewer and journalist, Lynsey is one half of the popular Las Vegas YouTube Channel and Podcast 'Begas Vaby’. When she is not in Las Vegas or wishing she was in Las Vegas, Lynsey can usually be found pursuing her other two main interests of sports and theatre.
Read Full BioTraditional or land based casinos offer a different experience than the one you get when gambling online. Some people find that the more tangible entertainment, as well as the social interaction with other players, plus the use of additional amenities contribute to a more fulfilling experience.
Before online casinos were invented, people used to gamble in proper brick and mortar casinos. These physical real life establishments offer a selection of table games with live dealers (such as roulette, blackjack, poker and craps) as well as slot machines.
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