Even if you’re not a serious gambler, casinos have a way of making an impression. Sometimes it’s the actual building. In some cases it’s the people. Other times it’s just the feeling that you’ve stepped into a different world for a couple of hours. Around the world, a handful of gaming halls have become places you visit as much for the atmosphere as for the games.
Some are dripping in history. Others are shiny, oversized, and modern. The best often blend both.
The Hippodrome Casino
The Hippodrome sits in London, and the building itself has been around since 1900, and it shows, in a good way. Before it was a casino, it was a music hall, then a cabaret venue, then a nightclub during the 1980s.
Despite being one of the most well-known casinos in Europe, it hasn’t lost its character. PokerStars LIVE runs on the third floor and brings in players from all over the world. Upstairs, there’s a rooftop bar with views of London, plus dining spaces that make it feel more like a night out than a traditional casino.
It’s busy, loud, and full of life. Very London.
Casino de Monte-Carlo
While the Hippodrome feels energetic and modern, Monte Carlo is its complete opposite. The Casino de Monte-Carlo is all about vintage glamour. Built in the 1850s, it still looks and feels like a place where rules and appearances matter.
You don’t walk in here by accident. There’s a dress code, there’s history in every room, and it feels like not much has changed in decades. Once you’re inside it’s easy to see why it’s been used as a setting for many films, including James Bond movies.
Even if you never place a bet, it’s worth visiting just to take it all in. The architecture, the atmosphere, the sheer confidence of the place.
The Venetian Macao
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a casino decides there’s no such thing as too big, The Venetian Macao is your answer. Opened in 2007, it’s the largest casino in the world.
There are gondola-filled canals, Venetian-style architecture, massive gaming floors, sections that feel like their own cities, and private clubs for high rollers.
On the gaming floor, not only will you find all your favourite slots games, but there are also hundreds of tables spread across different areas, which keeps the place from feeling overwhelming.
Bellagio
Las Vegas doesn’t do subtle. For many years, Bellagio has been one of the most well-known casinos in the world. Poker players know it for its high-limit rooms and major tournaments, while everyone else probably knows it from films or photos of the fountains out front.
Inside, the casino floor is big without feeling chaotic. There are thousands of slot machines, table games everywhere, and a steady hum that never really seems to die down. Outside, the fountains pull in crowds night after night.
It’s classic Vegas, but a bit more polished.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods is more about scale than spectacle. Located in Connecticut, it’s one of the biggest casino resorts in North America and feels more like a small town than just a venue.
What started as a bingo hall has grown into a huge complex with multiple casinos, hotels, golf courses, cinemas, and restaurants. The gaming areas feature thousands of slot machines, hundreds of tables, and one of the biggest bingo halls you’re ever likely to see.
People come here for a long weekend and just don’t want to ever leave.
Why These Places Stand Out
The best gaming halls offer more than just gaming. They’re about mood, history, and location. Monte Carlo feels timeless. Las Vegas feels bold. Macau feels almost unreal in its size.
You don’t have to be a big spender to enjoy them. Sometimes just walking the floor and grabbing a drink is enough. In many ways, that’s what makes these casinos worth visiting.
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