Casinos and gambling have been integral to Las Vegas for many decades. The first casino, the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, opened downtown in 1906 and remarkably, remains open to this day. We’re no sticklers, so we’re bringing you a roundup of the 10 most famous casinos in Las Vegas. Ensure you know where to earn your money.
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Bellagio
The Bellagio has been seen as a symbol of luxury since the resort opened in 1998. The architects were inspired by the village of the same name in Italy, and the signature attraction of Bellagio is its dancing fountains.
The casino at the Bellagio caters to a more affluent clientele. Dice, roulette, and high-stakes blackjack are played on separate tables, and the slot machines at Bellagio also permit potential losses of tens of thousands.
Fun Facts About Bellagio Casino
The Bellagio fell victim to the star-studded cast including George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the first installment of Ocean’s Eleven.
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Caesars Palace
Built in the style of the Roman Empire, the complex has stood on the Strip since 1966 and has undergone several renovations since then. Worth noting is the Pure nightclub, one of the liveliest in downtown.
There are essentially two casinos at Caesars Palace, one for high-limit players, the other for the general public. One of the specialties of the casino is sports betting.
Fun Facts About Caesars Palace Casino
Remember the films The Hangover and The Hangover Part III with the popular misfit crew? The gang in both movies stayed overnight at Caesars Palace.
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Flamingo
The Flamingo opened in Vegas shortly after the end of World War II. The notorious gangster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel was behind the casino’s creation, partnering with a few other people. Some of them were also members of the underworld. Today, the Flamingo is located in the city center, but in 1946, it was positioned outside the city limits as city officials at the time wouldn’t grant the questionable Bugsy the necessary permits.
The Caribbean-style casino complex offers classics, hundreds of slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and more.
Fun Facts About the Flamingo Casino
Also worth noting is the origin of the name Flamingo. Gangster Bugsy named the complex in honor of his showgirl Virginia Hill, who had very long legs, almost as long as a flamingo’s.
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Golden Gate
At first glance, this perhaps unfamiliar hotel and casino is a Vegas legend. In fact, it was the very first one. Opened in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, it was renamed the Sal Sagev (try reading that backwards) upon the re-legalization of gambling in Vegas.
The name Golden Gate wasn’t acquired until 1955 when a group of Italian-American investors from the San Francisco area took over the complex. That’s probably where the Golden Gate’s 1930s San Francisco styling originates.
The Golden Gate Casino is not one of the largest in the city, but it does allow low-stakes gambling.
Fun Facts About Golden Gate Casino
The first telephone in Las Vegas was introduced to the hotel in 1907, the telephone number was “1”.
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Luxor
The distinctive feature of the 1993 Luxor complex is simple – the Sphinx and especially the 364 ft-high pyramid are among the largest hotels in Vegas with 4,400 rooms. The hotel’s style, echoing ancient Egypt, is clear from its name, with rooms and other amenities consistent with the theme.
The casino is one of the largest in Vegas, spanning over 11,150 m2. Notably, it has a gaming school where every day at noon you can play free craps, blackjack, or roulette, a way to educate future gamblers.
Fun Facts About Luxor Casino
The Luxor is said to be haunted. Three men died during the construction of the pyramid, and their ghosts are said to haunt the hotel’s long lobby. According to others, the Luxor is cursed and will remain cursed until the giant eye installed at the top of the pyramid is removed.
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Mandalay Bay
Mandalay Bay is one of the most renowned hotel complexes in the city, having opened its doors to the public on March 2, 1999. The hotel’s theme is Southeast Asia, with the name Mandalay Bay stemming from the second largest city in Burma.
The Mandalay Bay casino boasts approximately 2,400 slot machines and 120 gaming tables. The casino specializes in large screens with luxurious seats designed for sports and horse racing bettors.
Fun Facts about Mandalay Bay Casino
The air in Mandalay Bay is infused with the scent of coconuts, aiming to create a positive atmosphere for casino visitors and motivate them to spend. This tactic is common among many casinos.
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MGM Grand
The MGM Grand, with nearly 7,000 rooms and an African and Hollywood style, is the third largest hotel complex in the world and the largest in the USA, only surpassed by Las Vegas’s Venetian. It opened just before Christmas in 1993, when its design was still inspired by the fantasy novel The Wizard of Oz.
The casino at the MGM Grand holds the record for the world’s largest, with a staggering 3,700 machines. The casino space is divided into four separate gaming rooms, each with its unique theme.
Fun Facts about MGM Grand Casino
Upon the opening of the MGM, 39 armored vehicles transported quarters into the casino over two full days to provide change for the games.
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Mirage
Opened in 1989, the Mirage hotel complex was designed to mimic the style of French Polynesia. Prior to its opening, tourism in Las Vegas was in a slump. However, the Mirage played a pivotal role in reinvigorating it and setting a new benchmark for what a resort on the Strip should offer.
In the Mirage casino, visitors can enjoy a special variant of the card game – Free Bet Blackjack.
Fun Facts about Mirage Casino
The Mirage Hotel is known for its golden windows. The manufacturing process involved mixing particles of real gold into the glass.
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Park MGM (Formerly Monte Carlo)
A classic among the Strip’s hotels and casinos, the Monte Carlo embraced the style of the beloved Monaco resort. It opened in 1996 as the Grand Victoria. After facing complaints from MGM Grand management, the name was initially shortened to Victoria and subsequently changed to Monte Carlo.
The Monte Carlo Casino featured two thousand slot machines and numerous blackjack and roulette tables. It catered more to players interested in investing larger sums. However, the past tense is appropriate as the parent company of Monte Carlo underwent a rebranding in 2016. Today, it is known as Park MGM.
Fun Facts about Park MGM Casino
On the premises of the Park MGM resort is a Beerhaus that offers hundreds of different beers, approximately 120 of which are on tap.
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Venetian
Built in 1999, the Venetian hotel resort is modeled after the Italian city of Venice and includes classic canals. The complex also features a life-size replica of St. Mark’s bell tower in Venice.
The Casino Venetian is particularly striking with its Renaissance architecture and multiple frescoes. It hosts two and a half thousand slot machines, 115 gaming tables, and a dozen tables reserved for high stakes.
Fun Facts about the Venetian
Guests can pay to cruise the canal, a faithful replica of the one in Venice. The cafes, bridges, and singing gondoliers offer an experience reminiscent of Italy. From Monday to Wednesday, the price is $34 per person, while from Thursday to Sunday it costs $39.
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