While these brick and mortar venues provide an exhilarating and sophisticated space to not only play an array of casino games but also to socialise and enjoy the ambience of gambling in an exciting environment, there are some downsides compared to playing online.
If you’re into gambling chances are you’ve stepped foot into a real life casino once or twice, but if not this article will give you a rundown of what land based casinos have to offer.
What to expect when playing in a land based casino
Land based casinos are refined places, created with the intention of providing visitors with a classy experience where they can enjoy all kinds of amenities under the one roof. Casinos typically feature not only multiple gaming floors but also numerous bars, restaurants, night clubs and often hotel facilities.
If gambling isn’t your thing you can still enter a brick and mortar casino without having to play any of the games – you can simply have a drink while supporting your friends at the gaming tables or circulate the bars and restaurants, but the gaming really is the main draw card. When playing at a land based casino you can expect the following:
Dress codes – casino operators enforce strict dress codes to ensure that their venues remain sophisticated and classy establishments. This doesn’t mean you have to adorn cocktail attire or elaborate evening wear, simply neat and tidy dress at all times. Casinos may have stipulations regarding certain footwear, exposed tattoos or workwear. To avoid any disappointment once you reach the venue, it always pays to check the dress code of the casino on their website before you head out.
Game options – land based casinos typically offer a selection of slot machines along with table games that commonly include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and a range of poker games. It’s not uncommon to find whole areas in the casino dedicated exclusively to various forms of poker. Some casinos now offer electronic games like rapid roulette which are somewhat similar to playing online but within the real casino atmosphere.
Wagering requirements – the minimum and maximum betting limits available at a land based casino totally depend on the game at hand as well as the venue – wagering restrictions are not the same across the board. All games are played with the use of betting chips, which usually start from a value of around a couple of dollars and can go as high as a few thousand dollars. The lowest table game will usually have a buy-in of around $5-$10, while high-rollers can enjoy higher betting limits in the VIP rooms.
Additional services – on top of the gaming floors and drinking and dining options, land based casinos offer comprehensive services like car parking, valet services, coat checks, loyalty programs and all kinds of promotional offers. In come casinos (namely casinos in the USA) players also enjoy complimentary beverages while they play.
World renowned land based casinos
You’ll find land based casinos all over the world, but some countries and regions in particular are well known as hot spots for real life gambling. Below is an overview of some of the most famous land based casinos in places where casino gambling is popular:
USA – The Bellagio, The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, Bally’s, MGM Grand Casino, Caesars Palace, Aria Resort & Casino, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Trump Taj Mahal, Harrah’s Resort, Foxwoods Casino, The Mirage, Red Rock Casino, Wynn’s Encore Resort & Casino.
Asia – Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa, City of Dreams, Galaxy Macau, Wynn Macau, Casino Lisboa, Casino Royale Nepal, Resorts World Genting, MGM Grand Macau, Grandview Casino, Grand Lapa Hotel & Casino.
Australia & New Zealand – Crown Casino Melbourne, The Star Sydney, Adelaide Casino, Crown Casino Perth, Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast, The Treasury Casino Brisbane, Wrest Point Casino Tasmania, Christchurch Casino, SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Queenstown.
Europe & UK – Casino de Monte Carlo, Casino Baden-Baden, Aspinalls London, Casino Estoril, Maxims Casino, The Casino di Venezia, Casino at The Empire, Casino Cosmpol, Gala Casinos, Grosvenor Casinos, Casino Helsinki.
Benefits of playing at an online venue over a land based casino
If what you’re looking for is elegance and ambience with a hum of collective excitement in the air, then a land based casino is the place for you. But if you’re just an avid or recreational gamer who wants to enjoy the excitement of real money casino games without the fuss of playing in real life, online play offers a heap of benefits like:
- There are more lenient betting options when playing online, with minimum bets more suited to players with smaller bank rolls as well as max bets that will keep the high rollers happy.
- There is no dress code to worry about; you can play in a ball gown, a business suit, your pyjamas or completely naked if you so desire.
- Online play is easier on your wallet as you don’t need to fork out for extra expenses like drinks, parking or transport.
- Although many land based casinos are open 24 hours a day, it’s no match for the convenience of online casinos which literally never close and can be accessed within minutes.
- Online casinos fully support responsible gambling practices, allowing players to set themselves daily time or money limits so that you can’t possibly bite off more than you can chew.
- There is much greater game variety online, allowing players to choose games with better odds and lower house edges rather than just whatever the land based casino is limited to.
