For most people, travel has been sorely restricted over the previous year. The Covid pandemic that continues to infringe on everyday life has put a huge dent in the tourism industry.
In 2019 there were 1.5 billion tourists globally but that number dropped by 65% just in the first half of 2020 and has continued to plummet ever since.
Now that the various vaccines are being rolled out and administered there is renewed optimism that normality will start to return and with that, some people will naturally turn their thoughts to travel and vacations.
Gambling is something that many people enjoy and it just so happens that some of the best casinos are in the most glamorous and exotic locations. This makes combining your vacation with a casino stay an ideal way to resume your travel with a touch of style.
The oldest casino in the world
For many, Venice means romantic gondola rides, the Grand Canale, St Mark’s Basilica, and seafood risotto, but, it is also home to the oldest casino in the world.
Casino di Venezia was opened way back in 1638 and is situated on the Grand Canale. It was originally part of a Theatre and to this day still retains many of its original features including chandeliers and ornate decorations.
There is a restaurant serving classical Italian fare and a museum here to honor the great composer, Wagner, who often stayed here during his life. If you need a little more glamor then remember Venice is where parts of Casino Royale were filmed.
Gambling in Macau
While on the subject of James Bond, you might want to consider Macau if a gambling holiday is in your thoughts. Macau is one of the biggest destinations for casino lovers and you will be spoilt for choice.
As of 2019, there were over 40 casinos in Macau but a few stand out a little more than the others. One, in particular, The Venetian Macau is hard to ignore.
Over 3000 suites and 550,000 ft of gaming space for kaszinó lovers and holiday makers alike. There are retail units and entertainment of course, as well as convention halls and restaurants. Guests can dine on Korean, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Portuguese, and other cuisines from around the world before or after hitting the gaming floor.
Inside the casino, there are all the games that a visitor could want including 3 card poker, baccarat, sic bo, roulette, blackjack, and well over 3,000 slot machines.
Go big in Malaysia or go home
While The Venetian Macau can lay claim to being one of the biggest casinos in the world and a truly glamorous one at that. There is another, bigger, casino hotel.
Holidaymakers and gamblers can leave the humidity and pollution of Kuala Lumpur and travel north to the Genting Highlands where 6,000 feet above sea level there are over 200,000 sq ft of gaming space waiting for them.
The Genting Highlands Casino is one of the biggest casinos in the world but what sets it apart is the hotel attached to it. Apart from being the only legal land-based casino in Malaysia it also has the biggest hotel in the world.
The First World Hotel has more than 7,300 rooms and holds the Guinness Book of Records’ largest hotel entry. It is said that after the hotel lost its record to The Venetian Resort Las Vegas the owners decided to make an expansion to regain their record.
Try a riverboat in Goa
If Southern Asia is more your cup of tea then perhaps Goa might be your destination.
India has strict gambling laws that were brought in by the British in 1867. However, various states view the Public Gaming Act in different ways. One thing that generally holds true is that live gaming tables are illegal except in certain conditions and one of those is that they are allowed on floating casinos.
While Goa has started to allow onshore casinos, for many the most fun is still to be had on the river cruises. The Deltin Royale has 40,000 sq ft of gaming space over 5 floors and incorporates entertainment and a multi-cuisine restaurant too.
There are VIP gaming suites where guests can play and stay, and also a dedicated poker room. This allows real poker players to enjoy their night without distractions or noise from the slots and other table games.
The glamor of Monte Carlo
It would be impossible to make a list of casinos without including Monte Carlo although there are many other things to do in this glamorous location.
This is one of a few places where the residents are not allowed to gamble themselves. Monaco was in dire straits back in the late 1800s so the Prince of Monaco came up with a plan to help the economy and get the principality back to strength.
By turning Monte Carlo into a Mecca for casino lovers the Prince successfully turned the economy around so much that taxes were abolished for his citizens. However, to make sure that his efforts were not in vain, all the residents were banned from playing in the casinos. Luckily this doesn’t apply to you and today you can visit the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Online casinos
If you find that your travel remains restricted over the foreseeable future or you prefer to stay home then you can always indulge in casino games online.
The popularity of internet casinos and sportsbooks has risen massively due to the very same pandemic that closed and hampered the traditional casinos.
Online casinos offer every game that a traditional casino can and some more. By choosing a reputable online gambling site you can enjoy slots, poker, roulette, sports betting, and more. And, if your partner prefers to have a beach holiday to a casino one then you can still enjoy your favorite games while vacationing overseas.
Summary
These are but a few of the resorts you could visit in 2021 if restrictions are lifted. There are many more glamorous locations including Sun City in South Africa and enjoy a safari before hitting the poker tables. If sea & sand is more your thing on a vacation then try Atlantis Resort & Casino on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
Wherever your post-pandemic getaway takes you, remember, casinos are supposed to be fun. Only gamble with what you can afford to lose, but with a bit of luck, it will be a winning vacation.
