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Las Vegas > Casinos
Gambling was legalized in Las Vegas in 1931, but large-scale construction of casinos did not begin until after World War 2, and for many years they were dominated by individual property holders, often with Mafia connections. In recent times, the businesses have been taken over by big conglomerates, many of the older places have been knocked down to make way for huge showy entertainment complexes aimed at attracting the whole family, and rate of development shows no signs of decreasing.
Recent demolitions include Boardwalk in 2006, Stardust in March 2007 and New Frontier in November 2007. There are four massive construction projects underway, not counting the many extensions to existing properties - largest of the new builds is the CityCenter Resort between Bellagio and Monte Carlo, a collection of hotels, residences, shops and convention space that has an incredible budget of $11 billion; most opened December 2009, and the project will be completed in 2010. The others are the 2,200 room Cosmopolitan Resort (next to the CityCenter), 5,000 room Echelon (behind Circus Circus, though the project is currently on hold) and 3,800 room Fontainebleau - set to contain one of the tallest buildings in town, at 63 storeys, however this too is stalled, due to unfavorable economic conditions.
A summary of the major casinos along Las Vegas Boulevard is given below.
For a selection of more traditional accommodation away from The Strip, see the Las Vegas hotels listings and hotels map.
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Las Vegas Casino Map - The Strip
Click each casino for more details |
Las Vegas Strip Hotel Listings
The casinos are arranged by AAA hotel rating, and hence also in order of average room rates.
Click on each casino for more details, photographs and hotel reservations.
|
Year
Open |
Rooms |
Floors |
|
| AAA Five Diamond |
| Bellagio |
1998 |
3,993 |
36 |
Luxurious, upmarket resort with an Italian theme. An extravagant display of moving water fountains takes place in a 9 acre lake outside, while the interior, set far back from the street, is lavishly decorated and includes sculptures, plants and trees, and extensive use of natural light illumination |
| The Palazzo |
2007 |
3,068 |
53 |
Companion to The Venetian next door, The Palazzo is an all-suite, high class hotel with modern European style and decor |
| The Venetian |
1999 |
4,049 |
40 |
Constructed on land that used to be home to The Sands, The Venetian offers a truly luxurious experience, with top quality accommodation, dining, shopping, gaming, nightlife and entertainment. Familiar landmarks of Venice are recreated including St. Marks Tower and Rialto Bridge; inside, gondolas cruise along a system of canals past the shops and restaurants |
| Wynn Encore |
2009 |
2,034 |
54 |
Sister hotel to Wynn Las Vegas, Encore offers similarly high-end accommodation in over 2,000 modern suites |
| Wynn Las Vegas |
2005 |
2,716 |
50 |
The huge, curving, glass-fronted tower of Wynn Las Vegas dominates the north end of the Strip, catering to the top end of the market. The many facilities include an 18 hole golf course |
| AAA Four Diamond |
| Caesars Palace |
1966 |
3,348 |
35 |
One of the most well-known Las Vegas casinos, Caesars features a lavish recreation of Roman life and decor although the exterior is quite restrained and elegant, and covers a large distance along the Strip |
| Mandalay Bay |
1999 |
4,332 |
39 |
The southernmost casino on the Strip, close to Las Vegas International Airport, is a huge resort with a South Sea Island theme, and it offers every conceivable facility including 1.7 million sq ft of event space |
| MGM Grand |
1993 |
5,044 |
30 |
Long considered the largest hotel in the world (until overtaken by the Venetian/Palazzo), MGM Grand is one of the landmarks of Las Vegas; attractively clad in emerald green glass, the hotel is part of a massive complex offering many high quality facilities |
| The Mirage |
1989 |
3,044 |
30 |
A well-known Las Vegas landmark, The Mirage is built in a distinctive Y-shape and features a frequently erupting volcano outside, with waterfalls and tropical island scenery |
| Monte Carlo |
1996 |
3,002 |
32 |
Monte Carlo provides European style and service at mid range prices; the main building is a large, elegant white tower |
| Paris Las Vegas |
1999 |
2,915 |
34 |
This attractive, medium-sized (for Las Vegas), Parisian-themed complex greets guests with a colorful replica of the Montgolfier balloon, close to the Arc de Triomphe, while the Eiffel Tower looms overhead |
| Planet Hollywood |
2007 |
2,600 |
38 |
Formerly the Aladdin casino, the new Planet Hollywood hotel has a lively, hip, modern atmosphere, with themes of film stars and celebrity |
| Treasure Island |
1993 |
2,885 |
36 |
'TI' is a mid range, family-oriented hotel, notable for the free Sirens of TI show staged each evening on a pirate set in front of the hotel, featuring a duel between a pirate ship and a group of attractive maidens |
| AAA Three Diamond |
| Bally's |
1973 |
2,814 |
26 |
Bally's provides a traditional Las Vegas experience, offering good quality lodging, gambling, dining and live entertainment |
| Excalibur |
1990 |
3,991 |
28 |
A vast, castle-like complex with an Arthurian knight theme, Excalibur is centered on several eye-catching towers which are colorfully lit up at night |
| Flamingo |
1946 |
3,626 |
28 |
Flamingo is the oldest surviving casino on the Strip, offering guests and gamblers a south Floridian experience with a good range of facilities including a 15 acre tropical garden |
| Harrah's |
1973 |
2,677 |
35 |
This popular, mid range, mid price property has a party-carnival motif, and offers all the expected facilities |
| Luxor |
1993 |
4,408 |
30 |
Luxor, the fourth largest hotel in the world, features a large black pyramid topped by a searchlight beaming several miles into the sky; entrance is through a replica of the Sphinx |
| New York-New York |
1997 |
2,023 |
47 |
This modern, vibrant hotel features a replica of the Manhattan skyline including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Grand Central Station, with a 67 mph rollercoaster snaking around the outside |
| Riviera |
1955 |
2,100 |
23 |
Occupying a relatively small site near the north end of the Strip, 'The Riv' appeals more to traditional gamblers, reflecting its long history as one of the select group of casinos frequented by the Rat Pack |
| AAA Two Diamond |
| Circus Circus |
1968 |
3,773 |
35 |
Circus Circus is an older hotel, though still popular; family entertainment centers on an indoor amusement park with a rollercoaster, plus traditional circus acts performing each night in a large amphitheater. |
| Sahara |
1952 |
1,720 |
27 |
Unlike most of the famous old casinos that have been blown up to make room for more modern resorts, Sahara is still open for business, and a recent ownership change looks set to safeguard its future by funding a major renovation |
| Stratosphere |
1996 |
2,444 |
24 |
At the north end of the Strip, this casino is most famous for its 1,149 foot tower - the highest point in Las Vegas, with a revolving restaurant, a marriage chapel and three open air rollercoasters at the very top |
| Tropicana |
1957 |
1,878 |
22 |
Near the south end of the Strip, Tropicana Resort has been open for business for over 60 years, and is a good choice for traditional Las Vegas entertainment |
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