Casinos in Las Vegas
Sure - you can find a casino in most North American cities - but if you want a real casino experience, you need to go to Las Vegas. Vegas is the casino (and entertainment) capital of the world, with 1701 licensed gambling establishments, 197,144 slot machines and 36.7 million visitors annually. Most of the excitement takes place on the Las Vegas strip, a 4 mile section of Las Vegas Blvd S. The Strip is the home to the largest and most magnificent casinos in the world, all of them decorated with bright lights, lots of colour and vibrant themes, making it a prime destination for tourists. While all of the casinos in Vegas are sights worth seeing, there are a few that stand above the rest. Here's a brief introduction to three world-famous Vegas casinos.
Caesar's Palace
Located right on the strip at 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S., Caesar's Palace is hard to miss. This huge casino and hotel features a gaming area of around 166,000 sq ft and 9 restaurants. Ceasar's requires a staff of 85,000 to keep it running smoothly and brings in annual revenues of over $7 billion US. This world renowned landmark has been hosted various awards shows, has been featured in many a film, and is considered to be a true Las Vegas icon. Caesar's Palace is also the home to two permanent, wildly popular shows: The Show Must Go On, featuring Better Midler, and The Red Piano with Elton John, as well as Pure, a vibrant night club that spans 36,000 sq ft. Since its opening in 1966, Caesar's has been constantly expanding. New rooms, entertainment centres, extensions and casino games are constantly being added and refined, ensuring that no two trips to Caesar's will be exactly the same. Caesar's Palace is much more than a casino - it is a complete sensory experience, and one that you truly have to see for yourself.
The Bellagio
The Bellagio, neighbour to Caesar's Palace's, is arguably the world's most luxurious hotel and casino. This AAA five-diamond establishment is praised for its elegance and features a breathtaking 8-acre, man-made lake encasing the Fountains of Bellagio - a large dancing fountain synchronized to songs by Las Vegas icons such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Pressley and Celine Dion. This sight alone makes the trip to the Bellagio worthwhile! Inside the casino, guests can expect to be treated to world class service, outstanding décor (featuring the Fiori di Como, a 2000 sq ft fixture in the lobby, comprised of over 2,000 glass flowers), and epicurean delights at one of Bellagio's 9 restaurants. The Bellagio has over 116,000 sq ft of casino space and employs over 10,000. It is prominently featured in the 2006 film Ocean's Eleven and the 2007 sequel, Ocean's Thirteen. The Bellagio is considered a world class gambling establishment, frequently drawing in numerous high-end betters and hosting a number of poker and gambling tournaments.
The Luxor
Easily the most identifiable landmark on the Las Vegas strip, the Luxor hotel and casino is a stunning, 30-storey black glass pyramid, featuring a massive recreation of the Sphinx of Giza on its grounds. The Luxor is considered an achievement in modern archetectiure, and is featured in many books, television shows and films. Opening in 1993 and costing over $325 million USD to construct, the Luxor is a must see. Its 120,000 sq ft casino, two world class restaurants, IMAX theatre and LAX nightclub make the Luxor a popular tourist attraction. Because it is connected to free trams and various shuttles, the Luxor is a bit of a transportation hub, making it easy to take in more than one casino in a day.
The Luxor is home to Carrot Top's Fantasy show and is frequently featured in Criss Angel's Mindfreak series, who is also a resident of the establishment. The Luxor has also hosted the popular Blue Man Group as well as various awards shows and tournaments.
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