15 Best Casinos in Las Vegas

The Venetian is a little slice of Italy in the middle of Las Vegas where you can glide down the Grand Canal in a gondola. Under the casino's majestic hand-painted frescoes you can play baccarat, blackjack, craps or roulette, or play a hand in the sophisticated poker room. There are also more than 1,000 varied slot machines and a sportsbook that offers mobile betting.

The Venetian is renowned for its luxury shopping, with hundreds of upmarket brands lining the cobblestone walkways. The entertainment options are endless, from immersive virtual reality adventures to a branch of Madame Tussauds with waxworks of Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus. Also popular is the replica of St Mark's Square, complete with the Rialto Bridge and the Doge's Palace.

MGM Grand has some pretty swanky table games and a colourful array of slot machines, but if you want to try something a bit different, head for LEVEL UP. This arcade is filled with classic pub games like table football and air hockey, an arm-wrestling table, and an oversized version of Pac-Man. There's also a good range of virtual reality games where you can fight killer robots or solve fantastical puzzles.

For something more outdoorsy, practise your swing at Topgolf, a high-tech driving range, or take a dip in the whirlpools at the Wet Republic. Visit the Losers Bar afterwards for live country music performances, or try rare whiskies and handcrafted cocktails at Centrifuge and Whiskey Down.

The sportsbook at Caesars Palace is one of the best in Vegas, with 143-ft HD screens and reclining leather seats for a cinematic experience. Horse racing is a favourite here and there's a special racing book featuring 65 private booths and live races from across the country. According to Caesars, their slots floor has seen more million-dollar jackpot wins than any other casino.

When you get tired of gambling, grab your dancing shoes and head for the chic rooftop of the Omnia mega club. You can also eat aged porterhouse at Old Homestead Steakhouse, admire LED-screen views of skylines around the world in Vista Cocktail Lounge, or listen to live music on the delightfully kitsch Cleopatra's Barge.

The Strat is an 80,000-sq-ft casino with 44 gaming tables and a whole host of high-energy slot machines, from 3-reel to video and poker. Have fun with the low stakes penny machines or go big on the $25 machines. Spend your winnings on gaudy souvenirs at Las Vegas Gift Shop, or grab an ice cream or decadent treat from 108 Eats.

Soaring 1,149 ft above the city, The Strat's observation platform gives you unparalleled views of the Vegas Valley. Exhilarating rides will swing you out into thin air at the top or shoot you up and down the side of the tower. You can also enjoy the 360° vistas at a more leisurely pace in the revolving restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Bellagio's is a major stop on the World Poker Tour that features 40 poker tables of Hold 'Em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha 8 and mixed games, plus 2 high-limit areas. The most exclusive of these is Bobby's Room, an opulent private area with a minimum $20,000 buy-in. If poker's not your game, the Bellagio's blackjack, baccarat, craps and roulette tables are also popular.

Other reasons to visit include the Bellagio's Gallery of Fine Art, which works with galleries around the world to host exhibitions on Picasso, Fabergé and Warhol, as well as evening entertainment by the acclaimed Cirque du Soleil. Look out for the building's stunning architectural features, especially the thousands of hand-blown glass flowers that adorn the lobby.

The Luxor Hotel and Casino occupies a sizeable plot on the Las Vegas Strip. This MGM resort features a casino that boasts 2,000 machines and 87 tables. Thanks to its unique pyramid-shaped design, the windows in some of its rooms slant.

The hotel also draws visitors for its wide range of entertainment, including performance art from Blue Man Group, an exhibition on the Titanic and a show featuring acts from America’s Got Talent. On a clear night, a vertical light called the Luxor Sky Beam is powerful enough to be seen by aircraft flying over Los Angeles, more than 250 miles away.

The Mirage is a large casino hotel with over 3,000 rooms in Las Vegas. Wealthy developer Steve Wynn built it and MGM Resorts owns and manages the property. It features a huge tropical pool area, an adults-only area called Bare where toplessness is permitted, numerous restaurants, and of course, an impressive casino.

One of its most unique features is an artificial volcano, visible from the Las Vegas Strip, which “erupts” every evening. Another crowd-pleaser is Cirque du Soleil’s Love, a Beatles-inspired show featuring jaw-dropping circus acts.

Head out to Red Rock Casino when you think you've had enough of the hectic Vegas atmosphere. Located at the edge of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the casino is surrounded by acres of open space. Sip on a craft cocktail by their palm-shaded pool or enjoy premium steaks and handmade pasta at T-Bones Chophouse and Osteria Fiorella.

Slots are a major focus here, with 2,700 slot machines covering casino classics and fun themes, plus a dedicated high-limit slots lounge. The sportsbook includes a 96-ft viewing wall with the latest games and 200 personal televisions where you can watch everything from football to horse racing. There's also a bowling alley, bingo hall, and 16-screen IMAX cinema.

Mandalay Bay has an entire beach while other casinos merely have swimming pools. Its 11-acre aquatic playground is surrounded by 2,700 tons of real sand and comes with a lagoon, wave pool, and lazy river – not to mention a shark tunnel where you can spot sharks, stingrays and endangered green turtles. During the summer, headlining artists perform on the enormous poolside stage.

The casino has a decent selection of table games, including an energetic craps table, and fun slots like The Goonies and Cleopatra Pinball. This isn't the place for serious, high-stakes players – the emphasis at Mandalay Bay is on fun and entertainment.

New York-New York Hotel and Casino is a taste of the Big Apple in Las Vegas. This casino is one of the main attractions on the Las Vegas Strip for its ⅓-scale replica of the New York City skyline, Statue of Liberty, and full-sized (and functional) roller coaster inside the casino.

New York-New York attracts sports fans from around the globe to its famous Sporting House, a bar and restaurant decked out with American sports memorabilia where diners can enjoy all the games on massive screens. This casino is also known for its nightlife. There are more than 10 bars, clubs, and pubs to check out.

Planet Hollywood has some of the best shows in Vegas, appropriately for a casino named after Tinsel Town, with past headliners including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani. It's also home to elaborate magic shows, dramatic burlesque dancers, and a spectacular choreographed light show. Dining-wise, you can enjoy gourmet burgers in Gordon Ramsay's restaurant or creative modern Asian dishes at PF Chang's.

The snazzy casino attracts a young, party-going crowd to its 90 gaming tables and almost 3,000 slots. Dealers are dressed in skimpy outfits or lacy lingerie, with go-go dancers entertaining you while you gamble in the Pleasure Pit. Film memorabilia is on display around the casino to enhance the Hollywood-style glamour.

Treasure Island is a casino on the Las Vegas strip that gained fame for its full-size pirate ship and sapphire-blue bay on the premises. The pirate ship is no more, but guests can still enjoy Caribbean-themed fun at Treasure Island’s themed bars and shows. Enjoy old-timey fun at Gilley’s saloon or a modern cocktail-filled romp at Señor Frogs. Guests can also take a dip in the bay at Treasure Island Pool and Cabanas.

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe won’t want to miss Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N., an immersive Marvel exhibit at Treasure Island. Fans can explore and interact inside Avengers headquarters and learn more about their favourite heroes.

Aria's cool, modern feel makes it a haven among the loud, garish resorts of Las Vegas. The beautifully designed casino covers the usual table games, plus mini-baccarat, European roulette and blackjack switch. The slot floor is constantly adding new machines, including a Walking Dead-themed game and Wheel of Fortune 3D.

Aria has a compelling Fine Art Collection, with sculptures and installations by acclaimed international artists, but it's the incredible interiors that really wow visitors, from the reclaimed silver sculpture of a flowing river to the colourful butterflies decorating the ceiling. Dine at chef Mario Carbone's glamorous mid-century Italian American restaurant Carbone or try trendy Asian-influenced seafood at Catch.

Golden Nugget goes all-out on the ostentatious glamour, from its glittery facade to the contemporary black and gold interior. The casino has a good range of table games, with lots of interesting poker variants like Let It Ride and Mississippi Stud. Slot machines start low and include favourites like Buffalo Grand, Top Dollar and Wheel of Fortune.

The casino's most beloved attraction is the enormous complex of pools and waterfalls, which features a 200,000-gallon shark aquarium. Have a drink in the Ice Bar for a welcoming respite from the Nevada heat with excellent martinis and a view of the shark tank. The 'Hand of Faith', a 61-lb nugget of gold to match the casino's name, is displayed in the lobby.

Four Queens is a hotel and casino that opened in 1966 in the heart of old Las Vegas. Its prime location on Fremont Street (the most famous street in Vegas after The Strip), makes it a great spot to take in the ‘Fremont Street Experience’. Various street performances, live music, and even zip-lining can be viewed from here.

Inside the casino, there are plenty of games to play as well as multiple restaurants and shows (at a lower price than those on The Strip). Hugo’s Restaurant is one of the best for the famed steak and lobster on Fremont Street. Take a break from the card tables and catch a hypnotist show, a comedian, or free live music nightly.