Historians say that gambling has been a practice all through history, with the first indication of gambling coming from as old as 2000 B.C. Although it did not originate in the US, gambling and the United States share a very long and interesting relationship. Gambling not only includes a diversity of dexterities, from pattern recognition to critical and arithmetic thinking, but it has also long been a great way of socializing with friends.
Americans have been gambling since centuries ago, but with the legal situation changing over time, the country has developed some of the most complex gambling laws you are likely to find anywhere in the world.
Rather than having umbrella federal rules govern the entire country, each state has the authority to make its own laws. As a result, what is legal in one state may be illegal in another state.
Many states allow land-based casinos in some capacity, but they are not as liberal with online casinos. In fact, online casinos are legal in just the six American states.
American states have been more welcoming to sports betting, with more than 30 states now allowing their residents to wager on sports online.
In this article, we discuss the best places you can gamble in the United States with special consideration given to the number of gambling options available online and offline.
So if you are gambling buff visiting the US, you may want to set your plans to land in any of the states listed below!
1. Nevada
Unsurprising, Nevada sits right at the top of the list. The Silver State is famous all over the world for its unrivalled nightlife and gambling culture, with two cities in particular – Las Vegas and Reno – standing out.
Come on, everyone knows about Vegas. Dubbed the Entertainment Capital of the World, Sin City boasts numerous casino hot spots, none better than the monstrous Las Vegas Strip which houses top locations like the Bellagio, the Venetian and ARIA Resorts and Casino.
While Vegas may be the bigger brother in Nevada, Reno is no slouch either!
Boasting over 20 casinos, the city is called “The Biggest Little City in the World”. Some of the most prominent casinos in Reno are the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa and the Grand Sierra Resort.
And if you are more into the relatively quieter waters of sports betting than larger-than-life styled casinos, that is also available as well. Sports betting is legal in Nevada in both the online and retail forms. However, you’d have to register in-person before you can wager online.
2. New Jersey
Right after Vegas on our list comes New Jersey, with its exciting casino options and bubbling sports betting industry.
If Nevada is the gambling home of the West Coast, then NJ is the headquarters in the East! New Jersey is one of a handful of US states that have legalized sports betting and casinos in both online and retail versions.
The stand-out location in New Jersey for casino buffs is Atlantic City. Just like Vegas, the city attracts millions of visitors and tourists every year thanks to the 30+ casinos in the area.
Nicknamed “America’s Playground”, Atlantic City hosts top casinos like the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, and Golden Nugget.
New Jersey is also one of the leading states in the US for sports betting. In fact, the Garden State was the main protagonist in the battle to legalize sports betting across the United States, challenging the widespread ban on wagering and winning the Supreme Court ruling in 2018.
Now, the state has a thriving sports betting industry – arguably the best in the country – allowing online and retail play on sites like Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel. Given the intense battle for market share, these operators often put their strongest foot forward in the state, offering an impressive array of great sportsbook promos for New Jersey customers.
3. Mississippi
Mississippi is another top gambling destination in the United States, mostly famous for its luxurious casinos. One of such casinos is the Island View Casino Resort which spans an impressive 126,000 square feet.
Two Mississippi cities stand out for gambling – Biloxi and Tunica.
The wonderful coastal city of Biloxi has the higher gambling profile, and is often referred to as the Playground Of The South while Tunica is a bit of an unsung hero.
Tunica hosts a number of amazing casinos, including the Hollywood Casino and the Gold Strike Casino Resort.
The state of Mississippi also allows legal sports betting, both online and retail, but bettors must be physically present in a licensed casino to place sports wagers of any form.
4. Pennsylvania
If you want variety in your gambling, Pennsylvania ticks most boxes.
The state is another one that allows retail and online casinos, as well as retail and online sports betting. So, for a complete gambling experience, PA is a must-visit state!
Given the large number of professional sports teams in the state, especially in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, it comes as no surprise that sports betting is huge in PA.
Philadelphia is also on the charge towards being a casino epicenter in the US. The city now has over 10 casinos, with the Rivers Casinos, Parx Casino and Racing, and the Live! Casino and Hotel amongst the top gambling destinations in the city.
Pennsylvania is also home to the famous Pocono Mountains, renowned as one of the top gambling spots in the United States.
This picturesque tourist area in north eastern Pennsylvania hosts quite a few resorts and casinos, including the Mount Airy Casino.
5. Connecticut
Rounding out our top five places to gamble in the United States is Connecticut, which slides into our list thanks to the enormous Foxwoods Casino Resorts and the Mohegan Sun.
Each of these gigantic structures span well over 300,000 square feet, and are easily amongst the largest entertainment spots anywhere in the world.
They both welcome millions of visitors on a yearly basis, so you may want to join that list. If you are looking for an exciting gambling location on the east coast, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun come highly recommended!
Connecticut isn’t all about casinos – sports betting is also legal in the state. Sports wagering is not as robust as it is in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but residents and visitors are still able to place bets on FanDuel and Draftkings.
Final Thoughts:
As we conclude, special mentions must go to Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, and Louisiana, which have only narrowly missed out on our top five! Gambling can be a cause of recreation and enjoyment, and it also provides a sort of distraction and a chance to live through the thrill of a contest, all the while remaining a great reason for friends to get together. As long as you do it legally, and without being addicted to it, gamble on!
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Ferona Jose is a passionate travel writer and blogger at Travelistia. She has traveled throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Her writing focuses on cheap travel destinations, travel experiences, cultural insights, and travel hacks.