Land Based Casinos | USA Casino Guide 2024

Land based casinos in the US have been existing for over a century now. Gambling was a socially-accepted activity within the British-American colonies of the 1500s, so local casinos and gambling houses were quickly created.

However, in the early 1900s, casinos were removed from every state in the US. In 1931, they were legally re-introduced in Nevada.

The arrival of the internet sparked issues on the legality of online casinos in different states, but several have now legalized the operation of these gambling sites. There are also sweepstakes casinos, also known as social casinos, that provide a path for those in the US to play for actual cash prizes in non-legalized gambling states.

What Is Land Based Casino?

Land based casinos are physical casino premises that are also known as brick and mortar casinos. The term is used to differentiate between casino venues and their online counterparts.

These casinos are physical gambling establishments, with real employees and dealers in the building. The first one in the US was established in Las Vegas in 1906. Since then, more casinos have sprung up in the country as gambling became legal in more states.

Physical casinos offer a wide range of games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, and video poker. Some also come with side attractions like bars, restaurants, and hotel room reservations for players to enjoy.

Are Online Casinos Better Than Real Casinos?

Land-based casinos have their perks and we all love them for that, but gambling sites can be a better option.

There are many reasons why 21st-century gambling lovers prefer to have a good time at online casinos, rather than traditional ones. Some of them are:

• You can play at home or on the go
• They are open 24/7.
• Hundreds of games can be available with no wait.
• Online casinos come with tutorials and live support, especially for beginners.
• Gambling sites offer free play money and welcome bonuses for newbies.
• Many online casinos are built as multilingual websites where people across the world can play.

Best US Online Casinos

These sweepstakes casinos (also known as social casinos) give players a chance to play real casino games for cash prizes in the US (except Washington State) and Canada (except Quebec). Sites like Funzpoints and Chumba Casino provide access to popular casino games like blackjack, roulette, video poker, slots, and more.

Players can purchase Gold Coin packages, which come with free Sweeps Coins. Players can then use these Sweeps Coins for a chance to win money prizes when they play the casino games, just like at any other casino!

Learn more about sweepstakes casinos such as Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Funzpoints.

What States Have Land Based Casinos?

The US is the country with the highest number of physical casinos in the world with over 1,000 legal establishments. Currently, 38 states in the country have land-based casinos, including commercial and tribal casinos.

The Difference Between Commercial And Tribal Casinos

Commercial casinos are located only in places that are specifically approved by the state or voters. They are owned and run by private companies and are usually licensed to offer games called Class III or Vegas-style. These games include slots, video poker, and table games.

Tribal casinos are located on sovereign land, also called reservation land. Lands like these have belonged to Native American tribes for centuries. The casinos are regulated and controlled by the tribe and are usually built to provide employment for their members and increase their government revenue.

States With Commercial Casinos

Right now, 20 states have commercial casinos in the US. These states are:

• Colorado
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri permit riverboat casinos.

States With Tribal Casinos

30 US states have tribal casinos. They are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina,
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Washington
• Virginia

Note that Virginia has a pending tribal casino while Maine offers only bingo.

Casinos In Atlantic City

Atlantic City casinos are some of the most visited sites in the city, as all the gambling establishments, outside of sportsbooks, are found in this area of New Jersey.

The city’s history shows that it is gambling-friendly, hence the high number of casino visitors it gets annually.

Some of Atlantic City’s most popular spots are Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

Games played in Atlantic City casinos include poker, slots, blackjack, roulette, and more. Some of these games are digitally enhanced to ensure fairness and of course, you can gamble online in Atlantic City.

Players are required to be at least 21 years old before they can be allowed to participate.

Best Online Casinos In New Jersey

Casinos In Philadelphia

Philadelphia only recently joined the casino-approved locations in the United States but it’s only gotten better since then. Today, there is one major stand-alone, physical casino in Philadelphia, a few more around it, and one more on the way.

Rivers Casino, formerly SugarHouse Casino, is the biggest in Philadelphia with over four million visitors every year. Games available table games like blackjack and roulette, slots, and video poker.

The required age for players in the casino, according to the laws of the state is 21 years.

Best Online Casinos In Pennsylvania

Casinos In Detroit

Detroit’s three casinos are all commercial, physical gambling facilities in the state of Michigan. Construction became possible when a consensus that allowed for casinos to be established in the area was given in 1996. This led to MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel, and Greektown Casino-Hotel.

Each casino comes with table games such as poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, Big-6 Wheel, Casino War, Let It Ride, and roulette. Slot machines in the thousands also take up plenty of real estate. They are open 24/7 and come with free valet parking.

Underage gambling is illegal as all players are required to be 21 years or older.

Casinos In Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is in the State of California where we have both commercial and tribal casinos, hence there are two types in the area.

There are Card Rooms, which are only licensed to play player-banked card games like Pai-Gow, Omaha Hi/Low Split, Omaha, and so on. These are considered games of skill, so slots are not allowed.

There are also tribal casinos, also known as Indian casinos, where house-banked games like blackjack and other traditional table games are exclusively played. These tribal casinos are allowed to host all games approved by the state.

Commercial casinos that only have skill-based games in Los Angeles are The Bicycle Hotel Casino, Hollywood Park, Commerce, and The Gardens. The closest casino with slot machines in the area is the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino.

Like other casinos in the country, players are required to be 21 years or older to participate in games.

Casinos In New York City

NYC is one place with vast casino choices including tribal and racinos. Games offered at these casinos include standard table games, slots, and poker.

Tribal or Native American casinos include the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Turning Stone, Seneca Allegany, and Yellow Brick Road Casino. Some of the racinos are Resorts World, Monticello Gaming and Raceway, and Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack.

All players in these casinos must be 21 years or older.

Casinos In Miami

Miami casinos are mostly racinos and tribal casinos. Racinos include Calder Casino and Race Course, Hialeah Park Racetrack and Casino, and Flagler Dog Track and Magic City Casino. The Miccosukee Resort and Gaming is the most prominent Native American casino in the area.

These casinos offer standard casino table games like video poker, electric roulette, blackjack, and slot machines. The age limit for entry into Miami casinos is 21 years.

Casinos In Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada is the world’s casino hub with a concentration of hotels and casinos spanning over four miles. Nevada was the first state to legalize gambling in the US and is the most liberal with gambling in the country today.

Popular games played in Las Vegas casinos include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and slots. Some prominent casinos in the area are MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, Caesar’s Palace, and Bellagio.

The most important law in Las Vegas is that all players in every casino must not be younger than 21 years.

Pros To Land-Based Casinos

• More diverse entertainment options
• Energetic atmosphere
• Better socialization
• Faster payout time

Cons To Land-Based Casinos

• Longer wait times
• May need to travel to the casino
• Higher minimum stakes
• Extra costs
• Lack of privacy
• Interruptions during games

Physical Casino Frequently Asked Questions

How Many States Have Gambling Casinos?

Currently, 38 US states have gambling casinos

Which States Do Not Allow Casinos?

Utah and Hawaii are two states that prohibit all forms of gambling, so there are no casinos in both states at all.

What Is The Largest Casino In The United States?

The largest casino in the US is the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.