Las Vegas has a long history of gambling. Year after year, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 300 casinos operate within the borders of Nevada, and 60 of those are major casinos in Las Vegas.
Recently, Las Vegas has reported record winnings as the industry has seen player numbers increase over the past year or so.
But is Las Vegas still the casino capital of the world? Or has it lost this title to another state? Let’s take a look at the facts…
History of Gaming in Nevada
It is no surprise that there is a lot to say about the history of gambling in the state of Nevada. It however was not until 1931 that gambling in Nevada became permitted by law. Below is a timeline of the history of gambling in the state.
• 1931: gambling became legal for the first time in Nevada.
• 1949: Nevada permitted horse race wagering and sports betting.
• 1955: Nevada Gaming Control Board was formed to oversee the state’s gambling activity.
• 1974: reductions were made to the state’s sports betting tax.
• 1975: the first sportsbooks launched as the tax was reduced the previous year.
• 1983: the tax on betting was reduced further.
• 1992: Nevada was one of the four states that were exempt from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which banned sports betting until it was abolished by the United States Supreme Court in 2018.
• 2013: the first online poker sites went live in Nevada.
Due to the nation’s history and its number of casinos, it has been considered the casino capital of the world for a long time. But is the world’s largest casino found there?
The Gambling that is Legal in Nevada
Despite Nevada’s large gambling selection, the state does not permit all types of gambling. Below is an overview of some of the games that are legal and illegal in the state, and therefore in Las Vegas.
Legal Gambling
• Horse race betting
• Off-track betting
• Sports betting
• Online and offline poker
• Various table games
• Slots
Illegal Gambling
• Lottery games
• Daily fantasy sports (technically legal, but Nevada’s gaming license laws that were enforced in recent years resulted in all daily fantasy sports operators leaving the state)
Where is the Largest Casino in the World?
When we ask where the largest casino in the world is, many would probably guess Las Vegas. However, this is not true – the largest casino in the world is actually in Oklahoma. WinStar World Casino has a 600,000 square feet footprint. It has a capacity of more than 800 people. 8,500 electronic games are offered there, as well as various other attractions. In addition, there is also a luxury hotel and spa, as well as dining options available.
Does Las Vegas not having the largest casino in the world come as a surprise? Many expect the world’s casino capital to have the biggest casino of all, but if Las Vegas is the capital, then it is not so. However, there is still a number of reasons why Las Vegas can keep this title.
High-Earning, Top-Rated Casinos
As mentioned above, Las Vegas has recently hit record numbers. It is still the most high-earning state in the United States. This is likely because it has seven of the world’s top-rated casinos operating within its borders. These top casinos are operated by some of the best-known companies in the industry. They are:
• The Venetian – ranked #1
• Caesars Palace – ranked #2
• Aria – ranked #3
• The Cosmopolitan – ranked #9
• Bellagio – ranked #10
• Wynn – ranked #13
• MGM Grand – ranked #16
Conclusion
Is Las Vegas still the casino capital of the world? Its record winnings combined with its high casino ratings would suggest so. After all, Las Vegas is simply what comes to mind when people think of gambling. Thanks to its impressive collection of high-end casinos, it may be able to retain its title as the gambling capital of the world for many years to come.
However, competition is getting fiercer all the time. And the largest casino in the world is in fact in Oklahoma. Therefore, Las Vegas cannot yet rest on its laurels! There are many popular and well-known cities out there that have gambling attractions some of which are lucrative and attractive as in Las Vegas – or, in the case of Oklahoma, even more so.
