Las Vegas is famous for its countless big-name casinos, many of which are located in high-end mega resorts that are as sought-after for their plush suites, luxurious amenities and five-star service as they are the casinos themselves.
But with new casino resorts springing up now and then and giving the city’s most esteemed and historic offerings a run for the money, the place to be for the world’s high-rollers seemingly changes by the year. As the famous ‘Strip’ continues to evolve, it can be difficult to keep up with which is the current hottest spot in town, and most importantly, which of Vegas’ prestigious casino resorts now reigns supreme.
Is it likely to be all change in 2025, or are the current leaders still at the top of their game? Here, we take a closer look.
Las Vegas: An overview
Las Vegas, nicknamed Sin City, is the largest city within the state of Nevada, USA – although surprisingly, it isn’t the state’s capital (that’s the much less well-known Carson City).
What distinguishes Las Vegas from other American cities is in part, its unique architectural style and culture, with its distinctive identity the main reason behind its international fame and popularity.
One of the most recognisable cities in the world thanks to its grand casinos, extravagant fountains and colourful neon lights, it attracts millions of tourists each year, with one report estimating that about 111,863 visitors arrive in Sin City each day. In other words, that’s nearly 41 million visitors a year.
Although the city is mainly known for its gaming scene, it is also a great destination for architecture aficionados – so it’s worth a trip, whether to game or simply to take in the architecture, and is an experience everyone should have at least once.
In 2003, jackpot winner Chris Moneymaker helped Vegas to gain the reputation it enjoys today when he was dealt one of the most famous poker hands in history during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event at Binion’s Horseshoe in 2003, defeating his opponent with a full house despite going into the event as a huge underdog.
These days, eye-watering wins like these happen more often than you might think, and the possibility of scooping a huge sum is all part of the thrill and excitement of casinos in the city.
The most prestigious Vegas casino resorts
Las Vegas is home to some of the best casinos in the world. Here are some of the most prestigious casino resorts in the city today, from their stand-out features and architecture and interior design choices to their huge gaming floors and impeccable service
The Wynn
The Wynn is currently ranked the number one casino resort in the city, which let’s face it, speaks for itself. This luxury hotel and casino is owned and operated by Wynn Resorts, and although it’s not as architecturally recognisable as the two other resorts on this list, the venue is still more than worth a visit and is thoroughly deserving of its place in the top spot.
Famous for its artificial mountain, its beautiful lake, the height of its hotel tower and its non-themed architecture and interior design, the venue’s prestige is a result of its excellent facilities, five-star service, and elegant casino rooms, which feature a diverse array of table games and slots to suit all tastes.
The Bellagio
The Bellagio is another iconic resort that includes a luxury hotel and a top-tier casino, and is owned by Blackstone Inc. and operated by MGM Resorts.
The architects behind this impressive project were inspired by the charming yet opulent village of Bellagio near Lake Como in Italy – and in fact, many casino architects in Las Vegas have been inspired by Italy and pay homage to Italian culture in their work, including those taking the helm in bringing the Venetian to life.
The Bellagio is particularly famous for its beautifully grand dancing fountains, which take pride of place in front of the venue. The resort is also known for its lavish designer shopping gallery and array of fine dining eateries.
Players love the casino’s huge selection of casino games, which in addition to classics like roulette, blackjack and baccarat, include over 2300 slot games and video poker games to choose from.
The Bellagio casino is also famous for poker, boasting high-stakes VIP poker rooms reserved only for the elite. The World Poker Tour also takes place here in part, which has well and truly cemented its place on the map for fans of the nail-biting game.
The Venetian Resort
The Venetian Resort is another of the most famous luxury casino hotels in Las Vegas, and with good reason. Owned by the Vici Properties group, it also holds InterContinental Alliance Resort (IHG) status and as its name indicates, it’s a Venice-themed hotel.
The architects behind its design dreamed up a project that aimed to pay homage to the famous Italian city in epic fashion, and went all out to achieve the fear. Guests can spot popular Venetian landmarks throughout the hotel and casino and can even meander down a replica of the iconic Grand Canal on board a gondola, taking in the sights as they go. More subtle nods to Venice can also be found in the hotel’s rooms and numerous facilities, creating a cohesive feel throughout its exterior and interior designs.
Gondola riding isn’t the only famous activity on offer at the Venetian Resort, as the venue is also well-known for its beautiful casino rooms and wide range of gaming options. Not only can gamers access over 225 iconic casino games, but they can also play an array of newer casino games that can’t be found just anywhere.
The resort recently introduced an Electronic Gaming Collective – a new gaming space that allows gamers to play a live dealt game on their own electronic screen – which has proved particularly popular, and is just one example of the constant stream of new options the resort strives to offer.
The incorporation of new technologies helps the Venetian Resort stay relevant and maintain its reputation in Las Vegas as one of the best casinos, and there’s something new to discover each year, so it’s little wonder that the world’s high-rollers have yet to tire of it despite its nearly 26 year history.
The bottom line
Whilst an array of exciting new casino names are making their way into Vegas, it seems that the long-standing classics are still the best. Steeped in rich history, there’s a level of prestige that comes with this that simply can’t be matched by those only now opening their doors – and we can expect to see them continuing to enjoy their esteemed reputations and epic popularity for many years to come.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
