The USA is one of the most developed countries in the world with a well-developed legal framework and clear regulation of almost all industries. The gambling entertainment industry is no exception. Casino activity in the United States is regulated at the federal level and within individual states. Although this area annually brings tangible income to the economy, the government is very cautious about its development, imposing serious restrictions on it.
- Legislation on gambling in the U.S
- Features of the development of casino-cities
- Negative impact of the gambling industry
- Rating of land-based casinos in the USA
- America’s Best Online Brands
- Frequently Asked Questions
Gambling Laws in the USA
Regulates the sphere of gambling entertainment in America federal law, adopted back in 1961. Individual states may adopt their own regulations. However, they should not contradict the general rules. In accordance with current legislation, gambling in the country is allowed, but there are serious restrictions. For a long time, financial transactions to online casinos by American users were prohibited. But after changes made to the federal law in 2011, individual states managed to legalize the industry.
A complete ban on casinos, poker rooms and bookmakers is only in Utah and Hawaii. In two states gambling entertainment is fully approved – in Nevada and Louisiana. Here there are no restrictions on the range of games provided and locations of casinos. In the remaining states, the industry is legal within small geographic areas. Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New Jersey are prime examples.
In 2016, the U.S. budget received $8.85 billion in taxes from legal casinos
In 2016, the US budget received $8.85 billion in taxes from legal casinos.
Given the gradual easing of restrictions imposed by the country’s legislation on the gambling industry, the US market looks very promising.
Features of casino-city development
Americans have always been considered a gambling nation. According to statistics, a U.S. resident spends at least 200 dollars a year on lottery tickets, and this does not include playing slots. To protect citizens from possible problems associated with sludomania, the authorities have decided to approve the activities of gambling clubs in certain geographical areas. The first of them were the cities of Atlantic City and Las Vegas. This model of business structuring has already shown its effectiveness and has become an example for other countries to follow.
Las Vegas
The city was founded in 1905 and for a long time was considered a major railroad hub. Twenty-six years later, gambling was allowed in Nevada. Las Vegas began to actively transform. In the 1940s, notable gambling houses appeared on the streets of the city. Many are still in operation today.
Las Vegas annually receives up to 40 million visitors. At the same time, the native population of the city is only 600 thousand people. Most of the locals are employed in the service industry.
Atlantic City
This is the second largest gambling zone in the United States, second only to Las Vegas. The resort has a developed entertainment infrastructure that serves over 35 million tourists annually.
As in the case of Sin City, casinos operate on the basis of hotel complexes.
The legalization of gambling in Atlantic City occurred after a referendum
Legalization of gambling in Atlantic City occurred after the referendum.
In total, there are more than 12 land-based clubs located in the city. Some of them are included in the rating of the best gambling houses in America.
Negative impact of the gambling industry
80% of Americans believe it is necessary to legalize gambling in the whole country. They do not see anything wrong in the activities of casinos. More than 60% of the population of the country at least once a year buy lottery tickets, bet on sports, visit gambling houses. According to sociological studies, 2.5 million U.S. citizens have a predisposition to ludomania. Another 3 million already have problems in this direction. 15 million people are in the risk group.
Budget revenues from the sphere of gambling entertainment exceed revenues from sporting events and movie industry. But statistics show an average 80% increase in crime in gambling zones.
After the industry was legalized in Atlantic City, the number of crimes in that city doubled
After the legalization of the industry in Atlantic City, the number of crimes in this city doubled.
Casinos in America have a negative impact on small businesses. In cities where gambling clubs are allowed to open, catering establishments, stores, real estate agencies close down en masse.
Rating of land-based casinos in the United States
Today in the United States operate hundreds of land-based casinos. Most of them are concentrated in Las Vegas. But in the ratings there are also the best representatives of other states. The ten most popular establishments in the country are described below.
Hard Rock Casino (Atlantic City)
The institution belongs to the corporation Brookfield Asset Management and Warner Gaming, includes a casino, a hotel, several stores, catering companies. The total area of gambling halls is 2300 square meters.
The complex offers visitors more than 600 machines and 84 tables for roulette, baccarat and blackjack. A poker room has been realized separately, where championships are regularly held.
Harrah’s (Lauglin)
This is a famous casino at the hotel of the same name for 1500 rooms. The complex belongs to the corporation Caesars Entertainment and occupies an area of more than 8.5 thousand square meters. From 1992 to 1997 a large-scale modernization was carried out, which allowed Harrah’s to compete with other popular American establishments.
What is offered to guests:
- 80 tables for roulette, baccarat, blackjack and other entertainment.
- 1200 slots.
- 12 poker tables.
You can diversify your leisure time by visiting one of the local restaurants. There are American, Japanese and European cuisines for visitors.
French Lick Resort Casino (Indiana)
The casino opened in 2006 after French Lick received a license. Initially, this place was designed in the form of a ship, as the legislation allowed the organization of gambling entertainment only on the water. Two years after the opening, the moat was filled in.
Visitors to French Lick Resort Casino have access to 1300 types of games, including slots, blackjack, craps, roulette and poker.
Three golf courses are located on the property. The total area, including the hotels and surrounding land, is 12 square kilometers.
Caesars (Atlantic City)
The complex combines a gambling establishment, a hotel and a spa resort. Its design is dedicated to the ancient Roman theme, like Caesars Palace in Vegas. On the territory of 11.5 thousand square meters there are 3000 slot machines and 135 tables for roulette, blackjack and other entertainment.
The area was divided into several zones:
- Slots on the second floor.
- Table games on the ground floor.
- A separate zone in Asian style.
In 2020, Caesars Entertainment announced plans to renovate the establishment. Expansion and modernization of the halls are still taking place. Reconstruction is carried out locally, which allows not to close the institution for visitors.
Catalina Island Casino (Santa Catalina)
Catalina is a gambling club located on an island of the same name off the coast of Los Angeles. The casino building is the largest in Avalon Bay and is its main attraction.
The construction of the complex was completed in 1929. The cost of this project was estimated at 2 million dollars. In addition to gambling halls, there is a movie theater, which for the first time offered visitors to watch movies with sound. In many respects, the institution owes its popularity to this hall.
On the second floor of the building there is a vast ballroom with a round dance floor with a diameter of 55 meters. It can accommodate up to 3000 people at a time.
Casino at Harrah’s (Cherokee)
One of the best casinos in the United States, with an area of 1400 square meters. On its territory there is an entertainment center for 3000 guests, a network of restaurants, a conference hall, etc.
Casino at Harrah’s in Cherokee features more than 1000 machines and 100 table games. A poker room has been realized separately. It has 20 tables where tournaments are held almost daily.
Golden Nugget Casino (Las Vegas)
The institution was founded in 1946. It is one of the oldest casinos in the city. The first tower of the hotel opened in 1977, the second – in 1984, the third – in 1989. In 2000 Golden Nugget Casino was taken over by MGM Grand Corporation.
The maximum bet in table games here is $15,000
The maximum bet in table games here is $15,000.
In 2005, the establishment began a major renovation. The total cost of the modernization project is estimated at $100 million. As a result, the hotel can offer more than 2400 rooms, and casino visitors have access to hundreds of slots and dozens of table games.
Beau Rivage Casino (Biloxi)
A coastal resort operated by MGM Resorts International Corporation. The hotel building is recognized as the tallest in Mississippi. At the time of opening, Beau Rivage offered 1,740 rooms for travelers to stay. It was the largest room stock outside of Nevada. The complex was located on several floating barges as required by law. It was later moved to land.
Beau Rivage Casino is housed in a 29-story building 105 meters high. The last renovation was carried out here in 2006.
Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas)
This is not a separate institution, but a whole boulevard of more than 7 kilometers. The best casinos in the USA are located on it. At the same time, the Strip is located outside the city itself and is considered part of Paradise and Winchester.
Fun on the boulevard reigns around the clock at any time of the year. In addition to the key casinos, there are dozens of smaller slots halls. You can even place your bets outside in the open air.
Borgata Casino (Atlantic City)
A large-scale complex that includes a casino, a hotel and a number of retail and entertainment facilities. The area of gambling halls is 15 thousand square meters, and the institution is located in a skyscraper – one of the main attractions of Atlantic City.
Borgata Casino is owned by the operator MGM. In 2005, $200 million was invested in its modernization, which allowed to expand its functionality. More than 4000 slot machines are installed in the halls of the establishment. There are not many tables – about 25 pieces. But all popular entertainments are available on them: poker, roulette, baccarat, craps, etc.
America’s Best Online Brands
Although US citizens are forbidden to make transactions to gambling sites, there are quite a few operators in the country.
| Name | License | Number of games |
|---|---|---|
| ViggoSlots | Curaçao | 2000 |
| Duelz | Curaçao, UK | 1200 |
| Spela | Malta, Sweden, UK | 1300 |
| Winorama | Curaçao | 500 |
| Loki | Curaçao | 1000 |
The advantage of American sites is their reliability. The laws of the country are very strict, so only legal operators work on the market.
Frequently asked questions
These sites may not have a Russian-language interface, but users from CIS countries are accepted.
English. Cyrillic is not supported by US sites.
From the age of 18. But some states increase this bar to 19 and 21 years old.
Just for appearance’s sake. They’re based on a random number generator.
Just for the sake of interest and experiment. Otherwise, it is not very convenient, and bonuses Russian-speaking sites offer similar.
