How Many Casinos Are in Las Vegas?

Before we get into this in detail, let’s define what classifies as a casino. There are places where you can gamble in Las Vegas all over town, but only sixty of them classify as “major casinos.” Thirty-one of those are on the Las Vegas Strip. Minimarts with a couple of slot machines don’t count. Here are a few other facts about Las Vegas casinos you might not know.

What Makes a Gambling Spot a Casino?

According to the Nevada Gaming Commission, a casino is any facility with fifteen or more gambling machines, including slot and video poker machines. Based on that criteria, Las Vegas has one hundred fifty casinos. The major casinos are well-known. Smaller casinos may be in remote areas off the strip or cater to a specialized clientele.

Las Vegas only had twenty-four casinos in 1941 when they established themselves as the world's gambling capital. That number nearly quadrupled in the first fifteen years. Additional licenses have been given out since then by the Nevada State Gaming Board. Getting one today requires significant cash and real estate investment. 

Do Sportsbooks Count as Casinos?

Anyone who gambles on sporting events knows that Vegas sets the lines. This is done by oddsmakers at the Las Vegas sportsbooks, some of which are housed at major casinos. That said, a sportsbook doesn’t classify as a casino because they obviously don’t have gaming machines. There are over two hundred sportsbooks in Las Vegas. 

Many casinos in Las Vegas also have simulcast races from dog and horse tracks around the world. The city even hosts major sporting events like world-class boxing and NFL football games at their recently built Allegiant Stadium, known by Las Vegas Raiders fans as “The Death Star.” It will be home to Superbowl LVIII on February 11, 2024. 

What’s the Largest Casino in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas casinos often have multiple buildings under one casino gambling license. A good example of this is the Wynn and Encore Casinos. Their combined casino floors measure out to 110,000 square feet. They have 1800 slot machines and 240 gaming tables, making them by far the largest casino in Sin City. They’re hosting the new Formula 1 EV races in 2023. 

The larger resorts in Las Vegas are like small cities. Wynn and Encore Casinos offer pools, cabanas, golf courses, restaurants, shopping, onsite shows, and of course, gambling. They even have an online app called WynnBET where gamblers can go to place wagers on sporting events. Rooms are available both on and off the Las Vegas Strip.

What’s the Smallest Casino in Las Vegas?

Some people prefer something less extravagant than the experience offered by Wynn and Encore, and other major Las Vegas casinos on the strip. The opposite end of the spectrum is Slots-a-Fun Casino in the Circus Circus Hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard. It’s listed as the smallest casino in town, and it’s set up like an old-time video game arcade. 

Don’t confuse the word “small” with “low quality.” Circus Circus is a family-friendly resort with an “Adventure Dome” that features mazes with laser tag, rock climbing, bungee jumping, miniature golf, and a video game arcade. They also, of course, have table games that include eight-deck blackjack, craps, roulette, and three-card poker. 

What to Do When You’re Not Gambling in Las Vegas

There’s more to do than just go to the casinos in Las Vegas. The city boasts the tallest observation tower in the United States. The Stratosphere Observation Deck towers 1,149 feet above the Las Vegas Strip and has a restaurant called “Top of the World.” On a clear day, you might be able to spot The Grand Canyon, which is only five hours away.

Would you like to drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Aston Martin? Exotics Racing has cars and a 1.2-mile racetrack where you can crank those beautiful machines up to 130 miles per hour. Is that not enough for you? Check out the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You can jump in the passenger seat of a professional NASCAR driver or ask nicely if you can drive yourself.