How Many Casinos Are in Nevada?

Most people think of Las Vegas when they plan on gambling in Nevada, but the City of Sin is only one of four major gambling hubs in the state. The other three are Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin. There are a total of 441 casinos in the state. Only 63 of them are in Vegas. That provides a whole lot of options outside the Strip if you feel like travelling.

The top three casinos, based on customer reviews, are in Vegas. They are the Golden Nugget, Caesar’s Palace, and the Bellagio. These casinos also have the biggest marketing budgets, so it’s understandable that they’d be highly rated. The biggest casinos in Nevada are also in Las Vegas. They are the Venetian, the Wynn, and the Mandalay Bay. 

Reno and Lake Tahoe offer a more relaxed environment because they’re tailored for people who are on vacation and maybe want to do a little gambling on the side. The Cal Neva Resort and Casino in Tahoe is the closest casino to California, so it’s a popular spot. The best casino in Reno is Harrah’s. They have the largest jackpots and 24-hour roulette and blackjack.

The Casino Experience in Nevada

What can we possibly say about the casino experience in Nevada? Las Vegas was where it all started. Established in 1905 as a small township where three railroads joined, it rapidly grew into the world's gambling capital. Today it offers the casino experience, resort hotels, live shows, sporting events, and historical sites that tell the story of the mob in the 20th century.

Reno was built in 1868 and is home to the main campus of the University of Nevada. Their first casino, the original Club Cal Neva, was started in 1962. There are now over 20 casinos in the city, including the Silver Legacy, Eldorado Resort, Circus Circus, and Bonanza Casino. They also have the Peppermill, which is rated the 3rd best hotel spa in the US. 

Locals in Lake Tahoe gamble at the MontBleu Resort and Casino, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Harvey’s, and the Lakeside Inn. The city also boasts a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino where you can catch live shows when you’re not pulling slots or doubling down on the blackjack table. Simulcast racing, which is available at most Nevada casinos, is also widely popular.

What to Do When You’re Not Gambling

Did you know that most of the power for Nevada and parts of Arizona and California is generated by the Hoover Dam? You can visit it when you go to Las Vegas. It’s not far outside of town. Be sure to check out the Lake Mead National Recreation Area while you’re there. The water’s a little low right now, but the scenery is still spectacular. 

If you go to Lake Tahoe, you might be hard-pressed to find time to gamble. It’s one of the few places on earth where you can waterski and snow ski pretty much year-round. It’s only three hours from San Francisco and five hours from Yosemite National Park, which is worth the trip. Reno is just forty-five minutes away if you want a change of scenery. 

Want something completely different? The city of Laughlin, Nevada, is ninety miles south of Vegas on the southern Nevada border. There are casinos there, but it also contains the Oatman Ghost Town, Mystical Laughlin Labyrinths, and the Colorado River Walk. The city sits on the “Big Bend” of the Colorado River and is one of the best-kept secrets in Nevada.

Rules and Regulations for Gambling in Nevada

Nevada is the world’s most popular gaming destination, so the Nevada Gaming Commission does everything they can to accommodate their guests. In other words, pretty much everything is legal in Nevada, at least as far as gambling is concerned. You can play slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and live card games. Sports betting is also legal. 

The Nevada Gaming Control Act does prohibit unlicensed gambling, so don’t plan on going to Vegas to start your own game. Gambling licenses are strictly regulated, and fines can be hefty. Imprisonment for violating gaming laws is also possible, particularly for those caught cheating. You won’t be beaten and bounced like in the movies. You’ll get thrown in jail.