Choosing the best casinos in Las Vegas is like choosing your favourite child, or pet, or chocolate bar. It’s virtually impossible. They’re all great in their own special way, how can you possibly pick?

Latest figures show there are more than 400 casinos in Nevada with 63 of them in Las Vegas alone. 

It is also quite difficult to set the criteria for ‘best’ in this scenario. I could base it on facts such as size and number of games or be more subjective in terms of where I enjoy gambling the most or where I’ve had my biggest wins.

I’ve decided therefore, to use a combination of these factors, and not list them in any particular order! With that in mind, here are my best casino resorts in Las Vegas.

Located on the south side of the Las Vegas Strip, New York-New York offers a combination of outrageously good theming, great variety of games and attractions, and one of the best casino atmospheres you will find anywhere.

The casino floor isn’t the largest in Vegas by any means, in fact it’s one of the smallest on the Strip at around 50,000 square feet. But, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character.

With over 1,000 slots and 60 live table games, New York-New York also has a sportsbook, bar-top gaming and a high limit lounge.

While you might think the outside of the resort is well-themed, the inside is just as impressive.  Outside has the appearance of the Manhattan skyline with different coloured skyscrapers making up the hotel towers, the replica Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge.

While inside, surrounding the casino, you’ll find a replica Times Square with neon billboards and a full New York style village with intricately designed loft apartments and shop fronts with fire escapes, exposed brickwork, signage and street lighting. 

There is similar theming in the 2,000 or so hotel rooms, with faux exposed-brick walls, bright feature wallpaper and the inclusion of accent colours like Big Apple Red and Taxicab Yellow to add to the New York feel.

New York-New York has a varied range of restaurants, bars and nightlife too. Nine Fine Irishmen is a great bar with regular live entertainment, while Toms Watch Bar is the ideal place for watching sports. Both have indoor and outdoor seating areas and both serve food and drink.

Gallaghers Steakhouse, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, Chin Chin, Il Fornaio and Café America are some of the other great food options too. 

But there’s more, so much more, including an upstairs food hall, and Village Street Eateries which includes mouthwatering sandwiches at Greenburg’s Deli and incredible pizza at Sirrico's. 

If you want to be entertained at New York-New York then you have plenty of options. The Bar at Times Square has nightly duelling piano shows and the casino Center Bar is a hive of activity with nightly DJ sets.

Outside, Brooklyn Bridge hosts regular live band, while. upstairs, Coyote Ugly is the all-action nightclub based on the movie, with bar top dancing.

Oh and did I forget to mention New York-New York has its own rollercoaster too? The Big Apple coaster runs through the casino and around the resort. Or you could choose to have fun in the Big Apple Arcade, take a dip in the pool, or go and see Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil. 

New York-New York is one of those casinos that is constantly busy and always buzzing. The casino floor is a fun, lively place to be, and the waitress service has always been top-notch whenever I’ve visited. 

One of my favourite things to do in New York-New York is to grab a chocolate martini from the Chocolate Bar, right beside the giant Hershey’s store, and just soak up the casino atmosphere.

All in all, it’s just an absolutely great casino resort.

The Cosmopolitan is more commonly referred to as ‘Cosmo’ in Vegas circles. Although it is not the most well-known casino by name, it has become one of the most popular casinos on the Las Vegas Strip in the last few years.

Ideally positioned in the centre of the Strip next door to Bellagio, Cosmopolitan is contemporary, sophisticated and stylish. 

Due to its design, it covers a small ground-space but is built upwards, meaning everything is very close, compact and easy to reach. You only have to take one-step out of the casino floor to be right on the Las Vegas Strip.

The 100,000 square foot of casino space is intimate and immaculately designed. It has around 1,300 slots and over 80 table games. There’s a big sportsbook, two high-limit gaming lounges, and plenty of bar-top games too.

If you’re looking for a room with a view, then Cosmopolitan can’t be beaten in Las Vegas. Not only are the majority of its 3,027 rooms suite-like in both style and size, but they mostly have private balconies too giving incredible views over the Strip.

There are two pools to choose from at Cosmo. The Boulevard Pool is lively with great Strip views, while the Chelsea Pool is more chilled. There’s also a spa and fitness centre on site.

Probably the most well-known feature inside Cosmopolitan is the Chandelier Bar. The three-story bar sits at one end of the casino and is adorned with over two million glistening crystals. It’s an Intsagrammer’s dream.

It’s not the only bar on site though, as Cosmopolitan has two more upscale cocktail bars, a sportsbook bar and three speakeasies too.  You just have to find them first! There’s also the highly popular Marquee Dayclub and Nightclub if you’re energetic enough to enjoy them.

Dining is where Cosmopolitan really comes into its own, with over 20 different places to eat. Ranging from the ever-popular Wicked Spoon buffet, to high-end eats such as Beauty and Essex, Blue Ribbon, and The Henry to casual dining at Eggslut and Block 16 Urban Food Hall.

Cosmopolitan has a young, upbeat and fresh vibe. The waitress service has always been excellent when I’ve visited, and the smell of the place is divine (believe me). 

Although you may not have heard the Cosmo name as much as some others on this list, it is currently topping all popularity lists for its all-round excellence and I can’t recommend it enough. 

For more information, read our full Cosmopolitan review.

Bellagio is the centrepiece to the Las Vegas Strip and is simply an icon. Its classic architecture is stunning and the Bellagio Fountains in front of the casino perfectly represent the spectacle, extravagance and beauty of Sin City. 

With a casino floor of around 156,000 square feet, Bellagio is one of the biggest in Las Vegas. It has 2,300 slots and over 150 table games, plus high-limit gaming areas, bar-top gaming, poker room, baccarat room and a sportsbook.

Bellagio is beautiful and elegant both inside and out. The spectacular fountains outside are matched inside with the decadence of the Fiori di Como art sculpture in the hotel lobby, and the Bellagio Conservatory which changes every season.

The theming is subtle, tasteful, opulent, and it sets the standards throughout the resort with everything from the hotel rooms and customer service to the range of bars and restaurants.

The Bellagio hotel has 3,933 rooms all decorated to a very high standard. While not the biggest in size, you can be sure that it will be well-presented and stylish.

If you fancy a dip in the pool, then you can choose from five different options all set in an Italian themed courtyard with pretty walkways, fountains and statues in lush, landscaped gardens. 

The main form of entertainment at Bellagio is undoubtedly the Bellagio Fountains. With shows every 30 minutes through the day and every 15 minutes every evening until midnight, it is an absolute must-see.

But there’s also the Bellagio Conservatory, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and "O" by Cirque du Soleil. 

Dining options at Bellagio are extensive and many restaurants can offer a table with spectacular views of the Bellagio Fountains Show. Lakeside restaurants include Prime Steakhouse, Spago, Picasso, Jasmine, Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant and Le Cirque.

The Bellagio buffet is renowned for its quality and variety and is definitely worth a visit. If you want to be entertained while you dine, then give Mayfair Supper Club a try.

In terms of bars, Bellagio has a handful of up-scale cocktail bars including Petrossian Bar with a live classical pianist and The Vault, which is an exclusive reservation-only lounge. My favourite though is the Baccarat Bar right on the casino floor with bar-top games. 

Bellagio is everything you want Las Vegas to be. The service is exceptional, the surroundings stunning, and the casino floor has all the variety you could want. That’s why it made our list.

For more information, read our full Bellagio review.

Situated as far south on the Las Vegas Strip as you can go, Mandalay Bay has a distinct glistening gold exterior and exudes an air of sophistication.

Designed with a subtle Polynesian theme, Mandalay Bay is set within cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, and gives off a tropical paradise vibe throughout.

The casino floor is 135,000 square feet and has 1,200 slots, 122 table games, a high limit lounge, poker room, and a sportsbook. 

Mandalay Bay has one of the most spacious casino floors in Las Vegas. The slots and games are well laid out, leaving lots of space between them and it’s just one the reasons I love gambling here.

I also love the chilled atmosphere, top quality waitress service and the game variety.

The hotel has 3,200 rooms and even the standard rooms are large and exceptionally decorated. Giving off an upscale beach-hut vibe, the rooms have floor to ceiling windows and luxurious bathrooms, making them a pleasure to stay in.

The big talking-point at Mandalay Bay is Mandalay Bay Beach. A spectacular 11-acre aquatic playground, it has a real sand beach, a wave pool, a lazy river and is arguably the best pool complex in Las Vegas. There’s also a spa and fitness centre.

Entertainment-wise, Mandalay Bay is packed full of options. As well as the beach, there’s an on-site Shark Reef Aquarium, the exceptional Michael Jackson ONE Cirque du Soleil show, a large arena that hosts big music and sports events and the House of Blues Music Hall with regular live acts.  

In terms of bars, the trendy Rhythm & Riffs Bar is popular, as is Hazel Coffee & Cocktails, plus the Eyecandy Bar in the middle of the casino has regular DJ sets. For the trendier crowd the Daylight Beach Club is where you’ll want to be.

Because Mandalay Bay has an inner walkway to Luxor next door, there are also a range of bars in between the two resorts such as Ri Ra Irish Bar, Flanker Sports Bar, Minus5 Ice Bar as well as speakeasy 1923 Prohibition Bar. 

When it comes to dining, you are spoilt for choice at Mandalay Bay. The Foundation Room is a fine-dining rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip. 

Other dining options include StripSteak, Orla, Rivea, Kumi, Retro, Citizen, Seabreeze Café, Noodle Shop, Libertine Social, and Border Grill to name a few. There’s also a food court if you don’t mind a 10-minute walk through the resort.

Mandalay Bay offers quite a unique resort to Las Vegas, it is both on the Strip and a retreat from the Strip at the same time. It’s not to everyone’s tastes, but it is one of my favourite places to gamble.

For more information, read our full Mandalay Bay review.

Fontainebleau is the new kid on the block in Las Vegas, but its positive impact on the Las Vegas Strip has really been felt since it opened its doors. 

Those doors took a while to open after the project was wrapped up in financial problems for years. However, once Fontainebleau took the reins, they delivered something truly exceptional. 

Opening in December 2023, Fontainebleau accelerated the regeneration of the north end of the Strip - an area that desperately needed it. For many years following the closures of Riviera and Stardust, Circus Circus was left laregly isolated, stripped of its neighbours. Resorts World opened on the old Stardust site in the summer of 2021, but it is Fontainebleau that has really added some sparkle. 

With an enormous casino with outstanding game selection and stunning decor, the property managed to hit the perfect balance between a classic Las Vegas feel and a sleek, modern resort. 

Some eye-catching art, including an amazing mirror feature that acts like a wave in motion, certainly helped set that tone. The Center Bar in Fontainebleau is also a work of art in itself. 

Fontainebleau comes highly recommended to food-lovers as well. In fact, I struggle to recall a better meal that I have had in Las Vegas than the one I enjoyed at upscale Italian Mother Wolfe. It's just one of 30 unique restaurants, lounges, and cafés at the property. 

In terms of the casino, there is a mammoth 173,000 square-feet of gaming space which gives a home to 1,300 slot machines, 128 table games, 18,000 sq ft, of high-limit gaming, and a 14,000 sq ft modern Sports Book. 

It's just an exceptional addition to Las Vegas.  

One of the most iconic Las Vegas casinos, Caesars Palace is a colossal presence in the centre of the Strip.

Themed on the Roman Empire, its distinct appearance includes statues, plinths, water fountains, pillars and intricate neo-classical architecture both inside and out.

With a casino floor of 124,000 square feet, Caesars Palace offers a sprawling gaming space with 1,300 slots and an unrivalled 180 table games. You’ll also find a huge sportsbook, high-limit gaming lounge, a poker room and an extraordinary high amount of bar-top gaming.

Due to its continued expansion since opening back in 1966, Caesars Palace has somewhat of a complex footprint. With various hotel towers facing different directions and at diverse heights extending over a huge ground space, the resort can feel quite overwhelming for some. 

The 4,000 hotel rooms vary significantly in size and design. They are all decorated and presented to a high standard but some are quite small, especially in the original tower.

One of the big positives for guests staying at Caesars Palace is the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis. There are seven unique pools to choose from in extravagant surroundings, and it offers a tranquil escape into another world for a few hours.

As well as the unique design, Caesars Palace is well-known worldwide for the Colosseum. The 4000-seated venue has a circular intimate setting and attracts the biggest acts in the world such as Adele, The Killers, and Elton John.

Caesars Palace is also home to Absinthe, an adult-only raunchy show, with comedy, acrobatics and burlesque, if that’s your kind of show.

Restaurants are a plenty in Caesars Palace.  The Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace is one of the most famous all-you-can-eat buffets in the world and is not to be missed. Meanwhile, Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen is located just outside of Caesars and is based on the popular TV show.

Other dining options include Nobu, Gordon Ramsey’s Pub & Grill, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Peter Luger Steak House, Mr Chow, Stanton Social Prime, Brasserie B and Amalfi. There’s also a Forum Food Hall for quick eats and casual eateries such as Café Americano and Beijing Noodle No. 9.

If you want to party at Caesars Palace then Omnia Nightclub is the place to be. This renowned club has three lounges, a rooftop garden, and aerialists that serve bottle service from the ceiling!

For those who enjoy a drink, but maybe not in somewhere as hardcore at Omnia, then Caesars Palace has a range of great bars including Galleria Bar, Vista Cocktail Lounge, and the famous Vanderpump cocktail garden.

Caesars Palace is legendary in Las Vegas and that is for a reason. Gambling here can get extremely busy and the table games are packed full at weekends. It can get a little smoky and often people get lost trying to find their way around(!), but it’s still a classic Las Vegas casino to play in. 

For more information, read our full Caesars Palace review.

Located on the north side of the Strip, Wynn and sister property Encore are well-established as a mark of quality and refinement in Las Vegas.

With a sleek bronzed appearance, Wynn exudes class and opulence, and this can be experienced throughout the resort. 

The casino floor is tasteful, attractive and immaculate. Everything is primed, polished and decadent. So much so, that it can come across as a little pompous and uncomfortable for those looking for a more casual gaming experience.

However, it is still one of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas and it is easy to see why. 

The casino floor is 110,000 square feet and has over 1,000 slots and 140 live table games. A recently renovated sportsbook can be found just off the main casino, plus there’s bar-top gaming, a poker room and high-limit gaming areas too.

Everything at Wynn comes with high standards. The table games are all pristine, the gaming areas are clean, the dealers are highly professional, and the waitress service is excellent too.

As you would expect, this also comes across in the hotel rooms. All of the 2,716 rooms at Wynn are decorated exquisitely and even the standard rooms feel like suites at 640 square feet. Of course, this comes with a premium price tag too.

Hotel guests can enjoy the long, stretched lagoon pool and make use of the fitness centre and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awarded Spa too.

Entertainment wise, Wynn has a lot going on, both inside and outside of the resort. Inside, the Wynn atrium is a beautiful floral display with a working carousel and hot-air balloon which is the ideal spot for photographs.

If you enjoy shows, then you can see the spectacular acrobatic show Awakening or visit the Encore Theatre to catch a headline music or comedy show.

Outside, there is a 70-par 18-hole golf-course, the only one on the Las Vegas Strip. 

Kind of both outside and inside is the Lake of Dreams Show. Although the show happens outside in a man-made lake, you have to be inside Wynn to watch it. This is an audio and visual show projected on a 90-foot performance waterfall. Shows run every half hour from dusk and are free

The best viewing spot is one of the lakeside bars such as Aft Cocktail Deck, Bar Parasol or Overlook Lounge or by dining at Lakeside or SW Steakhouse.

Speaking of restaurants, Wynn has a huge number of options including the Wynn Buffet, Mizumi, Delilah, and Wing Lei. Just be aware that most of Wynn’s restaurants and bars are high-end, just like the majority of the clientele.

The added benefit of Wynn is that guests can also enjoy the amenities at sister hotel Encore, which is easily accessed through the internal walkways. In fact, it can be hard to know when Wynn ends and Encore begins. 

Not only does Encore have its own bars, restaurants and pool, but it also has its own 72,000 square feet casino. So, at Wynn you essentially get two casinos for the price of one.

For more information, read our full Wynn review.

Positioned as the focal point of the City Center complex, Aria is in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip but set back a little bit, behind Cosmopolitan.

Aria has a sleek steel and curved glass aesthetic and offers one of the biggest casino floors in Las Vegas at 150,000 square feet.

Deliberately un-themed, Aria focuses more on art installations, paintings and sculptures, and the casino floor is full of various pieces of art to admire and consider.

With around 1,900 slots and 140 table games, Aria rivals Bellagio when it comes to its casino and gaming capacity. It also has a sportsbook, two high limit gaming lounges, bar-top gaming and a large poker room.

Aria prides itself on being technologically superior and energy efficient. When it was built it was one of the most high-tech hotels in the world. 

This can be seen in the little touches in the hotel rooms such as your drapes automatically opening to welcome you when you first enter your room. 

The rooms themselves are a good size with floor to ceiling windows and a tablet that controls your lighting, temperature and resort bookings. And, if you’re a guest of the hotel, you can enjoy the spa or take a dip in one of three swimming pools.

Entertainment is one area that lets Aria down, there are no in-house shows or attractions. However, its central location means it is close by to lots of other things to see and do at neighbouring casinos. 

Restaurants, on the other hand, is where Aria excels. Whatever cuisine you enjoy you will find it here with options such as Jean Georges Steakhouse, Julian Serrano Tapas, CATCH, Carbone, Din Tai Fung, Lemongrass and Javier’s.

There is also a range of casual eateries such as Posh Burger, Moneyline Pizza and the newly opened Proper Eats Food Hall.

If nightlife is what you’re looking for then Jewel Nightclub features regular headline artists and DJ’s. However, if you’re looking for more low-key bar areas then the Lobby Bar, Lift Bar, Gem Bar or Alibi Ultra Lounge are all great options.

Aria does have quite a dark, nightclub type feel to it which some love and some don’t. And in my experience waitress service suffers due to the long casino layout. However, it offers so much in terms of gaming space and slot variety, that it deserves to be on the list.

For more information, read our full Aria review.

The only one of our Vegas casinos not located on the Las Vegas Strip. Circa is the newest resort in Downtown Las Vegas, although has all the look and feel of a Strip resort.

Opened as recently as 2020, Circa has brought a new style of casino to the downtown area that, to be perfectly honest, wasn’t necessarily welcomed at first. 

For many, the charm of Downtown Las Vegas is that it celebrates the old-school retro Vegas of yesteryear. With casinos dating back to the early 1900’s such as Golden Gate, El Cortez and Golden Nugget, many wanted that history untouched and unspoiled by modern development.

However, I think its fair to say that Circa has won most of its critics over at this point and I’m not at all surprised.

Circa is contemporary, fun, stylish, and has some top of the range amenities including the incredible Stadium Swim and the outstanding Circa Sportsbook too. 

The casino floor is around 50,000 square feet which is big for a downtown casino and the games are split over two floors. It offers 1,350 slots, 55 table games, bar-top gaming, high-limit gaming area, and an outrageously impressive sportsbook.

Seriously, you have to see the sportsbook to really appreciate it. Picture the biggest wall of sport you can think of, double it, and you might come close to it. It is three storeys worth of sports viewing.

The Circa hotel has 717 rooms that can rival Strip hotel rooms for space, décor and amenities. And, if you’re a guest of Circa (or sister properties The D and Golden Gate), you can take advantage of an incredible pool experience at Stadium Swim.

Remember that wall of sport I asked you to picture earlier? Well now stretch it 143 feet. Swimmers can entertain themselves watching sports all day long on a huge pool-side screen that stretches the full length of the complex. 

Another big attraction at Circa is the Vegas Vickie neon sign that has been lovingly restored and takes prime place at the centre of the casino. Vegas Vickie is a part of Vegas history having stood over the Girls of Glitter Gulch strip club on Fremont Street from 1980 – 2017.

Restaurants and bars are also aplenty at Circa. Although Barry’s Downtown Prime has an up-scale vibe, most dining options are more casual such as Saginaw’s, Victory Burger and 8East.

When it comes to bars, the mega-bar in the casino is highly impressive and has stunt-bartenders too. There’s also the Overhang Bar, Vegas Vickie’s, and the outside Circa Bar. 

For a really special nightclub experience, Legacy Club is Circa’s rooftop club lounge with panoramic views of the Downtown skyline. You’ll find lounge seating, fire-pits and an eye catching display of 1,000 ounces in gold.

Circa sits directly on The Fremont Street Experience featuring the world’s largest video screen on an overhead Viva Vision canopy. It features light and sound shows every night, with spectacular visuals synchronized to music 90 feet above the ground. 

The Fremont Street Experience is a must-visit to any Vegas visitor. As well as the incredible canopy, there’s also three stages offering nightly free music and a SlotZilla Zipline too. 

Put simply, Circa has changed the face of Downtown Las Vegas. It offers such modernized amenities that it makes even many Strip casinos seem behind the times.