Today’s generation is mostly into online casinos whenever they think of gambling. But if you’re looking for an authentic experience at the tables or slots, visit a brick-and-mortar establishment. The sounds and lights, coupled with the various activities on the floor, create a thrilling ambiance for visitors. The best part is that in most North American states, you can find a few land based casinos to enjoy yourself.
Gambling has been a pastime favorite for many in the US since the 1800s, aswell as discovering our national parks. The first casino, Nevada’s Golden Gate Casino, was even built in 1906 to bring a change from the riverboat options that were popular at that time. But in 1910, a ban on all gambling, except for state lotteries, brought things to a standstill. The argument was similar to what’s currently holding back the expansion of the online gambling scene: an influx of social ills caused by gambling addictions.
A shift to gambling legalization in the US began around the same time as when the Great Depression hit. With the economy at its knees, the benefits of regulated gambling options became clear. And by 1930, Nevada was already offering legal gambling to its residents.
Where To Find Casinos In The USA
Fast forward to today, individual states have continued to draft the necessary legislation to minimize the social ills attributed to gambling. So you’ll find plenty of venues to gamble whenever you’re in the mood. And to get you started, here’s a list of some of the most popular land based casinos in the USA by states. That way, you know where to go if variety in gambling options is what you seek.
States With The More than 50 Casinos
- California: Has 97 casinos, like Chumash Casino Resort.
- Florida: Has 90 casinos, 11 of which are Indian casinos.
- Louisiana: Has 136 casinos, including 6 cruise ships.
- Montana: Has 116 casinos, including the Indian establishment Glacier Peaks Casino.
- Nevada: As the pioneer in gambling legalization, it’s no surprise that this state has 347 casinos.
- Oklahoma: Has 108 casinos, which are all Indian establishments.
- Washington: Has 51 casinos, including 33 Indian establishments and 17 cruise ship venues.
States With Under 50 Casinos
- Alabama: This state has 4 casinos, including the Wind Creek Wetumpka Casino & Hotel
- Arizona: Has 26 casinos, including the Talking Stick Casino.
- Arkansas: Has just 2 casinos. These are Oaklawn Racing and Southland.
- Colorado: Has 44 casinos, two of which are tribal casinos.
- Connecticut: Has 2 casinos. These are the Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun.
- Delaware: Has 3 casinos, including Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.
- Georgia: Has the Emerald Princess Casino, set on a cruise ship.
- Idaho: Has 9 casinos, 8 of which are Indian establishments.
- Illinois: Has 9 casinos, including Rivers Casino Des Plaines.
- Indiana: Has 11 casinos, including 2 venues on cruise ships.
- Iowa: Has 21 locations, 4 of which are Indian casinos.
- Kansas: Has 9 casinos, including the racino Hollywood Casino.
- Kentucky: Has 2 casinos, Kentucky Downs Gaming and Derby City Gaming
- Maine: Has 2 casinos, including Hollywood Casino Bangor, which covers 30,000 sq ft.
- Maryland: Has 6 casinos, including the MGM National Harbor & Hotel.
- Massachusetts: 3 casinos, including 1 racino.
- Michigan: Has 26 casinos, 23 of which are Indian casinos.
- Minnesota: Has 23 casinos, including the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
- Mississippi: Has 30 casinos, including 1 cruise ship venue.
- Missouri: Has 13 land based casinos.
- Nebraska: Has 5 casinos, all of which are Indian venues.
- New Jersey: Has 10 casinos, including the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
- New Mexico: Has 26 casinos, which include 5 racinos.
- New York: Has 25 casinos, 2 of which are cruise ship venues.
- North Carolina: Has only 2 Indian casinos.
- North Dakota: Has 6 casinos, including the Prairie Knights Casino & Resort.
- Ohio: Has 10 casinos, 6 of which are racinos.
- Oregon: Has 9 Indian casinos, including Spirit Mountain Casino.
- Pennsylvania: Has 14 casinos, including Wind Creek Bethlehem (formerly Sands Casino Bethlehem)
- Rhode Island: Has only 2 casinos.
- South Carolina: Has 4 casinos, which are all on cruise ships.
- South Dakota: Has 33 casinos, including the Dakota Sioux Casino & Hotel.
- Texas: Has 4 casinos, including the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle, which boasts over 3,200 slot machines.
- West Virginia: Has 5 racinos, including Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
- Wisconsin: Has 21 casinos, including Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee.
- Wyoming: Has only 4 Indian casinos.
States With No Casinos
- Alaska: Gambling in this state is limited to tribal halls and cruise ship casinos when they reach international waters.
- Hawaii: This state allows no form of gambling.
- New Hampshire: This state doesn’t have casinos, just poker rooms and sports bars.
- Tennessee: This state only allows Daily Fantasy sports and the state lottery.
- Utah: Similar to Hawaii, no gambling is allowed in this state.
- Vermont: This state forbids professional gambling. So you can only participate in no-profit games.
- Virginia: With no tribal or commercial casinos, you can only participate in sports bets and poker home games.