What are the most affluent casinos in the world?
When thinking of casinos, usually we think of luxurious venues with extravagant decorations, well-dressed patrons and piles and piles of money being won and lost on the casino floor. The popularity of casinos has only grown over time, and a list of casino games that are played all around the world will always feature the likes of poker, baccarat, roulette, blackjack and slots at the very least. Of course, due to local laws and regulations, there are some places in the world which have become well-known as gambling and casino hotspots, and the most famous of these has to be Las Vegas, or ‘Sin City’, as it is also known as. Vegas is home to some of the biggest, best and most famous casinos in the world, with the Las Vegas Strip being recognized internationally as one of the most sought-after locations in terms of gambling activities. However, it may come as a surprise to know that not even one of Las Vegas’ famous casinos has been among the highest-grossing in the world recently. Read on to find out more about the top-earning casinos in the last few years.
The Galaxy, Macau
First place on this list goes to The Galaxy in Macau. Macau is one of the most famous gambling hubs in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year, especially from the Chinese mainland where gambling is prohibited. Thus, it is no surprise that some of the biggest casinos in the world are situated on this island, but also that most of the biggest profit-making casinos globally are also in Macau. Gambling contributes to more than half of Macau’s economy, which will come as no surprise to anybody who has ever visited this region. The Galaxy Macau drips with luxury. Opened in May of 2011, it cost nearly $2 billion to build. Aside from its casino, it offers plenty of other things for visitors to do. You can choose among six hotels to stay in, dine at one of over 120 restaurants, swim in the largest pool in Macau, be pampered at a luxurious spa, book a private movie showing with your own butler in attendance, or go to numerous shows, bands, and other performances. If you go to a casino to gamble, the Macau Galaxy offers everything you could want. It has over 1,500 slot machines and 650 table games spread over 400,000 square feet. All of this has made the Galaxy Macau the most successful casino in the world, in terms of revenue. It had revenues of over $6.6 billion in 2019, and even with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it made over $1.6 billion in 2020, showing just how attractive a location it remains.
City of Dreams, Macau
Another of the grand casinos on the island, the City of Dreams casino opened in June 2009. Boasting a total of 420,000 square-feet (39,000 square-meters) of casino space, it offers guests the opportunity to win big (or lose big, depending on the whims of lady Luck) at more than 450 gaming tables and 1,514 gaming machines. It’s also in good company, as part of a complex which includes the high-end Grand Hyatt Macau and Hard Rock Hotel. When it comes to gambling, there are 520 gaming tables and 1,350 slot machines spread across 420,000 square feet. Again, even with the impact of the pandemic, the casino declared revenues of $57 million in the last quarter of 2020.
SJM Grand Lisboa, Macau
Opened in February of 2007, it’s the tallest, and one of the most striking, buildings in Macau. If you love fine dining, the SJM Grand Lisboa is the only place in the world to have four Michelin-starred restaurants under one roof, according to their website. They have 400 hotel rooms available, 14 dining establishments, and an assortment of shows and concerts. While you’re there, you can also view The Star of Stanley Ho, the world’s largest cushion-shaped diamond. Their casino offers 1,000 slot machines and 850 gaming tables.
Wynn, Las Vegas
The Wynn Las Vegas, which spreads across 215 acres of the Las Vegas Strip, cost $2.7 billion to build. It opened in April of 2008. Among its features are more than 4,750 hotel rooms, which puts the Wynn among the biggest hotels in the world. For some years, the Wynn was the world’s biggest hotel, but now the Izmailovo, Moscow with 7,500 rooms holds that title. Among the dining options is the country’s first Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant. For entertainment, you can choose to see a Cirque du Soleil show or see top musicians and comedians perform. At night, you can enjoy two indoor night clubs or party at the outdoor beach club. In the heart of the desert, the Wynn has built an enormous waterfall which flows into a three-acre lake. The casino offers 189,000 square feet of playing room with over 165 table games and 2,000 slot machines.