The best gambling cities in Asia
It's always fun to be able to gamble in a land-based casino. But not all countries allow casinos. So, when you're in Asia, where are some of the best places to gamble? Well, though most of us think of Las Vegas in terms of bright lights and massive casinos, Asia has a great set of options too.
In fact, some casinos in Asian countries are the best in the world. These casinos offer some high-quality entertainment in some really luxurious packages. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best gambling cities Asia has to offer.
Macau
Without a doubt, Macau is top of the list when it comes to gambling in Asia. In fact, it's easily the best city in Asia for all types of gambling. It's home to one of the most famous casino resorts in the world, easily rivalling that of Las Vegas. Nowadays, it actually outshines Vegas both in size and revenue.
What's even better about this island city, is that there is an inordinate number of different casinos available. This means that, no matter what your tastes, there's something to suit you. With so many options, it's hard to pick out some standout casinos. But some top names include the MGM, Grand Lisboa and The Venetian.
Singapore
Close on the heels of Macau is Singapore. This large city and country, doesn't quite have as many casinos as Macau, but it has some that are of seriously high quality. One of the most famous casinos in the city is Marina Bay Sands. It's located right next to the beach and is home to over 500 gaming tables. Back in 2010 when it opened, it was the most expensive casino property in the world.
Luxury continues to be the name of the game when it comes to Singaporean casinos. Another quality option is Resorts World Sentosa Casino, which is located right on the coast. Not only does this casino offer games, but its partnership with Universal means it offers a range of other attractions too.
Manila
This might come as a surprise to some, but the Philippines is a growing country for gambling. Manila in particular has a growing number of top-end casinos. One of the top casinos in the capital is Resorts World Manila. This casino actually works in conjunction with Malaysia's Genting casino. Manila's top spot is also located conveniently near the airport making it a great last and first stop when in the country.
Recently, a newer casino has gained popularity, Solaire Resort and Casino. This also holds Entertainment City and, being right on the bay, gives you a view of Manila Bay at sunset. It might not be as big as Resorts World, but it does offer excellent poker options, and that view is just perfect.
Kuala Lumpur
Surprisingly, the Resorts chain prevalent around Asia actually originated from Malaysia. The best casino here is the Genting Casino, which actually opened back in the 1970s. Since then, it has grown massively moving from just 30 tables to over 400. It's also an integral part of the history of gambling in the Asian region, making this a must. On top of that, the casino is 1800 metres above sea level. It's about 30 km outside of Kuala Lumpur, but the drive to get there is easy.
Seoul
For something a little different, heading to South Korea's capital Seoul offers a very different take on gambling. While gambling is actually illegal in the country, this is only for residents. Visitors and tourists can actually gamble with no issues — as long as you can find the casino!
The best place for playing in this city is Paradise Walker Hill Casino. However, it's pretty hidden and isn't quite on the same level as the other casinos on this list. Remember, it's geared only to tourists too, so maintains a small, but diverse selection of games.
Where next?
Gambling in Asia as a whole is still in the early stages. In Japan there are complicated rules and not easy to grasp exactly what’s legal. But recently regulations have been moving forward rapidly. Due to this there are some major development plans going on such as the $9 billion MGM Resort. Online, there are sites that provides whatever you need in order to get started.
Many countries such as Thailand, still have a complete ban on casinos. Visitors and locals alike are only able to hit a casino when crossing the border into neighbouring Laos or Cambodia. However, other countries in the region are starting to turn things around, legalizing gambling.
Notable cities include Vietnam's Phu Quoc island, which has a number of growing resorts and casinos available all under the Vin Pearl brand. Similarly, Japan has started making their gaming laws a little easier, and it's likely that there will be some top casinos in Japanese cities in the near future too.
With that in mind, there's still plenty of options for gambling in Asia. This is particularly true if you want to enjoy high-end gaming and that feel of living the luxurious high-life.