Las Vegas is the sixth-most visited city in the US and a hive of gaming activity recognized the world over.

There’s much more to the City of Lights than simple casinos; our article ‘6 Nearby Sights to Visit by Car’ outlined some of the better attractions you can get to without stepping foot in a casino or having a hand of cards dealt in anger. It’s a beautiful area of the country and well worth taking the time to explore properly.

However, people are undoubtedly going there for the casino games; cards and slot machines, roulette and blackjack. It is the core industry within Sin City, and establishments on the Strip earn almost $800m per month in revenue, according to Forbes. That’s a huge sum, and it makes locations such as the Bellagio and Aria not only lucrative but amongst some of the most recognizable casinos in the world.

There are 144 casinos in Vegas, and perhaps eight or nine of those are household names the world over, thanks to their use in films and television shows, but where are the best of the rest? Which locations are you not likely to have heard of, which you should visit whilst in town? These rank highly on the list for different reasons.

Rampart Casino

221 N Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145

Locals and tourists love the Rampart Casino, but it is hidden away from the Strip, making it an understated location. It boasts all of the usual attractions; poker games, slot machines and the like, but without the hubris and crowds of the Strip clouding their offerings. You can even get married in the Rampart if you like it so much! There are also eight restaurants and ample parking, and if it is a bit too sedate, the Strip is not far away.

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

3700 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Credit: Amadscientist, Rio Hotel and Casino new tower, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Bellagio benefits from its exposure in films such as Ocean’s Eleven, but the Rio has a much different type of exposure; it was the site of the 2021 World Series of Poker. That might not quite have penetrated worldwide mainstream audiences, but it does make the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino a vital stop for a serious poker player. It’s not just about gaming; the location offers a full-service spa, salon, and a seasonal outdoor pool. The prestige here is playing the same tables that Koray Aldemir sat around as he took home the $8m main event prize in mid-November.

Golden Gate Hotel and Casino

1 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Credit: Toohool, Golden Gate Casino, CC BY-SA 4.0

If you’ve done with the Strip, the usual port of call for a tourist is Freemont Street, but in Vegas, that doesn’t mean you’re away from the gaming. Instead, you’ll find yourself outside the Golden Gate Casino, a fun venue that has a less formal vibe than those you see on the Strip. The poker dealers have some fun with you, and that makes for a more entertaining experience rather than a serious, all-in poker game. It is also a location with history; it is the smallest casino in the downtown area and the oldest. Another bonus is the cost; it’s cheaper to play here than the bigger venues, which help it remain popular.