When one thinks of casinos, Las Vegas is typically the first city that comes to mind.
Known for its vibrant neon lights, themed hotels, and the famed motto of ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ the city has long held the crown as America’s gambling hub.
However, a recent study conducted by gaming aggregator SlotMatrix reveals a surprising twist: Las Vegas has been dethroned, landing in fourth place behind Chicago, Detroit, and Atlantic City.
According to the study, the rankings were determined by a range of metrics, including the number of casinos per 100,000 residents, availability of connected hotels and restaurants, and the volume of gaming options available—like slot machines, table games, and poker tables within casinos.
In addition to these factors, the research also examined the number of late-night bars open for business, average hotel prices, and the surge in online searches related to casino travel since 2022.
Chicago solidified its position as the top casino city based on having the highest number of table games and poker tables per casino at an astonishing average of 159.
Moreover, it ranks third for the number of slot machines available, boasting around 2,100 machines.
Since 2022, interest in traveling to Chicago specifically for its casino attractions has skyrocketed, with a staggering increase of 258 percent in Google searches.
Despite this, cities like Detroit and Philadelphia outstrip Chicago in their respective increases of online interest—340 percent and 336 percent, respectively.
Following Chicago in the rankings is Detroit, which surprises many as a major gambling destination.
The Motor City features the most slot machines per casino and has seen the highest growth in travel-related searches among the cities analyzed.
Atlantic City, a city much more synonymous with gambling, takes the third spot overall, boasting the highest concentration of casinos relative to its population.
As for Las Vegas, it does retain one of the highest densities of casinos per 100,000 residents.
However, the appeal of its lavish hotels often comes at a steep price, with average nightly rates around $210.
This places it fourth highest in the country, trailing behind Pittsburgh at $285, Chicago at $232, and surprisingly, Detroit, where an average hotel night costs $304.
The metrics used in the study have sparked debates about the validity of the rankings, particularly as they suggest Detroit could easily claim the top spot over Chicago.
Moreover, in comparing Atlantic City and Las Vegas, it appears both should rank significantly higher than Chicago and Detroit.
Irrespective of the rankings, the excitement around casino travel is prevalent across various cities, driven by their own unique offerings and attractions.
For those tracking the evolving landscape of casinos and gambling, the study highlights a shift in preferences and interests that would have been unexpected even a few years ago.
As the competition among these cities continues to heat up, only time will tell how these dynamics may change further in the future.
Here is the complete list of the top ten casino cities in the United States:
1. Chicago, Illinois
2. Detroit, Michigan
3. Atlantic City, New Jersey
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
6. Everett, Washington
7. Prior Lake, Minnesota
8. St. Louis, Minnesota
9. Biloxi, Mississippi
image source from：https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/a-new-study-says-las-vegas-isnt-the-best-casino-city-in-america-heres-what-beat-it-061125
