The glittering mega-resorts of Las Vegas couldn't be more different from the neighborhood casino down the street. Each serves different purposes, attracts different players, and offers different value. Here's how to choose.
Defining the Categories
Casino Resorts
Characteristics:
- Full-service hotels (hundreds to thousands of rooms)
- Multiple restaurants and bars
- Entertainment venues
- Spas, pools, shopping
- Convention facilities
- Tourist-focused
Examples:
- Las Vegas Strip properties
- Atlantic City boardwalk casinos
- Macau casino hotels
- Singapore integrated resorts
Local Casinos
Characteristics:
- Smaller gaming floor
- Limited or no hotel rooms
- Fewer dining options
- Focus on gaming, not amenities
- Regular customer base
- Neighborhood location
Examples:
- Station Casinos (Las Vegas locals)
- Regional racino properties
- Native American casinos (many)
- Riverboat casinos
- Small commercial casinos
The Gambling Experience
Table Minimums
| Property Type | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas Strip resort | $25-100 | $50-200 |
| Vegas locals casino | $5-15 | $10-25 |
| AC boardwalk | $15-50 | $25-100 |
| Regional casino | $5-25 | $10-50 |
Winner: Local casinos for affordable table games.
Game Selection
Resorts offer:
- More table varieties
- Higher limits available
- Specialty games
- Major poker rooms
- Sports betting (usually)
Locals offer:
- Basic games
- Lower denominations
- Good video poker
- Sometimes limited selection
Winner: Resorts for variety; Local for accessibility.
Rules and Odds
Resorts tend to have:
- Worse blackjack rules (6:5 payouts common on Strip)
- Higher house edges on some games
- Tighter slots
Locals tend to have:
- Better blackjack rules (3:2 payouts)
- Better video poker pay tables
- Looser slots
- More player-friendly rules
Winner: Local casinos for better odds.
Pace and Atmosphere
Resorts:
- Faster dealing
- More crowded tables
- Tourist energy
- Less personal
Locals:
- Slower pace
- Regular faces
- Familiar dealers
- More relaxed
Winner: Personal preference.
Comps and Player's Clubs
Earning Rate
Resorts:
- Lower earning rate (more tourists, less competition needed)
- Points harder to accumulate
- Higher theoretical needed for comps
Locals:
- Higher earning rate
- Better promotions
- More generous comps
- Competitive for local business
Winner: Local casinos for comp value.
Redemption Value
Resorts:
- Points redeem for expensive amenities
- Shows, restaurants, spa
- Status comes with perks
Locals:
- Points redeem for practical items
- Food, free play, merchandise
- Easier to achieve status
Winner: Depends on what you value.
Special Offers
Resorts:
- Fewer mailers (tourists don't return as often)
- Room offers for return visits
- Big event promotions
Locals:
- Weekly mailers common
- Free play offers
- Birthday specials
- Constant promotions
Winner: Local casinos for ongoing offers.
Amenities Comparison
Dining
Resorts:
- Celebrity chef restaurants
- Fine dining options
- Multiple cuisine types
- Higher prices
Locals:
- Coffee shops and buffets
- Solid mid-range options
- Value-focused
- Limited variety
Winner: Resorts for special occasions; Local for everyday value.
Entertainment
Resorts:
- Major shows and concerts
- Nightclubs and day clubs
- Multiple bars and lounges
- Live entertainment nightly
Locals:
- Maybe a lounge act
- Movie theater (sometimes)
- Bowling (sometimes)
- Limited nightlife
Winner: Resorts decisively.
Hotel Rooms
Resorts:
- Hundreds/thousands of rooms
- Range of quality levels
- Full resort fees
- Part of the experience
Locals:
- Limited or no hotel
- Basic accommodations
- Lower rates when available
- Not the focus
Winner: Resorts for destination trips; Local for day trips.
Pools and Recreation
Resorts:
- Pool complexes
- Spas and salons
- Fitness centers
- Golf courses (some)
Locals:
- Maybe a small pool
- Limited amenities
- Focus is gaming
Winner: Resorts decisively.
Cost Comparison
Total Trip Cost
Resort weekend (Las Vegas example):
- Room: $200-500/night
- Resort fee: $50/night
- Food/drink: $100-200/day
- Entertainment: $100-300
- Gambling: $500-2,000
- Total: $800-2,500 for two nights
Local casino trip:
- Room: $0-100/night (or none)
- Food: $20-50
- Gambling: $100-500
- Total: $100-600 per visit
Winner: Local casinos for budget.
Value Per Hour
For pure gambling value (time played per dollar):
- Locals: Lower minimums = more hands
- Better odds = lower expected loss
- Better comps = offset some cost
Winner: Local casinos for gambling value.
Entertainment Value
For overall experience:
- Resorts: Shows, pools, nightlife
- Dining experiences
- Atmosphere and people-watching
- Vacation feeling
Winner: Resorts for experience.
When to Choose Each
Choose Resort Casinos When:
- Planning a vacation/destination trip
- Celebrating a special occasion
- Entertainment matters as much as gambling
- You want the "Vegas experience"
- Group trips with mixed interests
- High-end dining is a priority
- You can afford the premium
Choose Local Casinos When:
- Focused primarily on gambling
- Budget is a concern
- You play regularly
- Better odds are important
- You prefer familiar environment
- Time is limited (day trip)
- Building player's club status locally
Hybrid Approach
Best of Both Worlds
For regular players:
- Build status at local casino
- Use locals for regular play
- Save resort trips for special occasions
- Match status between properties when possible
For occasional players:
- Pick experiences that match your visit purpose
- Resort for vacations
- Local for pure gambling outings
Las Vegas Example
Many Vegas visitors:
- Stay on Strip for experience
- Visit locals casinos for gambling
- Boulder Strip, Henderson, or off-Strip properties
- Best odds + Strip nightlife
The Trends
Resort Evolution
- More entertainment focus
- Higher gambling minimums
- More revenue from non-gaming
- Targeting high-end tourists
Locals Casino Evolution
- Better amenities
- Competition for players
- More promotions
- Improved food options
Convergence
Some properties blur the lines:
- Locals casinos adding hotels
- Resorts adding value options
- Competition benefiting players
The Bottom Line
Resort casinos are best for:
- Vacation experiences
- Entertainment packages
- Special occasions
- Non-gambling activities
Local casinos are best for:
- Pure gambling value
- Regular play
- Building comp status
- Better odds and rules
Neither is "better"—they serve different purposes. The smart player understands both and chooses based on their specific trip goals.
For most recreational gamblers, the ideal approach combines:
- Resort trips for memorable experiences
- Local play for regular entertainment
- Status building at one primary property
- Strategic use of both for maximum value