What is Gambling Tourism?

Gambling tourism is a combination of the travel and gaming sectors, covering those players who visit places specifically to gamble as well as the industries which support those players. Casino hotel resorts play a big role in gambling tourism, attracting visitors for a well-rounded and entertaining vacation that includes gambling, entertainment and more. Gambling tourism also covers players who visit another location to gamble because they are restricted from playing in their home nation or state.

Gambling Tourism Explained

‘Gambling tourism’ refers to players that travel in order to gamble, and also to the industry enabling this travel. Gambling can be a very appealing feature of a location, attracting plenty of visitors who want to play at the casinos. For example, Las Vegas attracts millions of visitors every year who head there specifically for the purpose of gambling. These ‘gambling tourists’ are catered for with hotel resorts, bars, restaurants, entertainment and more at gaming venues, encouraging these visitors to make their gaming trip into a comprehensive vacation.

While players often travel for the fun of gambling in a new location, others may do so because they cannot access gambling at home. Many nations have completely outlawed gambling, and it is not available in a large number of US states either. If a person wishes to partake in gambling, they will need to travel to a place where gaming is legal. These ‘gambling tourists’ are an important part of the gaming economy.

Most gambling tourists come to a location from a foreign territory (UK to Vegas or France to Monte Carlo, for example), but some places benefit more from domestic gambling tourism. In Macau, the world’s most lucrative gaming market, many players travel to play from the Chinese mainland because gambling is outlawed there.

In the modern world, gambling tourism for legal reasons is becoming slightly less common, because players can use computers and private networks to access gambling services online – even when access to those services is prohibited. However, gambling tourism for leisure is still a thriving business, especially in the Asian gaming markets where most casinos are required by law to offer entertainment and hotel services.