The Most Interesting Casino Museums and Exhibits Around the World
Numerous brick-and-mortar casinos have transformed into notable tourist spots over time, from their striking architecture to exquisite interior designs; now serving more than just gambling halls.
Take a break from slot machines and table games by exploring these distinct museums, which cover an array of subjects such as pop culture and science.
The Venetian Macao
The Venetian Macao, one of Asia’s first integrated resorts to open in Macau, features a casino, hotel, shopping mall and event arena in one colossal complex. Dubbed Asia’s Las Vegas” due to its Italian design featuring canals and gondolas as well as Renaissance architecture modeled on Venice itself – as well as featuring 3,000 suites such as its Royale Suite featuring two bedrooms with king-sized beds!
This hotel features over 850 high-end duty free shops and 150 restaurants, in addition to housing the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena and Venetian Theatre for events like exhibition football matches between Manchester United and China, tennis matches featuring Roger Federer versus Pete Sampras, etc.
It offers shuttle and cab services, in addition to being home for teamLab’s immersive interactive art exhibition SuperNature Macao; a non-gaming attraction covering 5,000 square meters at Cotai Expo area.
Casino Baden
Baden-Baden Casino in the Black Forest of Germany looks more like a palace than a gambling house, becoming popular with Europe’s aristocracy after Emperor Franz Joseph I used it for treatment and recreation. Now open for tourists with guided tours for only seven euros, this stunning attraction makes an excellent tourist attraction.
Interiors here reflect Parisian-inspired decor, including an oriental winter garden and red room evoking Fontainebleau and Versailles. Fyodor Dostoyevsky visited this casino frequently to play roulette and wrote about his experiences in his novel The Gambler.
Glitzy costumes and burlesque props at this museum demonstrate its history as a popular entertainment form. There’s also plenty of taboo and outlandish memorabilia on display as well as friendly guides who make this educational tour enjoyable for all ages – it makes an excellent alternative to Bodies: The Exhibition’s 13 human skeleton exhibit.
Las Vegas Neon Museum
The Las Vegas Neon Museum, situated just north of Fremont Street Experience, is a sprawling outdoor tribute to Sin City’s history. Featuring signs from former casinos and hotels – such as Welcome to Las Vegas sign by Betty Willis who also created Moulin Rouge font – as well as artwork created by Betty Willis who also designed Welcome sign.
The museum provides tours of its main boneyard during the daytime; however, a more scenic viewing experience can be had after sunset when its neon signs light up against the desert sky. Additionally, campus highlights include Downtown Gallery and Neon Boneyard North Gallery which contain additional salvaged signs.
Signs at the museum aren’t just decorative; they play an integral role in telling Las Vegas’ storied history and will give an inside glimpse. Guides at the museum are passionate about this city and will offer unique tours that no other can match; it’s truly worth taking this tour, plus, if you want, they even allow couples to get married under its sign (just reserve ahead for that one!). If you really love someone special enough, the museum allows wedding ceremonies at its iconic sign!
Mob Museum
The Mob Museum (also known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement) provides a fascinating glimpse into Sin City’s past. Situated within an original downtown courthouse that used to host mobster-related hearings, this fascinating attraction offers visitors an illuminating journey through Mob history from its inception during Prohibition through to present day battles against law enforcement agencies. With four floors full of interactive exhibits and exhibits to take them through all phases of its formation and success.
From legendary mob bosses like Al Capone and Charlie “Lucky” Luciano to casino owners like Bugsy Siegel and Tony Spilotro who were linked with organized crime, the Mob Museum provides an informative tour through photographs, artifacts, videos, innovative museum display techniques and engaging experiences such as sitting in an electric chair replica and listening to actual FBI wiretaps.
The museum features a high-tech touch wall which enables visitors to learn about various forms of modern criminal activities – from cyber scams and money laundering schemes, through international drug cartels and human trafficking networks, up to guided tours, private group events, and wedding packages.
