The world of sports betting has never been bigger. Slowly but surely, more and more states and coming around to the idea of legalizing sports wagers in one form or another. For sports fans and gamblers, it creates another way to have fun while watching games. Meanwhile, states can generate tax revenue and sportsbooks can turn a small profit as well. There is no shortage of online or mobile destinations where bets can be placed on a wide range of sporting events.
Alas, mobile and sports betting is only available in a few states. If you’re not lucky enough to live in one of them, you may have no choice but to visit a casino to place bets on games. Fortunately, there is nothing like visiting a brick-and-mortar casino and placing sports bets in person and then sitting back and watching the game. Most casinos spare no expense when it comes to creating an environment for bettors to watch games. That means massive TV screens, comfortable seating, and plenty of food and drink options, creating the perfect atmosphere.
If you think that traveling a far distance just to place a few bets on sporting events seems foolish, we understand. That’s why the best vacation destinations are locales where sports betting can be just one of the fun activities available to you. To help you out, we compiled a list of the best travel destinations for sports betting that also have plenty of other ways for you to have fun while you’re there.
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1. Atlantic City
Source: WHYY
For anyone on the East Coast, Atlantic City is the most obvious destination for any type of betting. Mobile sports betting is legal in New Jersey, which means you don’t have to travel to Atlantic City to do some betting. Then again, there’s nothing wrong with taking a little trip to the beach and doing some betting on the side. There are countless casino options in Atlantic City, so visitors can pick out the one they like the best. Also, keep in mind that the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Steel Pier Amusement Park provide plenty of recreational opportunities when you want to step away from the casino and get some fresh air. In other words, Atlantic City gives bettors and vacationers the best of both worlds.
2. London
Source: City AM
For international travelers and cosmopolitans, London should be the destination of choice. The gambling laws there are virtually non-existent, which means you won’t have a problem finding a place to make a wager. The Hippodrome and the Ritz Club are two of the more famous options, although there are small sportsbooks all over the city. You might think that it’s mainly soccer and cricket bets happening in the U.K, but you’d be wrong. The NFL and NBA are big enough in the U.K. that sportsbooks in London accept bets for those leagues. Meanwhile, London is the ideal place to balance out your interest in sports betting with trips to museums and historic sites, not to mention the sheer beauty of attractions like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. No matter how much or how little time you want to spend gambling, it’ll never be a dull moment in London.
3. Upstate New York
Source: The Telegraph
You probably weren’t expecting to ever see Upstate New York and London on the same list, right? While New York State doesn’t yet have mobile sports betting, it’s an underrated haven for casinos. There’s del Lago in Waterloo, Yellow Brick Road in Chittenango, and Turning Stone in Verona and a few other casinos that offer sports betting. The accommodations at those casinos aren’t bad either if you plan on spending a few days. Surprisingly, there’s a lot to do in Upstate New York outside of the casinos. There are camping and hiking options in the Adirondacks and the Catskills. Plus, the Finger Lakes region offers beautiful landscapes, historic places, a surprising amount of shopping, and no shortage of wineries. You’ll also find the baseball and boxing Hall of Fames in this neck of the woods.
4. Aruba
Source: Aruba
For the ultimate mix of sun and gambling fun, there will always be Aruba. This little island at the tip of South America has long been known as the “Vegas of the Caribbean.” Most casinos are open 24/7, including the Casablanca and Copacabana, while the Stellaris Casino provides the best environment for watching sporting events after placing bets. Of course, it goes without saying that Aruba makes for an amazing vacation destination. Whether you want to sit on the beach and relax or go on an adventure by snorkeling, sailing, or exploring caves, Aruba can accommodate you. There is a lot to do and a lot of sun to soak in on such a tiny island, which means sports betting is just the tip of the iceberg.
5. Las Vegas
Source: fineartamerica.com
Last but not least, Las Vegas is the obvious and ultimate destination if you want to do some sports betting and find a few other ways to have fun. The number of Casinos and sportsbooks on the Las Vegas strip is seemingly endless, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding one you like. You’ll be able to make any wager you want for any amount of money at any time of day. With the options for sports betting growing, just because you don’t have to go to Las Vegas to gamble anymore doesn’t mean you still don’t want to go there. There’s always some form of entertainment available in Las Vegas 24/7, even if you want to step out of the casinos and nightclubs and visit Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam. Unless you’re craving the beach and the ocean, you’ll never find a more complete vacation destination than Las Vegas.
