Gambling-friendly Holiday Destinations For Aussies This Christmas
What’s the fun of Christmas if you can’t feel the white snowflakes falling on the beautiful decorations of giant Christmas trees everywhere? The feeling is different, one that Aussies crave, but nature had other plans. So, it is unsurprising that most Aussies embrace the idea of escaping the summer heat for a wintery Christmas holiday experience. According to Statista, an estimated 7.2 million Australians made such a trip in 2023.
According to a TripAdvisor travel index, international travel surged from 28% the previous year to 43% in 2024. More Aussies are dusting their passports to head overseas, and many are doing so for specific reasons, like experiencing a Christmas casino vacation.
Proper planning is critical, especially if you have specific interests like having a Christmas casino holiday. This article shares valuable insights into some of the most alluring, gambling-friendly vacation destinations for Aussies.
Las Vegas – The City That Never Sleeps
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For most people, this is a no-brainer. Las Vegas is the first place that comes to mind when planning a Christmas casino holiday. Over 40 million people visited Las Vegas in 2023, and Australians rank fourth.
Indeed, you don’t want to miss the chance to visit the 4-mile stretch that makes up the popular Las Vegas strip. The glitz and glamor are indescribable.
It gets even better during the winter festive season. The iconic strip has festive decors, giant Christmas trees, and gingerbread houses that give visitors a unique experience. Casinos like MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, and Wynn Resorts also offer holiday-themed competitions for different casino games. Here are some of the finest casinos that can make your Christmas casino holiday in Vegas memorable.
Why It’s a Convenient Destination
Las Vegas offers more than just casinos – it’s a hub for entertainment, world-class shows, fine dining and easy access to natural landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon.
MGM Grand Vegas
MGM Grand is highly recommended as a one-stop destination for Aussies looking for an all-in-one casino resort. It features numerous restaurants, over 5000 rooms, bars, cinemas, and shopping retail stores.
The resort is also home to one of the most popular casinos in the world. It has a floor area of over 1700,000 square feet, housing hundreds of slot machines, perfect for Australians who love pokies.
Wynn Las Vegas
Planning to live life to the fullest in Vegas? Wynn is a five-star luxury hotel and casino that provides the perfect getaway for Australians to enjoy a memorable Christmas casino holiday. The resort features spas luxury retail shopping, restaurants, hotel accommodations, and salons.
As the famous saying goes, “There is nothing in the world like Las Vegas – and there’s absolutely nothing in Las Vegas like Wynn.’ It describes the impeccable luxury that awaits you.
Fun Las Vegas Casino Fact
Did you know that the largest jackpot ever won in Las Vegas was $39,7 million, won by a sofware engineer from Los Angeles in 2003 at the Excalibur Casino? He had only wagered $100 on a Megabucks pokies machine. Now that’s a low-deposit bet!
Vienna, Austria – Where Sophistication Meets Chance
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Whether it is the similarities in the name or the almost opposite climate, there is an increasing influx of Australians to Austria. Over 153,000 Aussies visited in 2023, setting a new record. Certainly, those numbers are likely to increase, especially for those looking for the perfect gambling-friendly holiday destinations to explore. Vienna tops the other cities, offering some of the best opera houses and casino resorts. Often called “The City of Music,” it is famous for its gracious classical architectural designs with operas like the Staatsoper Volksoper, Theater an der Wien, Haus der Industrie, and Sounds of Vienna.
Likewise, you might want to include exploring the city’s best casinos in your holiday plans. Casino Wien is the apparent favorite as it is the most popular in the country. Other options to consider include Casino Baden and Concord Card Casino.
Why It’s a Convenient Destination
Vienna is a cultural treasure. It offers easy access to operas, art museums, historic landmarks like the Schönbrunn Palace and a rich café culture alongside sophisticated gaming venues.
Casino Wien
Casino Wien is a land-based casino located in the city center of Vienna. It features stunning decor and beautiful chandeliers mounted on high ceilings to convey the classical Viennese design. Casino Wien lights up even more during the Christmas festive season. In addition to the seasonal decorations, it offers themed-night events, live dealers, and poker tournaments.
Casino Baden
Casino Baden is another option if you missed out on getting a vacation spot in Vienna. Baden is regarded as a spa town, offering tourists multiple spots for relaxation and wellness. Likewise, Casino Baden provides a relaxing atmosphere, hosting multiple events and shows that appeal to different people.
Overall, a trip to Vienna would be incomplete without recounting a visit to the prestigious Spittelberg Christmas Market or the Christkindlmarkt to enjoy some local shopping experience. The average daily spending is estimated at $200. A chunk of that amount will go into hotel accommodation, food, and basic necessities. Of course, you may spend more visiting any of these casinos.
Fun Vienna Casino Fact
Can you guess who ‘played’ in the famous Casino Wien before you did?
Casino Wien, is Vienna’s oldest casino and is housed in the Palais Esterházy, a 17th-century barique palace where Mozart and Beethoven once performed. Today, the casino combines gambling with classical music concerts in its historic and elegant halls.
Monaco – Where Fortunes Are Made Under The Riviera Sun
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Monaco is an excellent destination for tourists all year round. But the feeling is entirely different during Christmas. The city takes a new look as it turns into a winter wonderland, providing a different experience, particularly for Aussies looking to enjoy something different.
During winter, its unique Mediterranean climate makes your experience unusual. You don’t get the same harsh cold as in many other cities. This makes it perfect for tourists to explore the beautiful city, lined with tall palms on the streets adorned with bright Christmas lights.
Wrap up your experience with a trip to the glamorous Casino de Monte-Carlo to catch a glimpse of its Belle Epoque architectural design. Everything feels different, with attention to detail making it a reference point for entertainment and gaming.
Why It’s a Convenient Destination
Monaco is all about luxury shopping, gambling and world-class dining. On top of this, it’s also home to glamorous events like the Monaco Grand Prix.
Casino De Monte-Carlo
The unique architectural design and ambiance of the Casino De Monte-Carlo is often a subject of discussion among many. It is often a reference point and ranks among the finest casinos worldwide. Monegasques are not allowed access to the casino, meaning that it is specially designed to host foreigners. Hence, it is unsurprising that it receives millions of visitors annually.
Casino Cafe De Paris
One of the most striking things about Casino Cafe de Paris is its location. It sits next to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, and opposite the Hotel de Paris. Casino Café is famous for its state-of-the-art slot machines. There are 480, with many unique options that cannot be found anywhere else. Here are some of the major highlights of this historic casino in the heart of Monaco.
Fun Monaco Casino Fact
Did you know that the iconic Monte Carlo Casino was featured in several James Bond films, including GoldenEye. Interestingly, Monaco’s residents aren’t allowed to gamble there. It collects its gaming revenue solely from tourists.
London, Uk – Where Elegance Rolls The Dice
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London is another city that offers tourists the perfect blend of contemporary and classical festive experiences. Aussies will enjoy the rich ambiance and Christmas feeling across locations like Regent and Oxford Street.
The city is adorned with beautiful decorations and twinkling lights that radiate a festive cheer. The Winter Wonderland is packed with thousands of tourists looking to experience its magical scenery and many Christmas-themed activities. You can enjoy events like real ice slides, magical ice kingdom, ice skating, and the giant wheel ride.
Your Christmas casino holiday in London will certainly be incomplete until you visit the best casinos in the city. A standout location is the Hippodrome Casino, arguably the biggest and busiest. Open all day, you can spice up your vacation by playing your favorite games.
Why It’s a Convenient Destination
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, The London Eye, Tower Bridge… Do we need to say more? London’s casinos are nestled amidst some of the most iconic landmarks of the world.
Hippodrome Casino
Hippodrome Casino, located in the famous Leicester Square, is the biggest and busiest in the entire city of London. While there are a few other options, this is undoubtedly one you should plan to visit.
The Ritz Club
The Ritz Club is an exclusive casino based in London. It is open only to guests of the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel. So, you might want to consider this option to enjoy unrestricted access to all its services.
Fun London Casino Fact
Did you know that London’s Hipodrome Casino once hosted a circus and a theater before becoming a casino? Now it’s famous for combining gaming and live entertainment, boasting a history that includes performances by Harry Houdini – Talking about being ‘trapped’ in the casino!
Switzerland – Where Luxury Meets The Edge of The Alps
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Dreaming of a Swiss Xmass? Switzerland is a perfect holiday destination if you enjoy nature and adventure. It features many breathtaking landscapes of lush greenery and mountain views. The numerous countryside settings make it ideal for Aussies looking to take some time out of the noise and busy cities to enjoy some quiet moments.
The country has many attraction points, making it a top destination for millions of tourists each year. Especially during Christmas, the snowy mountain peaks and landscapes are suitable for skiing, winter hiking, and snowboarding.
Towns like St. Moritz and the Montreux Christmas Market offer unique holiday-themed aura and local treats for tourists.
Planning a Christmas casino holiday in Switzerland is tricky. It is not famous for gambling, so you might want to consider all the available options. Casino Barriere Montreux, Casino St. Moritz, Casino Zurich, and Grand Casino Baden are among the most popular options.
Why It’s a Convenient Destination
If you love the rush and excitement of games like blackjack, roulette, or baccarat, you’ll likely also enjoy the adrenaline of winter sports such as skiing, hiking or snowboarding. Switzerland is the ultimate destination, combining world-class casinos with breathtaking Alpine adventures.
Casino Barriere Montreux
Located in the picturesque town of Montreux, Casino Barriere Montreux is one of the most popular options in Switzerland. Its location along the shores of Lake Geneva makes it a perfect destination for a Christmas casino holiday.
Casino St. Moritz
Casino St. Moritz is located at one of the highest points in Switzerland at an altitude of 1833m above sea level. Besides offering a variety of casino games, these resorts are also integral to your experience as they provide multiple viewpoints of the Alps and beautiful Swiss landscape.
Fun Switzerland Casino Fact
Did you know that Switzerland is home to one of the highest-altitude casinos in the world? Casino St. Moritz sits at an elevation of 1,822 meters (5,978 feet) in the Alps – Now that are ‘high’ stakes!
Making The Most of Your Casino Holiday Getaway
Planning a specific Christmas casino holiday can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Below are some valuable tips to consider as you work out the modalities for your next overseas holiday:
- Plan early
- Book in advance
- Research the weather
- Pack the right clothes
- Learn the basic language
- Explore accommodation options
- Research the best offline and online casinos in the area
And if you’re not planning a Christmas vacation this year after all, you can always kick back and enjoy some classic online pokies, all while soaking up Australia’s warm, festive summer weather!
