The global casino industry has evolved into a multi-billion dollar entertainment sector, with massive gaming complexes that redefine luxury, hospitality, and gaming experiences. When discussing the biggest casino in the world, size is measured by gaming floor space, and the competition among these entertainment giants is fierce. From the plains of Oklahoma to the glittering Cotai Strip in Macau, these destinations attract millions of visitors annually who seek the thrill of gaming combined with world-class amenities.
The largest casinos in the world are not merely gaming venues but comprehensive entertainment destinations featuring thousands of hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants, concert venues, golf courses, and shopping centers. Understanding what makes these properties the biggest requires examining their gaming floor space, total facilities, and the unique experiences they offer to guests from around the globe.
The Biggest Casino in the World: WinStar World Casino
WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, holds the undisputed title as the biggest casino in the world. With an impressive 600,000 square feet of total space and 370,000 square feet dedicated to gaming, WinStar surpasses all competitors in sheer size. Owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, this massive entertainment complex opened in 2003 and has undergone continuous expansion to maintain its position as the world's largest casino.
The casino's location near the Oklahoma-Texas border, approximately 120 miles south of Oklahoma City and one hour north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, provides strategic access to millions of potential visitors. This positioning has been crucial to WinStar's success, drawing guests from both Oklahoma and the heavily populated North Texas region.
Gaming Offerings at WinStar
WinStar World Casino features the most extensive collection of slot machines of any casino globally, with over 10,000 electronic gaming machines spread across its massive floor. The property offers 155 gaming tables featuring popular games including poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. The casino includes a 55-table poker room for serious card players and multiple high-limit rooms catering to premium guests seeking elevated stakes and exclusive environments.
The gaming floor is divided into themed plazas inspired by world cities including Beijing, Cairo, London, Madrid, New York, Paris, Rio, Rome, and Vienna. This unique design approach creates distinct atmospheres throughout the property, allowing guests to experience different environments as they move through the casino.
Hotel and Entertainment Facilities
WinStar World Casino Resort offers 1,495 hotel rooms across multiple towers. The main casino complex houses 1,395 rooms distributed among the Resort Tower with 395 rooms, and two Pool Towers with 500 rooms each. An additional offsite property, The Inn at WinStar, provides 100 additional rooms for guests seeking alternative accommodations.
The property's entertainment centerpiece is the 6,500-seat Global Event Center, which has hosted performances by internationally recognized artists including Jay Leno, Maroon 5, Kid Rock, Tony Bennett, ZZ Top, Lil Wayne, and many others. The venue serves as a major concert destination in the region, attracting guests who combine gaming with live entertainment experiences.
Dining and Amenities
WinStar features an extensive selection of dining options ranging from quick-service establishments to fine dining restaurants. Notable venues include Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, Kirby's Steakhouse, Dallas Cowboys Bar and Grill, and multiple international cuisine options. The property includes over 20 different dining establishments, ensuring guests have diverse culinary choices during their stay.
Additional amenities include the WinStar Golf Club, offering championship golf experiences, pool facilities, a full-service spa, shopping venues, and the Fun Town RV Park for guests traveling in recreational vehicles. These comprehensive facilities transform WinStar from a simple casino into a complete destination resort.
The Venetian Macao: Second Largest Casino Globally
The Venetian Macao claims the position as the second-largest casino in the world with 546,000 square feet of gaming space. Located in Macau, China, this property represents the Asian expansion of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation's Venetian brand, bringing Venetian-inspired architecture and luxury to the Cotai Strip.
The property features 3,000 hotel rooms, making it one of the largest hotel operations in Asia. The Venetian Macao combines extensive gaming facilities with luxury accommodations, high-end shopping, and entertainment options that cater to the Asian gaming market's preferences while maintaining appeal to international visitors.
Gaming and Entertainment
The Venetian Macao offers hundreds of gaming tables and thousands of slot machines spread across its expansive gaming floor. The property caters to both mass-market players and VIP guests, with dedicated areas for high-limit gaming that attract premium players from throughout Asia and beyond.
Entertainment options include theaters hosting international shows, shopping galleries featuring luxury brands, and numerous dining venues offering cuisines from around the world. The property's design incorporates Venetian architectural elements including canal systems with gondola rides, creating a unique atmosphere that distinguishes it from other Macau properties.
MGM Cotai: Third Largest Casino Destination
MGM Cotai ranks as the third-largest casino in the world with 500,000 square feet of space. This property represents MGM Resorts International's significant investment in the Macau market, offering 1,400 hotel rooms and comprehensive gaming facilities designed to compete with other major Cotai Strip properties.
The casino features modern design elements and technology integration, appealing to younger demographics while maintaining traditional gaming offerings that attract established players. MGM Cotai includes extensive meeting and convention facilities, positioning the property as both a gaming destination and a business venue.
Macau's Dominance: Other Major Casino Properties
Macau's position as the world's premier gaming destination is reinforced by the presence of seven properties among the top ten largest casinos globally. Beyond The Venetian Macao and MGM Cotai, several other massive properties contribute to the region's gaming supremacy.
Wynn Palace
Wynn Palace offers 424,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space with 1,700 hotel rooms. The property features distinctive design elements including a large lake with fountain shows and a SkyCab gondola system that transports guests around the property. Wynn Palace caters to premium guests with luxury accommodations and high-limit gaming areas.
City of Dreams Macau
City of Dreams Macau provides 420,000 square feet of gaming space and 2,270 hotel rooms across multiple hotel brands within the complex. The property includes unique entertainment offerings such as the House of Dancing Water show, a spectacular water-based theatrical production that has become one of Macau's signature attractions.
Galaxy Macau
Galaxy Macau features 400,000 square feet of gaming space and 2,200 hotel rooms. The property includes extensive resort amenities including a wave pool, artificial beach, and multiple hotel towers offering different luxury levels. Galaxy Macau positions itself as a comprehensive resort destination appealing to families and gaming enthusiasts alike.
Wynn Macau and Ponte 16
Wynn Macau offers 294,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,010 hotel rooms, while Ponte 16 Macau provides 270,000 square feet of gaming facilities with 427 hotel rooms. These properties round out Macau's representation among the world's largest casinos, demonstrating the region's concentration of massive gaming facilities.
American Casino Giants Beyond WinStar
While WinStar World Casino dominates as the largest property globally, the United States hosts several other massive casino destinations that rank among the world's biggest gaming facilities.
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, offers 364,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,600 hotel rooms. This tribal casino property features three distinct casino areas, multiple entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat arena, and comprehensive dining and shopping options. Mohegan Sun serves the northeastern United States market, attracting visitors from Boston, New York, and throughout New England.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Foxwoods Resort Casino, located in Mashantucket, Connecticut, provides 344,000 square feet of gaming space and 2,228 hotel rooms. For many years, Foxwoods held the title of largest casino in the United States before being surpassed by WinStar's expansions. The property includes six casinos within the complex, each offering different gaming atmospheres and experiences.
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand in Las Vegas offers 170,000 square feet of gaming space, significantly smaller than the top-ranked properties but notable for its 5,044 hotel rooms, making it one of the largest hotels in the world. The property pioneered the concept of the mega-resort in Las Vegas, combining gaming with extensive entertainment, dining, and convention facilities.
European Casino Destinations
Europe's largest casino properties are considerably smaller than their American and Asian counterparts, but still represent significant gaming destinations within their markets.
Casino Lisboa
Casino Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal, offers 165,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,000 hotel rooms. The property serves as the largest casino hotel in Europe, featuring 1,000 gaming machines and 26 table games. Located in the Park of Nations area, Casino Lisboa attracts both international tourists and local players.
Other European Properties
Other notable European casinos include properties in Monaco, France, and the United Kingdom, though none approach the scale of the largest American and Asian destinations. European gaming regulations and market characteristics have resulted in smaller-scale operations compared to other global regions.
Revenue Leaders vs. Size Leaders
While size measured by gaming floor space provides one ranking metric, revenue generation offers a different perspective on casino performance. Properties like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Galaxy Macau, and Wynn Palace generate enormous revenues despite not necessarily ranking as the absolute largest by floor space.
Revenue performance depends on factors including location, customer demographics, average bet sizes, VIP gaming volume, and operational efficiency. Macau properties typically generate higher revenues per square foot than American properties due to the prevalence of high-stakes gaming and VIP play in the Asian market.
The Future of Mega-Casinos
The casino industry continues evolving with new mega-properties under development in emerging markets. Japan's recent legalization of integrated resorts promises new massive casino developments in cities like Osaka and Yokohama. Other Asian markets including Thailand and Vietnam are considering expanded gaming legalization that could result in new mega-casino developments.
Technology integration, changing customer preferences, and competition from online gaming are influencing how new casino properties are designed and operated. Future mega-casinos will likely emphasize comprehensive entertainment experiences, luxury accommodations, and non-gaming amenities to attract younger demographics and differentiate from online alternatives.
Conclusion
WinStar World Casino's position as the biggest casino in the world by gaming floor space represents the culmination of strategic expansion and investment by the Chickasaw Nation. With 600,000 square feet of total space and over 10,000 slot machines, WinStar significantly exceeds all competitors in sheer size. However, Macau's concentration of seven properties among the top ten largest casinos demonstrates that region's dominance in the global gaming industry.
These massive entertainment complexes represent billions of dollars in investment and attract millions of visitors annually seeking world-class gaming experiences combined with luxury accommodations, fine dining, and live entertainment. As the global casino industry continues growing toward projected values exceeding 540 billion dollars by 2033, competition among these mega-properties will intensify, potentially resulting in even larger developments in emerging markets.
Whether measured by gaming floor space, total property size, hotel room count, or revenue generation, the world's largest casinos represent the pinnacle of the gaming and hospitality industries, offering experiences that extend far beyond traditional gambling to encompass comprehensive entertainment destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest casino in the world by gaming floor space?
WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, is the biggest casino in the world with 600,000 square feet of total space and 370,000 square feet dedicated to gaming. The property features over 10,000 slot machines and 155 gaming tables.
How many of the world's largest casinos are located in Macau?
Seven of the top ten largest casinos in the world are located in Macau, China. These include The Venetian Macao, MGM Cotai, Wynn Palace, City of Dreams Macau, Galaxy Macau, Wynn Macau, and Ponte 16 Macau.
Which casino has the most slot machines in the world?
WinStar World Casino has the most slot machines of any casino globally, with over 10,000 electronic gaming machines spread across its massive gaming floor divided into themed plazas.
What is the largest casino in Las Vegas?
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is among the largest casinos in Las Vegas with 170,000 square feet of gaming space. However, it is significantly smaller than the world's largest casinos, with WinStar World Casino being more than three times larger.
How does casino size affect the gaming experience?
Larger casinos typically offer more gaming variety with thousands of slot machines and hundreds of table games, providing greater selection and availability. They also feature comprehensive amenities including multiple restaurants, entertainment venues, hotels, and recreational facilities that create destination resort experiences.
What is the projected growth rate for the global casino industry?
The global casino industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6 to 7 percent, reaching between 540 and 560 billion dollars by 2033. This growth rate significantly exceeds projected global GDP growth.
Are the largest casinos also the highest revenue generators?
Not necessarily. While size provides gaming capacity, revenue depends on factors including location, customer demographics, average bet sizes, and VIP gaming volume. Some smaller properties in premium locations generate higher revenues per square foot than larger facilities.
What amenities do the world's largest casinos typically offer beyond gaming?
The world's largest casinos function as integrated resorts offering thousands of hotel rooms, dozens of restaurants ranging from quick-service to fine dining, concert venues and theaters, shopping centers, spas, golf courses, pools, and convention facilities creating comprehensive entertainment destinations.