7 Casinos First-Time Las Vegas Visitors Should Avoid

There are more than 100 casinos in the city of Las Vegas. Sometimes, it can be tough to decide where to begin.

That’s especially true for first-time visitors. Las Vegas is one of the best gambling destinations in the world. Without any past experiences to rely on, beginners can easily find themselves at a lesser casino.

When figuring out where to gamble, the decision should come down to a few factors. If you want to make money, you should stick to casinos and resorts known for the action on casino floors.

But if you’re simply trying to look for entertainment, the hierarchy of casinos in Vegas completely changes. Regardless of your intentions, there are several establishments you should avoid entirely.

Here are the seven casinos gamblers should stay away from during their first trip to Las Vegas.

1 ‒ Circus Circus

Circus Circus is well-known as the most family-friendly casino and resort in the city. Unless you go to Vegas with children, there is virtually no rational reason to pick this casino over others.

The casino itself is somewhat outdated and is typically full of families and children. That’s not necessarily the worst thing in the world for some people, but it can be a mild hindrance.

Inside Circus Circus, patrons can find arcade games, Circus Acts, and an amusement park. Outside, the resort also features a water park.

Once again, if you are bringing your entire family, there’s really no better place for you in the city. But the gambling at Circus Circus leaves something to be desired.

One of the main issues with Circus Circus is the high volume of potential sources of distraction. It can be challenging to get settled into a table game if you’re surrounded by screaming children all day.

2 ‒ The Tropicana

The Tropicana, located near the South end of the Las Vegas Strip, seems to be one of the most polarizing casinos in Las Vegas. Fans of the old school feel of Vegas will rally around this relic, while supporters of innovation bemoan its current state.

The Tropicana is quite affordable and located near some quality casinos. But its lower price point and location don’t make up for some of its shortcomings.

From a gambling perspective, the Tropicana has one of the worst casinos on the Strip. The slot machines are out of date, the casino floor seems rundown, and there aren’t a wide variety of table games to choose from.

This casino and resort are constantly being worked on, yet there is very little to show. Additionally, many patrons often complain about the poor quality of customer service.

With other casinos within walking distance, choosing to gamble at the Tropicana is almost unthinkable.

3 ‒ The Stratosphere

The Stratosphere is another casino and resort that appeals more to non-gamblers than tourists who are serious about winning money. The Strat features many attractions, including three “thrill rides” at the top of the resort.

The Stratosphere offers competitive prices and has several activities for visitors who aren’t old enough to gamble. In terms of real money gambling, there is a selection of cheaper table games the casino offers. But that’s where the positives end.

To start, the casino is nothing to write home about. The Strat recently went through a remodel that gave the place a much-needed facelift. But there are several better options around the city.

The casino floor is expansive and spacious but never really has that patented Vegas feel.

The worst part about this casino is its location, as it’s located on the northernmost edge of the Strip. That makes it somewhat challenging for new gamblers to casino hop when they’re in Vegas.

Unless you have a desire to check out the attractions atop the Strat, don’t go out of your way to visit it.

4 ‒ Mandalay Bay

Similar to the Stratosphere, Mandalay Bay’s location is one of its worst attributes. The casino and resort itself is beautiful but entirely out of the way.

First-time visitors should try to experience as much fun as possible, and Mandalay Bay is just the opposite. Most times, it’s somewhat calm and laid-back, catering to a more reserved crowd.

Additionally, this resort is somewhat more expensive than others around the city. I believe that most of your budget should be used to gamble, which is tougher to do at the Mandalay.

The casino doesn’t offer many affordable table games for first-time gamblers. Instead, it can be quite easy to lose money at a rapid clip.

Unlike the casinos listed above, the Mandalay Bay’s higher quality seems to work to its detriment.

This casino is located on the southern edge of the Strip, requiring gamblers to Uber or take the monorail to other casinos. Like the Stratosphere, it’s not worth your time going out of the way to gamble at the Mandalay Bay.

5 ‒ Excalibur

As I’ve alluded to in this post, if the best thing a casino has going for it is a gimmick, there’s always better alternatives. Excalibur is the best example of this contention.

If you’ve visited Las Vegas before, the Excalibur is probably one of the first casinos that caught your eye. It’s exterior resembles a medieval castle combined with a mini-golf course.

The Excalibur seems to catch visitors’ eyes in all the wrong ways. You might have heard the phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover.” But it’s perfectly appropriate to do so in this case.

While the exterior is loud and colorful in its design, the interior is somehow less inviting. The medieval castle theme dominates the interior decorating and gives the sense that you walked smack dab in the middle of a renaissance fair.

That might appeal to some, but for the most part, it’s gimmicky and distracting. The casino’s location is fine, but the atmosphere and aura of the casino lacks in authentic excitement.

Several parts of the casino and resort seem cheap and outdated. With better options in the general vicinity, the Excalibur should stay on the outside looking in.

6 ‒ OYO Hotel and Casino

In 2019, ownership at the Hooters Casino Hotel changed. Like its eponymous chain restaurant, the casino gave off eerily similar vibes, and new ownership decided it was time to rebrand.

Hooters was certainly consistent in what it offered to patrons. If visitors wanted to gamble and drink on a budget, Hooters was one of the best gambling destinations.

Since its rebrand, not much has changed. The casino is incredibly small, and the entire resort seems like it’s in desperate need of a complete renovation.

Minor improvements are noticeable around the resort, but there’s still tons of work to be done—that is, if this casino has any desire to outgrow its reputation.

7 ‒ Any Luxury Casino

Some of you may find this point somewhat controversial, but let me explain. One of the biggest mistakes first-time Vegas-goers make is to gamble at one of the famous, luxurious casinos in Vegas.

Let me be clear: There’s nothing wrong with walking through some of these casinos. Vegas is home to some of the most beautiful casinos in the world. The likes of the Wynn, Venetian, MGM Grand, and others are world-class establishments.

However, there’s a difference between a quick walkthrough and attempting to gamble at one of these casinos.

It can be exceedingly intimidating to sit down and gamble at a high stakes table in Vegas — unless, of course, money isn’t an issue for you.

I find it to be challenging to get comfortable when gambling at any of the luxury casinos around the city. The point of going to Vegas is to have fun and give yourself a chance to make some money.

It’s challenging for new gamblers and first-timers to do either of those at the higher-end casinos in Las Vegas.

Conclusion

With over 130 casinos to choose from around Las Vegas, there’s no reason to waste your time at a bad casino. The decision of which casino to gamble at should come down to a few factors.

If you’re new to Vegas and want to have as much fun as possible, you should try to find casinos to match that energy. But if you’re going to make a run at winning money, there are different options abound.

Whatever your purpose might be, there are several casinos that you should avoid on your first trip.

Casinos like Circus Circus and Excalibur are fair choices for families, but aren’t worth your time if you intend to gamble. The gimmicks at both of these casinos can get old rather quickly.

Others, like the Strat and Tropicana, are both in desperate need of renovations. On the other hand, you have places like Mandalay Bay, one of the nicest casinos on the Strip’s south side. While it is undoubtedly of a higher quality, its more mellow vibe and location make it less preferable than other options.

Some of you might disagree with the suggestion to avoid luxury casinos during your first trip. Consider just doing a quick walkthrough instead of gambling at places like the Venetian and the Bellagio.