It’s always a fun and exciting experience visiting the casino. There is the promise of meeting Lady Luck, overcoming the odds and winning big. There is also an energetic and immersive atmosphere on the casino floor. The casino offers excitement for seasoned pros, but their focus could be on specific casino table games. On the other hand, it can be an overwhelming experience for novices if they’re not prepared for it, even though the jackpot slots may be tempting.
If you’ve entered a casino a handful of times, you’ll know that it can be a stimulating but intimidating environment. The lights and sounds of the machines, the exuberant decor and the feeling that everyone knows what they’re doing can all make you unsure of what to do at a casino at first.
Most people will default to the slots first. The game seems easy enough: you put your money in to start the spin and then tell it to stop. Practicing online casino jackpot slots before going to the casino can also help – it may seem more comfortable compared to sitting in front of a staff member at a table. In truth, slots can have a relatively high house edge, even going up to 12%. That means that for every $100 spent, the casino expects to pay $88 back to customers. Blackjack, for example, has a house edge of between 0.5% and 2%, which means that your chances of winning are higher in blackjack than with slot machines. Knowing how to play casino games will definitely help with your confidence when you enter the casino floor wherever you go, even at the most remote casino destinations.
Not every casino experience is like the movies, though. Once you’ve settled into the environment, you might tire from the high energy and excitement of the casino floor. You won’t necessarily be rolling the dice in a craps game with 30 people crowded around the table and singing your name.
Instead, you might want to take a breather and explore other casino activities besides gambling. Perhaps the person you arrived with has just begun another poker game and looks very comfortable in their chair. Thankfully, when thinking of how to pass the time at a casino, the house edge is very much in your favor.
The best casinos will always offer more than just games. Many casinos have their own hotels, restaurants and event venues on the premises. These venues will host live entertainment, celebrity customers and world-class chefs. You’re spoiled for choice when deciding what to do at a casino. Here are some of the ways that you can enjoy your time at a casino without gambling.
Evenings at the casino
Just like choosing the best casino games to play can be difficult, so too is choosing what casino entertainment you’d like to experience first. With myriad things to do at a casino, you won’t be short of ideas on how to pass the time.
Before you make your way to the first entrance, there are a few things you’ll need to consider. First of all, how much time do you have? Are you only there for an hour or for several? Are you staying over at the hotel? Knowing how long you have should influence your decision as you won’t be able to cram everything in.
Spending the night at a casino is the best way to get the full casino experience. It allows you to have the entire evening to explore, watch live shows at casino venues and enjoy the facilities. It takes the pressure off maximizing your time on the casino floor. You will feel the freedom to come and go at leisure, realizing that the casino and all of its staff want you to have the best time possible.
When traveling, it is always worth exploring the casino options of the area. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of gambling, an evening at a top casino hotel is a unique experience. You might find that your favorite comedian has booked a series of casino shows. And who knows? You might even strike it big in the casino and pay for the entire night.
In general, the best casinos will have the following facilities:
- High-class hotels
- State-of-the-art live venues
- Fine-dining restaurants
- Relaxing spa facilities
Hotels
Casinos often are the epitome of luxury and their hotels are no different. You’ll be able to book bachelor, double and family rooms. Staying in the hotel will give your casino experience the perfect beginning and end.
When you arrive, you’ll be able to settle in, put your valuables away, have a shower and feel fresh. Walking into the casino after a long car drive is not the best way to enjoy yourself. It is always important to gamble responsibly – and gambling while tired is not a responsible decision. Having the option to shower or have a quick snooze will ensure that you are always in the best headspace in the casino.
The hotel also offers a space to take a break from all of the lights and sounds. You can retire to your room, watch TV and have a cold drink. If you’ve been on the casino floor, winning big or losing in succession, you might want to remove yourself from the environment to cool off. Once refreshed, you can head on down with a clear mind.
By the end of the evening, you might have sat at a casino table, watched one of your favorite comedians live, eaten a delicious meal and enjoyed a coffee at the bar. The option of returning to your hotel room with its crisp, clean bedding might be more enticing than sitting behind the wheel and driving home.
Spending time at a casino involves a lot of movement – you’ll be walking from game to game, table to table or venue to restaurant. By the end, your legs will want to take you to bed as soon as possible. For this reason alone, many people opt to stay the night at a casino hotel. Of course, ordering breakfast through room service the next morning doesn’t hurt either.
Live venues
If you’re deciding on what to do in Vegas if you don’t gamble, casinos often have entertainment venues on their premises for casino events. The bigger the casino, the better the entertainment venue. These venues could have anything between 1,000 and 5,000 seats. They will host casino events such as music, theater performances, stand-up comedy acts or even professional boxing and mixed martial arts matches.
You will almost always find a live music casino venue. The capacity of the venue allows for an intimate feel that is bigger than a club but smaller than a stadium. You’ll find some bigger musical acts book shows at casinos because they and their fans can stay the night in a place close to the venue. These casino concerts almost always sell out, so seeing what’s showing ahead of time is worth the effort.
Casino concerts aren’t limited to new musicians. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a true casino music roster if it didn’t have some sort of Elvis impersonation, performance or tribute show. The King of Rock ‘n Roll’s music fits hand-in-hand with casinos after his historic performances in Las Vegas. Watching an Elvis tribute show at a casino is always a fulfilling experience.
If you’re not that musically inclined, there’s always a variety of shows at casino venues. Comedians regularly book shows at casino theaters since the venue size is larger than most comedy clubs. These performances can be by stand-up comedians, a casino theater group and actors who want to experiment with the live format rather than film.
Alternatively, casino events also include dancing performances and touring circus acts. Burlesque shows, along with other forms of physical performance theater, are a firm favorite at casinos. Everything is professional, so don’t expect a seedy experience.
Finally, casino events will include sports as well. Most of the top professional boxing matches are hosted at a casino venue. The rise in popularity of UFC and mixed martial arts has also drawn crowds from far and wide.
These shows and performances are usually an hour or longer, so spending a full evening at the casino will help you fit them in while still having enough time on the casino floor.
Restaurants
Top casinos will make sure to house top restaurants on the premises. In keeping with an establishment centered on wealth and eloquence, restaurants will offer sumptuous meals and a fine-dining experience. You’ll find award-winning chefs and restaurants that cater to almost any dietary need.
After hours at the casino tables, with all the nerves and excitement, a great meal is the perfect way to settle into the evening. It’s a great way for friends and family to reflect and talk about their experiences on the casino floor. If you’re traveling alone, it is also a great place to meet people. Some casino restaurants, like sushi bars, create an inclusive atmosphere for lone travelers.
It is important to know whether you plan to return to the casino floor after the restaurant. If you enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with your meal, you should probably not return to the casino tables. Drinking and gambling should never be mixed if you wish to gamble responsibly. It impairs your judgment and you could lose any winnings you’ve made.
Spa facilities
Casino floors can be a stressful experience for some. The pressure of making the right call or selecting the right bet could be the difference between winning big or depleting your bankroll.
Your body carries your stress and anxiety and you might find that your neck and shoulders feel slightly tight after an extended session at the slots. Getting in the car at that point might not be the wisest idea. Instead, why not get a relaxing massage or stay in a sauna? Casinos will often have full spa facilities on the premises, including a barbershop and a salon.
A casino’s website will often showcase all of its spa facilities, including its spa package deals. Browsing these before going to a casino is worth it as you might find a value-for-money package.
A few hours at the casino
If you’re not planning on spending an evening at the casino, there are still many ways to enjoy yourself at a casino. It might not involve going to a casino concert or spending an hour or two in the spa, but you will still be able to find different forms of entertainment in the casino. You can also indulge in some of the best casino games to play on the go!
People-watching
People-watching at a casino can be a fulfilling experience on its own. Heading to the craps table and watching someone play can be exciting. Sure, you’re not standing to win or lose anything, but the person playing is. You’ll get to see them experience the highs and lows of a casino game.
Take a walk around the casino floor and have a look at the different casino table games. It’s no secret that over half a million viewers watch the World Series of Poker annually. Seeing a winning card being revealed can be a thrilling experience.
Perhaps the one place you shouldn’t people-watch is around the slot machines – well, at least not for too long. Some players believe you need to play a slot for a long time before it gives a winning combination. If a player thinks you are waiting for them to stand up so that you can continue with the same slot machine, they may think you are trying to profit off their hard work.
Aside from slots, you can take your time to explore the floor, find the high-stakes games and notice how many interesting people and their emotions are on display.
Bars
Casinos will often have excellent bars and lobbies on the premises. Some casinos even have nightclubs and host private parties. Casino bars often require evening attire, so it’s worth dressing smartly when heading to a casino.
The bars are a great place to meet people and socialize. You might find professionals on working trips, parents, friends on a road trip or someone like yourself. The cocktails will be flowing and the conversations always promise to be interesting.
You might learn about different blackjack strategies, how the house edge and return percentages are calculated or the software behind most online casinos. Alternatively, you could also have the usual conversations about work, hobbies and current affairs.
As with a restaurant, you should have already decided whether you’re returning to the casino floor after the bar. Drinking and gambling are strongly advised against and a drunk gambler is a recipe for financial ruin.
If you only have a few hours to kill and you’ve had your fill of the casino games, rather cash out and enjoy the bar for the rest of your time there. If you’re driving, drink a cool drink and enjoy the conversations.
Decor
Casinos are kitted out with exuberant decor. If you have an hour to kill, take a walk through the premises and look closely at the decor. You might be surprised by how interesting and well-planned it is.
Some casinos could have some rare artworks or sculptures sourced from around the world. You might even find that some casinos have an art gallery or jewelry store inside the premises. Explore the casino and let yourself appreciate the effort put into the decor.
Visit Borgata Hotel Hotel
You are bound to find the best real-money casino games, entertainment and hotel amenities at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. This behemoth of a casino offers sensational casino and poker table games, so whether you’re still learning to play casino games or are a professional, you’re sure to find something you like. The wealth of hotel-casino amenities ensures that you won’t run out of things to do. You can sunbathe at the outdoor pool, get a relaxing massage at the spa and get some retail therapy – all in one place.
Online Casino
Casinos are not for everyone. Some may prefer to learn more about and play casino games without all the glitz and glamor. Others might find the lights and sounds overwhelming. If any of this sounds like you, an online casino might be ideal.
The ability to play casino games online, such as online roulette, means you can experience the best online casino from the comfort of your own home. You can enjoy the restaurant experience of your own home-cooked meals, the spa facilities of your bathtub and the music experience of your own home entertainment system. You can also make casino-inspired cocktails and have a proper casino floor experience.
Real money is won and lost in an online casino, just like in a brick-and-mortar casino. The software involved ensures that the games are just as thrilling and fair. In fact, the return percentage in an online casino is higher than in a land-based casino.
Most of the best casinos have launched platforms for you to enjoy online casino games and free online casino apps that you can download for your smartphone or tablet. When you create an account, you’ll often receive a welcome bonus, including matching your initial deposit. You could then use this welcome bonus to win real money online.
When selecting an online casino app, make sure that the app is from a real online casino that is registered and licensed by a reputable gambling regulatory body. It is best to go with an online casino app from an established casino. Borgata, the biggest casino in New Jersey, has a fully licensed online casino app for their online casino. You’ll get to make your at-home casino experience feel legit.
Start your online casino journey at Borgata Online
At Borgata Online, you’ll get to play the top online casino slots and live dealer online casino games. Simply register at Borgata Online and start playing your favorite casino games at one of the best online casinos in the USA!