The World’s Craziest Casinos (and How to Win a Luxury Casino Cruise at Sea)

_{Think you’ve seen it all in Vegas? Think again. (Image: Constanța Casino)}

Here at Casinos.com, August is Casino Cruises and Holidays Month, and we’re marking the occasion with a giveaway for a 7-night luxury cruise featuring an onboard casino. While you wait to see if you’re the lucky winner, we’ve pulled together a list of some of the most unusual casinos in the world.

These aren’t just places to gamble; they’re destinations worth traveling for. From icy cocktail lounges to rainforest retreats, here are some of the coolest casinos on the planet.

Ready to play on‑board? Enter to win our a 7-night luxury cruise!

Sky Casino Genting, Malaysia – A Casino in the Clouds

Perched in Malaysia’s Titiwangsa Mountains, Casino de Genting operates at 6,000 feet above sea level. It’s the country’s only legal land-based casino, with more than 3,000 slot machines and over 400 gaming tables open around the clock. 

_{The only place where you gamble above the house. (Image: Resorts World Genting)}

The resort setting makes it just as popular with tourists as it is with gamblers, offering a full mountain escape. The combination of crisp mountain air and high-stakes tables makes it one of the most atmospheric gaming destinations you’ll ever visit.

Desert Cave Hotel Casino, Australia – The Underground Casino

In Coober Pedy, a mining town known for its opals, the Desert Cave Hotel Casino is built entirely underground. The sandstone walls keep out the desert heat, and guests can eat, sleep, and gamble below the surface. 

_{Down under… and then some. Would you dig this deep for a jackpot? (Image: Alexandre ROSA)}

Exploring the tunnels feels like stepping into another world, which makes it one of the most unique casinos anywhere. It’s as much an adventure in architecture as it is a place to play, giving visitors a taste of life beneath the desert floor.

Okada Manila, Philippines – Casino That Literally Makes Waves

The resort sits on Manila Bay with a huge gaming floor, luxury hotels, and fine dining, but its biggest claim to fame is The Fountain—the world’s largest multicolor dancing water fountain. The nightly shows, choreographed with lights and music, make this casino feel more like a world-class entertainment venue than just a place to gamble.

_{Don’t get distracted by the sparkle, the fountain is the real jackpot. (Image: Courtesy of Okada Manila)}

Honorable Mention: Imperial Hotel & Casino, Rason, North Korea

The Imperial Hotel & Casino in Rason has been closed since 2020, when the pandemic forced its shutdown.

_{Once open to tourists, now just another gamble lost to history. (Courtesy of Young Pioneer Tours)}

Once North Korea’s most luxurious casino, it catered exclusively to foreign visitors, mainly Chinese tourists, while locals were completely barred from entering. Its high minimum bets and lavish setting made it stand out, and today it remains an eerie, empty reminder of one of the world’s most unusual gambling venues.

These are some of the world’s craziest casinos, but we couldn’t resist imagining a few more. 

See more of the wildest fantasy casinos we wish were real on our Instagram.

Take Your Turn at the Tables (and at Sea)

From mountaintop resorts in Malaysia to floating lodges in the Amazon, the world is full of casinos that push the limits of location and design. They may not be household names like Las Vegas or Macau, but they show how creative and adventurous casinos can be.

And if you’re looking for your own adventure, remember that August is Casino Cruises and Holidays Month at Casinos.com. We’re giving readers the chance to win a 7-night luxury casino cruise filled with world-class gaming, fine dining, and entertainment at sea.

Feel the rush with free casino games inspired by chart-toppers!