This article is intended as a fun piece for those who occasionally like to gamble. If you have a gambling addiction/problem, please consider getting professional counseling.

It’s time for a night out on the town, and you want to try something new and exciting. If you are up for a risk, or entertainment and a fun restaurant, you might consider hitting up a casino! While many states regulate commercial casinos, there are plenty of places in the country where you can find interesting casino culture. If you live near one of these places, go ahead and try it out! Take a look at what specific casinos offer, so you can ensure a fun and intriguing time.

Chill

Not all casinos are the big, fancy ones we see in films like Ocean’s Eleven. There are plenty of smaller, “dive”-like casinos that have local regulars and fun games. Keep an eye out for what the regulars are playing, and follow their lead. These types of casinos are often quieter and a bit more laid-back, so if you want to avoid sensory overload, you might try a couple of these out.

Wild

At the opposite end of the spectrum are those famous, enormous casinos. These are packed with patrons playing high-roller games, but a lot of visitors will be like you: people who just want to try it out for fun. You’ll find basically all the slots and table games you could be interested in, and they generally are in good working order and are about as “fair” as gambling games can be. These casinos are usually tied to massive hotels, and they feature exquisite restaurants and flashy live shows. A lot of celebrities perform (and even play!) at casinos, particularly in Las Vegas but also in other casinos outside of the major urban centers, so you could see acts like Wang Chung, Britney Spears, and Liberace. If you’re seeking something high-energy and pleasantly overwhelming, try something like this

The fun stuff in between

There are also casinos that land somewhere in the middle, which is great for checking one out for the first time. Casinos like Coos Bay Casino in Oregon offer table games and slots, as well as nice lodging and multiples restaurants and bars. They are high-energy and snazzy without completely overwhelming you. Sometimes these casinos market themselves as travel casinos; Coos Bay hosts an RV park, so you have the opportunity to meet all sorts of people from around the country.

Your gambling style

While ambience and other amenities offered are probably the most important thing you want to focus on, it can also be fun to figure out what games you’re into most.

Gambling possibilities include:

  • Slots
  • Blackjack
  • Roulette
  • Craps
  • Poker
  • Spanish 21
  • Fortune pai gow
  • Lottery
  • Bingo and keno

…that should give you some idea! Try out the games, and when you find one that you think is particularly fun, explore other casinos that might offer this game. You might find that different games are more fun paired with certain atmospheres. Do watch out, though. Gambling can be addictive. Be sure that your trips to casinos aren’t too frequent and that you’re only there for the fun, not for the need to gamble. When you game responsibly, casino-ing can be a fun and unique way to have an adventure.