Land-based casinos and integrated resorts
Physical casinos are still the largest part of the gambling industry in many countries. Most are licensed in small numbers, often through tenders, because governments use them to bring investment, tourism and tax revenue to chosen places.
How a casino makes money
- Slots and electronic games: the largest revenue line in most markets, with RTPs set within legal limits.
- Table games: roulette, blackjack and baccarat, where the house edge is fixed by the rules and the "drop" and "hold" measure the business.
- VIP and junket play: high-stakes customers, often with rebates on their losses; the most volatile and the most scrutinised segment.
- Non-gaming: hotels, restaurants, shows and conventions, which make integrated resorts less dependent on gambling.
Integrated resorts
Singapore licensed two integrated resorts in the 2000s and Macau's six concessionaires run the world's largest casino market. Japan's first resort is under development in Osaka, and the UAE's first, Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, is scheduled to open in spring 2027. See the Macau, Singapore, Japan and UAE pages.
Land-based and online together
In several markets an online licence is only available to holders of a land-based licence, as in Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland, which makes casino licences valuable for their online rights. Elsewhere land-based groups compete online under the same rules as everyone else.
Related: online casino, live dealer casino and the events calendar.
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