There’s nothing quite like going on a great vacation, getting away from our daily routine and doing something completely different, leaving our homes behind to explore new horizons. Not only is the experience believed to be good for our physical health, but it’s also said to be good for our mental wellbeing, as we focus entirely on the pursuit of leisure and leave the stresses of our occupations behind for a while.
Given that online gaming has become such a popular activity over the last decade or so, with the ability to enjoy casino games from the comfort of our own homes, that too has become the inspiration for vacations, as impressive resorts spring up in exotic locations around the world.
Using this as the theme for a vacation packed with excitement and the opportunity to discover something new, let’s take a look at two Asian countries aiming to attract gaming tourists with their own unique cultural flavor, along with a look at the “entertainment capital of the world” that inspired them.
Las Vegas – America’s Casino Culture Capital
First-time visitors to Las Vegas are usually filled with awe and excitement – some are even overwhelmed by just how much there is to take in. Even if you’ve visited before, this location is continually in a process of change and evolution, ensuring that anyone venturing there will never repeat the same experience twice. Likewise, with so much to see and do, it’s virtually impossible to experience everything the Nevada hotspot has to offer in one trip.
One of the keystones upon which Las Vegas has constantly prided itself is offering entertainment of every flavor and variety, meaning there’s always something to suit any taste – whether that’s sampling the finest cuisine from internationally acclaimed celebrity chefs, hitting the casinos, or taking in some of the diverse range of shows.
Musical stars of the past have always been popular here, but the city is now considered a modern music mecca for the younger generation, given that hip-hop star Drake has a residency with XS Nightclub at the Wynn Las Vegas resort. He is just one of many recent chart toppers such as Lady Gaga, Pitbull, and Gwen Stefani, with scheduled residency dates at different Las Vegas venues through 2019.
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Image Caption: Las Vegas: “The Entertainment Capital of the World”
Although such acts underline how Las Vegas is evolving more to cater to the rapidly increasing number of millennial visitors, some entertainment in the city almost seems like a permanent fixture. As they always have, the huge casinos still offer an abundance of gaming activity, from card games such as blackjack and poker in several variants to the dancing dice of craps or the bouncing ball in the roulette wheel and to slot machines of every theme you could possibly imagine.
Showcasing just how much the casino culture is impregnated in the very essence of this city, the latest and most innovative slot machine games are among the first things tourists will observe at McCarran International Airport when they arrive. Amongst them, you might even see slots featured around headline entertainment acts with resident shows in Las Vegas, such as uniquely comedic magical duo Penn and Teller at the Rio hotel, or the legendary Cirque du Soleil at the Mirage resort. Don’t be surprised to see slot games like these appearing soon at your favorite online casinos either, if they haven’t already.
Whether it’s visiting the fabled “Sin City” to enjoy gaming at the buzzing casinos, take in shows featuring some of the latest trending artists of music and the stage or as a base from which to explore the natural and man-made wonders in this part of Nevada, there’s certainly always something new to discover in and around Las Vegas.
South Korea – Gangnam Style
Given the ultra-modern and urban high-tech appearance of South Korea, especially the capital city of Seoul, it’s sometimes easy to forget this is a country steeped in history and tradition. Unmissable when visiting the city is taking in the magnificence of Gyeongbokgung Palace, enjoying the tranquility of Jogyesa Temple and the surrounding parks or admiring the traditional architecture strolling through Bukchon Hanok Village and delving into quaint little stores.
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Image Caption: The Urban Center of Gangnam in Seoul
Seoul is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife and the locals love to enjoy themselves, often visiting several destinations during a typical night out on the town. The most popular districts are Itaewon, Hongdae, and of course, the glistening urban center Gangnam. This location sparked an international craze with a “style” of its very own, which shows how much Koreans love to party and dance the night away.
If gaming is going to be part of your nighttime experience, it’s also in Gangnam where you’ll find the Seven Luck Casino, one of the largest gaming hotspots in South Korea and only open to foreign visitors. This is part of a grand overall complex in the center of town which includes the world-class InterContinental Seoul COEX hotel alongside Asia’s biggest basement shopping mall.
Japan – Rising Sun of Change
One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to Japan is usually choosing which part of the country to visit. There are so many natural wonders to discover, cultural and historical marvels to explore, or vibrant urban centers in which to immerse yourself. Deciding where to base a vacation brings up countless and equally wonderful options. One thing you won’t find in the Land of the Rising Sun yet are the integrated casino resorts that have already started appearing with such success in other countries around Asia.
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Image Caption: Historic Wakayama Castle in Provincial Japan
However, they are coming to Japan thanks to recent changes in legislature which promises to bring Las Vegas style gaming to three locations around the country. As they’re the biggest urban centers, Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka are expected to be at the forefront of bidding to be potential destinations. However, and perhaps more appealing for adventurous travelers, provincial areas like Hokkaido and Wakayama are also very keen to be chosen as integrated casino resort destinations.
It will certainly be well worth staying tuned to the bidding process for where the integrated resort casinos will be based, because Japan as a country never tends to do anything by halves, having already insisted that the chosen locations will boast some of the biggest and best entertainment facilities in the world. In the meantime, tourists visiting the country and keen to experience the Nippon equivalent of slot games we enjoy in the west, might want to try visiting the bustling Pachinko parlors.
Whichever these destinations takes your fancy, there’s always something new and different to enjoy. Don’t forget to do plenty of research before you travel and most of all, have a great time when you get there!
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