The stereotypical image of a casino is one of an imposing gaming floor with grandiose features and glamorous decor. But that’s not the case everywhere, as you’re about to discover. In this article, we’ll take a trip to some of the smallest casinos in the world. They’re charming, they’re quirky, but above all, they’re tiny!
Want a break from online casino games? Fancy trying something a little different? Then make sure you add these minuscule venues to your bucket list.
North Cadbury Court, United Kingdom
The county of Somerset, in the southwest of England, is well-known for its beautiful countryside and historic architecture. One such building is the magnificent North Cadbury Court, an impressive 16th-century stately home built by Sir Francis Hastings.
Nowadays, North Cadbury Court is mainly used for corporate functions, weddings and other private parties. And it’s not hard to see why, given the picturesque setting. But deep in the basement of this historic site lies a small casino capable of hosting just 30 people.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to simply walk in and play, as you’ll need to hire the entire venue beforehand. But when you do, the owners bring in a fully-trained professional to act as croupier and host your party for the evening. Although there are no slots, you can enjoy classic table games, including roulette and poker.
Saloon #10, South Dakota
The grimly named US city of Deadwood, South Dakota is famous for its ties to the gold rush. But it’s probably best known for being the site of the gambling world’s most famous story. In Saloon #10, an old-style bar that wouldn’t look out of place in a Western, James Butler Hickok was shot dead.
Better known as ‘Wild Bill,’ Hickok was involved in a poker game at the saloon on August 2, 1876. He was supposedly holding two pairs — aces and 8s — when Jack McCall burst in and shot him dead. The two had played the day before, with McCall suffering heavy losses, which was one suggested motive for the murder.
Today, the site of the infamous shooting is still open to the public as a whiskey bar and, effectively, a museum. But it’s also possible to play casino games here, thanks to a 300-square-foot casino containing just 75 slots and four blackjack tables.
Deltin Caravela Casino, India
Known as a chain of hotels across India, Deltin has three “flotels” based in Goa. Although these ships vary in size, one thing they have in common is that each has a casino on board. But the Deltin Caravela is the smallest of the three, situated on the Mandovi River.
Despite its lack of stature compared to other cruise ships, Deltin Caravela still offers a luxurious experience. Stay in one of eight rooms at this premium 4-star venue, which promises world-class amenities, including a spa and restaurant.
If you’re looking to enjoy some casino games, you’ll find around 100 seats at 17 different tables. These include baccarat, roulette and blackjack, as well as Indian favorites such as Teen Patti.
Wildfire Casino and Lanes, Las Vegas
No list would be complete, whether the biggest casinos in the world or the smallest, without mentioning Las Vegas. So let’s put that right with the next venue in our compilation.
Wildfire Casino and Lanes is named as such because it’s really a bowling alley. But alongside the 18 lanes of ten-pin action, patrons can also indulge in a spot of gambling. Well, it is Vegas after all!
Clocking in at around 10,000 square feet, the casino floor contains around 200 different slots but, unfortunately, no table games. Machines on display include several progressive jackpot games, as well as several good old-fashioned video poker titles.
Macau Palace, China
Wrapping up our top five list of the smallest casinos in the world is the Macau Palace floating casino in, erm, Macau. This beautifully-designed pagoda is moored in the special administrative region’s Outer Harbor and has an 11,120-square-foot gaming floor.
Visitors can enjoy over 50 slot machines and a dozen or so table games. In addition to Western favorites like blackjack and roulette, it’s also possible to play Fan Tan, Sic Bo and Fish Prawn Crab, a popular dice game.
Unfortunately, though, this petite casino looks likely to remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the region’s strict COVID-19 regulations.
Honorable Mentions
That wraps up our rundown of the world’s smallest casinos, but here are a few notable mentions that just missed the cut.
Slots-A-Fun Casino, Las Vegas
This Las Vegas venue with a 17,000 square-foot gaming floor frequently appears on lists of the planet’s smallest casinos. First opened in August 1971, it now features a bowling alley and bar, along with several slots and electronic gaming machines.
But in truth, it’s actually located within the much bigger Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. This legendary property has a total gaming area of 123,928 square feet. So in our eyes, Slots-A-Fun can’t possibly make the list!
Santa Ysabel Casino, California
Located in San Diego, California, Santa Ysabel was a tribal casino situated on the Palomar Mountain hiking trail. With a minuscule gaming area of just 600 square feet, this tiny slot arcade wasn’t much bigger than an apartment.
But although it often comes up in discussions about the smallest casinos, it actually closed down back in 2014. These days, the property sells cannabis-based medicines.
Grosvenor Taxi Cab, United Kingdom
A well-known chain of casinos in the UK, Grosvenor owns around 50 properties across the country. In 2016, the brand launched a three-week-long marketing campaign in Birmingham featuring legendary England cricketer Phil Tufnell and a traditional British taxi.
The cab would pick up passengers, offering them refreshments and games of chance. A single blackjack table was installed in the back, along with a drinks cabinet and, of course, a professional dealer.
There’s Nothing Tiny About BetMGM
What these casinos lack in size, they more than make up for in charm, history and quirkiness. If you’re a fan of casino gaming, they’re certainly worth a visit.
But one thing that’s not tiny is BetMGM’s library of online casino games. We have everything from online slots and bingo to poker, blackjack and roulette. Register to play your favorite casino games online from the comfort of your own home — whatever size it may be!
