As society has become more welcoming towards the LGBTQ community, the demand for LGBTQ-friendly spots has grown. Today, there are cities that offer a vibrant, well-established, and well-known LGBTQ scene and the spaces in them provide a safe, nonjudgmental, non-discriminatory environment for LGBTQ members. Instead of being rejected and feeling isolated, LGBTQs find a place to socialise and share a sense of community and belonging.
One industry that caters to the LGBTQ community is the casino world. As time has gone by, these progressive establishments have rethought several policies and become more accessible. Although the LGBTQ community has always been welcome, some casinos are especially embracing it and greeting members with open arms. Below is a look at some of the world’s best LQBTQ-friendly casinos.
Luxor, Las Vegas
As you might expect, the Luxor, in Las Vegas, boasts an Egyptian theme which sees the venue showing off some stylish décor in the glitzy casino resort. It’s not just the hieroglyphics and shimmering gold that make this fantastic casino what it is for the LGBTQ community, however. The establishment hosts a weekly ‘Temptation Sunday’ pool party, as well as a fashion parade, and the chapel offers same-sex marriage services.
If you do want to play casino games while you’re there, the casino places 62 table games at your disposal, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and three-card poker. Should you be more of a high roller, there’s a high limits gaming room, where slots, video poker, baccarat, and blackjack are available. You can also find slots elsewhere in the casino.
Great Canadian, Toronto
Canada is renowned for its tolerant attitude and is, of course, welcoming to LGBTQ couples, so it’s no surprise to see a Canadian casino on this list. Casino gaming has become popular in Canada, especially as provinces are starting to create their own online casino gaming markets to protect citizens from unscrupulous operators and profit from its popularity. The best online casinos in Canada are reviewed at sites like Casino.org, they have employed Jemma McColgan, an expert in the industry, with over a decade experience, so residents can get to grips with what’s what.
The popularity of online casinos means traditional casinos are doing everything in their power to attract players. In terms of LGBTQ-friendly casinos, Great Canadian Entertainment Toronto is one of the best. The casino is home to the most slots and electronic tables in Canada, offering more than 3,000 for players. Anyone looking for table games has 175 options, from classic table games to somewhat zanier variations. You can go high limits at 25 live tables or on one or more of more than 200 slots or tables. If poker’s more your thing, you can play standard limits or no limits.
Empire Casino, London
he Empire Casino, in Leicester Square, is minutes away from London’s famous gay district, Soho, and is perfect for LGBTQ members who want a little gaming before hitting the area’s gay pubs and clubs. This busy Vegas-style casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you don’t fancy sitting down to poker, there are plenty of other ways to stay entertained at the casino. Table-game wise, you can sit down to baccarat, three-card poker, American roulette, and blackjack, which you can also play in the high-stakes Dragon Lounge. You can also play slots, either in the casino or in the dedicated slots room. Of course, you don’t have to play at all and can sit with your beau in the Icon Balcony Bar, taking in the views, or book a cosy booth at Kings Sports Bar and follow a big game.
Mohegan Sun, Connecticut
Mohegan Sun isn’t a great place to play casino games and just relax. Aesthetically, the venue is simply gorgeous, showing off fine architectural skill in the form of the Planetarium Dome, which features ever-changing fibre optics, combined with the lighting of the multilevel VISTA Lounge at Wombi Rock, and the River Blue Sculpture, which towers 25 feet high above guests. You can also enjoy free gigs at the Wolf’s Den or go all-out and see big names at the main concert arena, the 10,000 seater Mohegan Arena.
If you’re going for the casino, you can play at one of the venue’s three casinos and will find a range of slots and table games. If you prefer Asian-style poker, you can play pai gow, mini baccarat, and sic bo at the Casino of the Earth’s Sunrise Square. If you like more traditional games, you can play at one of 33 poker tables. If slots are more your thing, you can play them here or in the Casino of the Sky, where you’ll also find the Cabaret Theatre.
Casinos, like many other establishments, understand the demand for LGBTQ spots, and the venues above step up happily to meet it. Other casinos you may wish to try include Planet Hollywood, in Las Vegas, and the Renaissance Casino, in Oranjestad, the capital of the Caribbean island of Aruba.