When the age of the internet dawned on humanity it seemed like some forms of entertainment were destined for the scrap heap, with video stores and the like all going that way.
Among those endangered dinosaurs were classic games such as card games and board games, many of which were predicted to fall by the wayside as people turned instead to first-person shooters and immersive open-world video games.
However, many of those predictions have since proved to be ill-founded, with many such games thriving both live, on the internet and in the palms of peoples’ hands via mobile devices.
Because of this renaissance in classic games, some of which date back thousands of years, we thought we would give a rundown of the ten best places in the world for old school gamers, who still want to engage in hands of blackjack, rounds of chess, and a spin or two of a good old slot machine.
Las Vegas
Whether you are looking to play live in one of Sin City’s enormous casino resorts or you want to enjoy the city’s other attractions but still game away online, Las Vegas, Nevada is still one of the best places to play classic games.
Although all the mainstream haunts such as the Bellagio and the Wynn are still ideal locations to game your days and nights away, it is the way Las Vegas has also adopted the online revolution that has really captured the eye.
This is evident with the development of innovative new apps such as My Vegas, which allows people to play classic games for free while at the same time winning tangible prizes with real-life value.
The other thing that sets Las Vegas apart from the rest is the wealth of gaming history and stories that exist up and down the strip, with everyone from valets to taxi drivers having a tale to tell about the best blackjack or craps players.
London
For centuries the English capital has been a hub for gamers, with everyone from locals to visiting tradesman often getting into competitive battles on the banks of the Thames. That culture still exists today, with the city boasting a plethora of gaming establishments.
For lovers of chess, there is one of the top five chess clubs in the world, in the shape of Battersea Chess Club, which has been operating since 1885.
If you prefer card and table games then there are no shortage of casinos to dip into, including the cavernous three-floor Hippodrome as well as the glamourous casino found among the oak-panelled walls of the Ritz Hotel.
The other great thing about gaming in the UK, in general, is that there are so many wonderful options available to game online, with some of the best providers offering free spins no deposit bonuses so you can play slots to your heart’s content. And you can do all of this whether you’re enjoying the views from the London Eye or riding a train north to Manchester or Liverpool — two cities that are not too shabby themselves when it comes to gaming.
Monaco
Whereas Vegas and London are all about the hustle and bustle of resorts and crammed establishments, Europe’s elite gamers all tend to congregate in one place — Monaco.
This principality, that is full of surprises, has one of the most famous casinos in the world, whose parking lot is usually packed with priceless super cars. Cars that have been used by yacht owners too lazy to stroll from the marina to the Monte Carlo Casino’s front door.
If you go, just remember to take a tux with you, because the dress code is strict.
Macau
If you love Las Vegas but want a more Asian flair to your trip, then Macau is the ideal option, with its casinos doing more business than anywhere else on earth.
Whether you want to join in with high roller card games or feel like taking up a classic game such as Mahjong, then Macau really is a place to pencil in on your bucket list.
New York
Although the Big Apple might not be the best place for some games, the ones it does specialize in are catered for magnificently.
Boardgame cafes are huge in the city, with The Uncommons and Hex & Company being two of the best, stocking masses of board games as well as serving tasty treats and drinks.
Away from board games, bridge is king in New York, with many clubs that are open to the public and others that are members-only affairs.
Seoul
If you want to play classic games but also want to keep your finger on the pulse of what is new in the gaming world, then paying a visit to Seoul in South Korea is a must.
Some of the fastest internet speeds in the world also mean that when it comes time to gaming online, your connection will never be found lagging.
Singapore
Sticking in Asia for a moment, it is well worth us mentioning Singapore, which has long been a great hideaway for people looking to play games from all over Asia and beyond.
The giant Marina Bay Sands resort is the jewel in this tiny country’s gaming crown, catering for gamers of all possible persuasions as well as having arguably the most dramatic infinity pool in the world.
Atlantic City
Anyone who has watched Boardwalk Empire really should head to this US East Coast gaming gem, which despite not having the pulling power of Las Vegas is a good option for anyone who doesn’t fancy heading that far west.
Bahamas
If your idea of gaming bliss is to play your heart out all night and then soak up the sun’s rays on a pristine white sand beach, then you cannot go far wrong with the Bahamas.
The islands of Nassau and Paradise Islands are where you’ll find some of the best gaming opportunities in the region.
Paris
Last but not least is the French capital, where games such as blackjack and roulette were first invented.
There are some seriously opulent gaming houses in Paris, with Aviation Club de France and Cercle Haussman among the main highlights.
