Are casino resorts making a comeback?

For decades, the casino resort was the ultimate getaway. Neon lights, late nights, endless buffets, headline acts and the promise that, just maybe, lady luck would smile upon you. In the 1990s and early 2000s, these venues were to go-to for weekend getaways and short leisure breaks worldwide, especially within domestic travel markets. They were self-contained worlds, designed to keep you entertained without ever needing to leave.

Then, quietly, they fell out of favour.

As travel tastes evolved, casino resorts began to feel too structured, too noisy, and at odds with those who wanted a more flexible experience. Online gambling also helped to remove the need to travel to the casino floor. Boutique hotels, wellness retreats, AirBnB and more authentic travel experiences promised something casino resorts simply couldn’t provide.

Despite this, something interesting is happening again.

Across the world, entertainment destinations are finding relevance again by broadening their appeal. The casino itself is rarely the main attraction anymore but rather just one option among many. As a born and bred South African, a recent trip to Carnival City, just east of Johannesburg, brought these thoughts to the forefront of my mind.

The golden era of the casino complex

At their peak, casino resorts offered a rare level of convenience. Before we had access to everything in the palm of our hands they offered it all under one roof. Accommodation, dining, shows, nightlife and entertainment. They thrived in an era when travel was all about where you decided to go. For many they were the place you booked for milestone birthdays, concert nights, celebratory weekends and date nights.

But what once felt indulgent eventually began to feel inflexible. The rise of digital options meant gambling no longer required you to be physically present, a big win especially in what was becoming a taboo past time. There was a move towards personal experiences rather than pre-packaged ones. And a fair move worldwide away from excess and consumerism, especially in the mindset of the younger traveller.

In this landscape, casino resorts struggled to stay relevant. Those that survived were the ones willing to rethink their role, not as places built around a single activity, but as leisure destinations with multiple appeal.

Casino resorts in today’s day and age

The modern casino resort no longer assumes that every guest wants to gamble, or even that gambling is the reason they arrived. In fact, visit one of these places today and you’ll see that the casino sections have shrunk remarkably, they may even be some of the quietest places to be. Some, like Sun City, certainly South Africa‘s and one the world’s pioneering casino resorts, have even introduced the opportunity to gamble outdoors with slot machines poolside, showing a marked shift away from the old fake star-lit casino floors where you never knew what time it was or how long you had spent there.

At a destination like Carnival City, the evolution beyond the casino floor is easy to see. The dining precinct has become a genuine drawcard, with a mix of casual family-friendly options, well-known South African chains and sit-down restaurants that cater as much to pre-show dinners as they do to fun birthday meals. Despite the introduction of larger, stadium-style concert venues, The Big Top Arena continues to anchor the resort’s entertainment offering, hosting everything from live music and comedy to large-scale touring productions.

The space has also been updated to accommodate families. The outdoor carnival-style amusement park, arcade games, cinema complex and open play areas are now where you can see most visitors spending their time while a convenient on-site hotel turns a concert night or celebration into an easy overnight stay, removing the pressure of late-night travel and transforming what could be a few hours out into a proper short break. It’s this layering of experiences including entertainment, dining, accommodation and play that gives casino resorts like Carnival City its renewed appeal.

The return of contained convenience

Ironically, the very thing that once made casino resorts feel outdated, their self-contained nature, is now part of their renewed appeal, especially for families.

Today’s traveller is tired, no one more so than the modern mom (like myself). With low-level, decision-fatigue dominating modern cultures. Planning can be exhausting. Multiple-stop self-curated itineraries which once felt like the ultimate freedom now feel more like work than leisure. There’s a growing desire for places that simplify travel. This is where entertainment precincts are finding their second act.

They invite you to arrive and just enjoy. Everything is walkable. Logistics are minimal. Entertainment is optional. You can spend an entire weekend without ever leaving the property at all. That kind of ease has become its own form of luxury.

There’s also a broad appeal. Families use these places differently than couples. Business travellers find something that appeals to them. As do concertgoers. This flexibility matters. Where traditional luxury once implied exclusivity, modern luxury is increasingly defined by options.

Another factor which cannot be ignored, especially in a country like South Africa is the rise of domestic travel, not as a compromise, but as a preference. Short breaks, close to home, are no longer seen as lesser trips. They’re practical, restorative, and easier to fit into real life. Thanks to its proximity to the main international airport in Johannesburg, a destination like Carnival City can offer a change of pace without the friction of flights, long drives or too much expense.

So, is it the second act for the casino resort? The reality is that these places don’t need to reclaim their former glory, and certainly shouldn’t try to. That era passed for a reason. But at the same time they shouldn’t pretend to be something they are not. The casinos are still there. The lights still glow. They are still loud and slightly chaotic. But their fun, convenient and appealing for families in need of a bit of escapism. And what’s so wrong with that?

Janine Avery

Janine Avery is a travel writer from Cape Town, South Africa. She is a lover of all things nature and loves to explore new places, enjoying any form of travel from basic tenting to lazing in luxury lodges.