If you believe there is such a thing as paradise on earth, I’m pretty sure The Bahamas will fit that picture. Gorgeous weather all-year-round. Super friendly people wherever you go. Beautiful markets, craft centers, and shops.
Hundreds of islands to explore. Pink sandy beaches, festivals, the list goes on. And my personal favorite: the delicious Bahamian dishes that will ruin ‘regular’ food for you (it’ll never be the same again).
But my guilty pleasure? Going to one of several casinos The Bahamas has to offer. If you’re someone who likes a bet in a beautiful setting, surrounded by great entertainment, fantastic food and drinks, friendly dealers, and an excellent selection of both table games and slots, you’ve guessed it: The Bahamas is the place to be.
But Wait, What’s the Deal with Gambling?
If you’re an American and like to bet, you’re also constantly asking yourself whether it’s legal. That’s because the United States has historically had some very strict regulations, although they’re finally loosening as several states have opened up to sports betting and gambling.
Visiting The Bahamas and fancy visiting a casino? For you, the tourist, it’s legal. The country is famous for its gambling establishments, and the powers that be have gone through a lot of effort to facilitate betting for visiting tourists. For the locals? Not so much. It’s even illegal to place a bet online.
To put The Bahamas into perspective, it’s not the strictest. Qatar, another exotic spot, hasn’t yielded to demand (at least when it comes to gambling), and it’s banned in its entirety. Meanwhile, in Europe, Norway stands amongst the strictest; according to Norwegian casino portal CasinoToppListen, there are only two legal betting sites, held by Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstoto, only two casinos in Norway, with awful choice and odds, so punters usually go for off-shore options.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Let’s start with the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. It’s more than just a casino, it’s a resort that would take you months to fully explore. It has a fantastic beach, a top-end golf course, a staggering six swimming pools, an arts center, and the largest (and probably best) casino in the Caribbean.
The casino is huge (or should I say yuge?), featuring over 100,000 square feet of pure entertainment. It’s an excellent place to put in a bet or two, whether you’re a high roller or the average casual player. You can’t really go wrong by paying a visit to the Grand Hyatt.
Atlantis Casino, Paradise Island
It may come in second on the list, but it may be my favorite casino in The Bahamas. It spans a ridiculous seven-acre lagoon, featuring skylights, glass sculptures, and 60,000 feet of 85 table games, 700+ slot machines, and a sportsbook.
What I love about this casino is the gorgeous interior. It really feels like you’re living in a movie, experiencing an, well, experience, rather than what I’m used to back home. Don’t get me wrong, it’s ultimately about the quality of the games on offer (and Atlantis gets this on point), but the surroundings are also important.
The Resorts World Bimini Casino
Five-star accommodation, service, and entertainment. Panoramic views of a stunning lagoon and marina that make you rub your eyes to check if what you’re looking at is real. And all of the traditional casino games you love.
There’s only one possible explanation: you’re at the Resorts World Bimini Casino. It’s not open 24-hours like Atlantis, but perhaps there’s such a thing as ‘too much fun’?
If you’re tired of killing it at the blackjack tables or hitting yet another bonus on your favorite slot, this casino also offers a wide range of dining options, as well as a cool cocktail bar by the name of Hemingway’s.
Visiting the Bahamas? Wait, Don’t Forget Your Slang!
The official language may be English, but if you’re planning on visiting the Bahamas, it’s worth learning a little bit of slang. It’s a great icebreaker, you’ll understand a little more of the nuances behind the local dialect, and people will appreciate you’ve taken the time to learn about what makes the Bahamas unique.
So, while you’re thinking about packing your bags to hit some of the finest casinos in the Caribbean, I’ll leave you with this. Here’s a bit of slang that may come in handy on your travels:
- Double those adjectives. Avoid ‘very’. Just go 2x when it comes to your adjectives. Something isn’t very cheap, it’s cheap cheap!
- Kerpunkle up. This is not something you want to be, especially when gambling! Kerpunkle up is the same as being drunk, wasted, hammered, you get the gist.
- Spilligate. To go spillgating is about hedonism but in a good way. It’s about getting out there and having a great time with your friends.
- Das a wibe! This literally means “that’s a vibe”, and in the Bahamas, it translates to “that’s quite the little situation that’s developing here!”.
- WellMuddaSick! We end with where we started. If you’ve heard something that makes you want to go “Wow!”, use “WellMuddaSick!” Instead.
