Casino games have never been as popular as they are today. This is partially thanks to the improved access that players have to classics like blackjack, roulette, and slots. While in years gone by, they may have had to travel across town, the country, or the entire world to visit a casino, modern players can simply whip out a phone or computer and start playing games from anywhere. Many of these online casinos make it even easier for their users to enjoy their content by offering them a bonus when they sign up, as can be seen with Bet365, which awards 50 free spins.
Despite this new democratisation of casino gaming, Las Vegas continues to be a synonym for playing slots and cards, thanks to the century-long efforts of the resort owners and local officials to tie the two together in the minds of almost everyone on the planet.
It’s easy to see how this connection has formed. Right along its legendary Strip, you’ll find some of the world’s most famous gaming houses, including Caesar’s Palace, The Bellagio, Circus Circus, and The Venetian.
Countless movies and TV shows pumped out by Hollywood also reinforce this relationship. Everything from The Hangover (2009) to Friends have featured scenes that depict the characters playing popular games in Vegas casinos.
Yet, despite this, Las Vegas is not a one-trick pony. The city has learnt to adapt to changing tastes and trends over the years, which is why visitors are also treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet of live sport, thrill rides, fine dining, and shopping.
Las Vegas also offers performances from some of the world’s greatest musicians. In fact, music has, arguably, helped to shape the modern city we know today far more than any of the other examples we’ve just examined.
This is down to the fact Las Vegas has a unique relationship with music.
Long Live the King
Just as Las Vegas was establishing itself as the adult playground we know today, a musician by the name of Elvis Presley was starting out in his career. Elvis made his first appearance in April 1956, performing at the New Frontier Hotel for two weeks. It was not an immediate success, and he was even criticised by a reviewer for a local newspaper.
That all changed in 1968 when Elvis saw Tom Jones perform in the city and, within a year, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll returned for an eight-year residency.
Elvis’ performances put a lot of strain on him, as did the gruelling schedules of his contemporaries. But his shows helped to lay the foundations for the modern residency format that we know today.
A Who’s Who of Legends
In the 21st century, Las Vegas is the place to be if you want to see the most legendary live performances.
Many famous rock groups, including Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, and Mötley Crue have all performed in the city, as have big names like Rod Stewart, Journey, The Killers, and Aerosmith.
Some only play a handful of gigs in the city before moving on, while others will work through years-long schedules and make Las Vegas their home.
Not Just Live Performances
There’s more to the relationship between the music industry and Las Vegas than the city being the home of live performances.
The city’s casinos are crammed with row after row of video slot machines. Large resorts can boast thousands of these games, while even smaller venues will pack in hundreds of them. Among the, will be dozens of different themed titles that range from Ancient Egypt to space, providing variety for players and catering to as many people as possible.
And music has become a popular theme for slots. In fact, many of the biggest names that have performed live in the city have also been featured in a slot game that bears their name and includes many of their tracks.
One of the most famous examples of this is Guns N’ Roses slot game, which combines the band’s best bangers with graphics that depict its members and imagery that fans will instantly recognise.
In a way, the relationship between the music industry and Las Vegas has come full circle with this step.
