Bahamas Casinos (2024) - Interactive Map of Casinos in Bahamas

Bahamas Gambling: The Basics

Getting to the Bahamas

Unless you're a really great swimmer, the only ways to get to and from the Bahamas are by airplane or boat. 

You're most likely to fly in, either that - or walk down the plank from a cruise ship. If you have your own private yacht, well, you might want to skip this next part. We’re envious..

Since the Bahamas is such an expansive nation with many islands, most airports are small, with only sporadic service. 

However, at least 7 airports offer multiple airlines and regular flights multiple times weekly.

These airports are:

• NAS: Lynden Pindling International Airport - Nassau (18 airlines)
• GGT: Exuma International Airport - George Town (8 airlines)
• FPO: Grand Bahama International Airport - Freeport (7 airlines)
• MHH: Leonard M Thompson International Airport - Marsh Harbour (6 airlines)
• ELH: North Eleuthera Airport - North Eleuthera (6 airlines)

It's theoretically possible to land almost any place in the Bahamas by sea, but there are official entry ports and regulations that should be followed. 

Here are the biggest ports used by visitors:

• Freeport
• Port of Nassau
• Port of Clifton Point
• Prince George Wharf/ Nassau Cruise Port
• Port of South Riding Point
• Port of Ocean Cay
• Cockburn Harbour Inlet
• Port of Inagua Islands

If anyone offers you a train ticket to the Bahamas, we advise you to pass on the offer. The same goes for driving. 

Which Island(s) Should You Visit?

This might be the toughest decision you’ll make!

Deciding precisely where to visit and stay all depends on what exactly you want to do! Remember that even though distances might not seem that far, service between islands can sometimes be infrequent. So, plan ahead. Way ahead, and remember to use our map of casinos in Bahamas to get straightforward and smart directions to your gambling destination of choice.

If you're seeking modern luxuries, spas, and gambling action, your choices are pretty much limited to Nassau and Bimini. They're easy to get to and offer the most hotel rooms, restaurants, and tourist attractions. But, they can also be crowded.

If you're seeking adventure, pick one of the bigger islands that features lots of natural attractions. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas, and it includes the country’s largest percentage of government-protected land. 

Grand Bahama Island is also worth considering with incredible underwater caves, forests with 18 bird species found nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere, and the spectacular Lucayan National Park (located near Freeport). 

Also not to be missed: The Berry Islands has snorkeling, sport fishing, and diving at shipwreck sites.

If you're looking for peace and quiet, pick one of the smaller islands (especially if you have access to a boat). Many of Bahamas' 700 islands are uninhabited and unnamed. 

They're so small they're more like sandbars. But the fact there’s nothing there except natural beauty, well, that has its appeal, too. 

Stormy Weather: A Period of Transition

Times and things do change. The Bahamas reflects these changes. In fact, everything can change within just a very short time frame, as we've witnessed with multiple tropical storms that have hit many of the islands in recent years. 

In just a matter of minutes, mega-resorts have been totally wiped out. Then, within a few months or years, new resorts and casinos open. Perhaps no other region of the world encounters so much transition.

In 2019, Grand Bahama Island which is the second most popular area for visitation was hit by Hurricane Doria. The damage was devastating throughout the Caribbean, but especially in and around Freeport. The disaster hurt tourism significantly. 

1. Treasure Bay Casino Lucaya (Grand Bahama)  - closed.
2. Memories Grand Casino & Resort (Freeport) - closed.
3. Bahamas Princess Resort & Casino (Freeport) - closed. 

None of these casinos have re-opened (as of late 2023). 

However, when new spots open, there are opportunities. Sometimes, there are even bargains, especially if your travel schedule is flexible. The former Memories Grand Bahama Resort & Casino is very likely to reopen soon. 

Other resorts will certainly follow, and casinos will come back, in time.

So, be aware that most of the old information links and reviews about these casinos on various travel and gaming sites have become obsolete. 

Here at Chipy.com, we shall venture to update this page and all of our gambling-related coverage on the Bahamas as new resorts and casinos return and open again.

A Few Words About Bimini

What's the closest island in the Bahamas to the coastline of the United States? That's easy. It's called Bimini.

Only about 9 square miles in size, Bimini lies in the westernmost region of the Bahamas and is only 50 miles away (80 km) from Miami. Almost all visitors arrive by boat. 

Bimini comprises a chain of islands that are very popular with visitors from Florida. The local population is only 2,417, but double that with tourists. There's plenty to see and do here, including a visit to Resort World Casino.

Yes, the casino is accessible from the marina.

Though it's famous with the rich and famous, you don't have to be rich or famous to visit.  But it does help with getting a great hotel room with a view and the best table in the restaurants.

Our Top 3 Favorite Bahamian Casinos

Let’s explore the top 3 Nassau Casinos and discover which one may be best for you; 

1. Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas

Located north of the city of Nassau on Paradise Island this is the country’s most famous casino. It’s also perfectly named. That’s because it is a paradise.

The Atlantis includes a marina, 4 huge hotel towers, 21 restaurants, 19 bars and lounges, shopping, a gigantic water amusement park, luxury spas, a nightclub, live entertainment, DJs, a full-scale casino, a sportsbook, and a poker room.  

The casino offers 1,000 slots and video poker machines. It has 85 gaming tables. The sportsbook primarily shows American sports. However, the Atlantis Race & Sports Book also offers betting on horse racing from major U.S. tracks.

2. Baha Mar 

This newest hotel-resort-spa-casino opened more recently and is designed to rival the bigger Atlantis. It’s not as big.

However, it still has many advantages. For one thing, it’s nicer, newer, cleaner, and the casino is better. Okay, that’s more than one thing.

Baha Mar is closer to Nassau and the parts of the city you’ll likely want to visit. The casino includes 1,100 slot machines and 119 live casino tables (with 18 different types of games - including blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette). This casino floor is unlike any other. Most casinos are closed off, but the floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking ocean views.

The mega-resort also includes 9 pools and a luxury spa. You have 40 restaurants and bars to choose from. The cruise port and marina are nearby. It’s walking distance to the beach.

We also found hotel rates are cheaper here at Baha Mar than at Atlantis. However, that’s always subject to change as its popularity continues to grow.

3. Resorts World Bimini

This expansive 750-acre Caribbean beachfront resort and casino is located on North Bimini Island. Opened in 2013, the construction cost was US$220 Million.

Resorts World Bimini offers a 307-room luxury hotel operated as part of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. So, it's easy to book online as part of Hilton's vacation packages. The resort also includes 480 townhouses and villas, 6 restaurants, a casino, and the largest marina in the Bahamas.

The casino features baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, and over 160 slot machines, plus a high-limit gaming salon.

You can also check out Hemingway’s, the in-casino gourmet burger sports bar. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the casino boasts beautiful views of the resort’s Mega Yacht Marina.

Guests can sail right up to the casino doors, and get in on the action!

What’s Island Luck?

Even though most of the other casinos elsewhere are much bigger and fancier, in actuality, the biggest gambling operator within the Bahamas (measured by betting volume) might surprise you. 

It's called the "Island Luck" casino chain, which is owned and operated by Playtech Systems Ltd. These numerous betting outlets offer both land-based action and online gambling. 

Island Luck betting outlets number in the dozens (by one count there were 60 locations prior to recent tropical storms that closed some of them). 

They can be visited throughout the populated islands within the Bahamas. Island Luck sportsbook lounges offer 24-hour deposits, access to the online casino, and the national lottery. This is the leading lottery retailer in the country. 

Initially established in 2009, Island Luck is licensed by the Gaming Board for The Bahamas offering well-regulated wagering to everyone above the age of 18 throughout the islands. 

Note: We may also be hearing more about Island Luck in other countries too, since Argentina and Peru joined forces with the company, in addition to new sportsbetting launches across multiple U.S. states.

Shuffle Up and Deal! Major Poker Tournaments Held in the Bahamas

Nassau has become an international hotbed for world-class poker action. The two biggest global poker tours now make annual stops in the Bahamas. 

These highly-anticipated events attract thousands of players and their families, who make a working poker-playing vacation out of the experience. 

Here's more about the two major poker events:

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (a.k.a. PokerStars Championship Bahamas)

This is an annual televised poker tournament. Winning the main event is one of the most prestigious titles in the game. The two-week long "PCA" was first held in 2004 and was originally co-sponsored by PokerStars and the World Poker Tour.

Later, it joined with the European Poker Tour. Since 2017, the PCA tournament has been part of the PokerStars Championship tour and renamed PokerStars Championship Bahamas. It's been held at Baha Mar since 2022.

Players can qualify online, or show up and pay cash to enter. This tournament includes cash games for all stakes and many different forms of poker.

World Series of Poker

Starting in December 2023, "WSOP Paradise" will be held at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. There are qualifying tournaments held online months in advance and even a “players exclusive” offer. There are up to 1,000 travel and entry packages up for grabs, including an 11-night hotel stay at Atlantis Paradise Island, a $5,000 tournament buy-in, and daily complimentary lunch buffet access.

One tournament will have a whopping $25,000 buy-in. Entrants can also simply arrive and pay cash to participate.

Bahamas Casino Laws and Regulations

Unlike most American casinos where the legal age of entry is 21, The Bahamas allows persons aged 18 and up to enter and play (the same is true for drinking alcohol - the age of consent nationwide is 18).

All gambling throughout the islands is overseen by the Gaming Board for The Bahamas. The government-run board is solely responsible for issuing casino licenses and enforcing regulations.

More recently, the Bahamas has become a haven for online gambling. After being strictly forbidden, online gambling was legalized under the Gaming Act of 2014. 

The new law provided a framework for licensed casinos, national and charitable lotteries, and taxation. 

This allowed online casinos, lotteries, live poker, poker tournaments, and race and sportsbooks to set up operations on the islands and be operated as fully-regulated businesses.

It should also be noted that a state-run lottery is also legal, as is electronic bingo, keno, scratch tickets, and pull-tabs. Sports betting parlors which offer both online wagering and in-person betting are also popular in the country, and especially within Nassau. 

Betting is mostly in American sports, and also South American and European soccer matches.

Conclusion

Visiting Bahamas casinos is nearly a perfect choice for your travels. Whatever your plans - sun, fun, romance, partying, gambling, or a family vacation - the islands are wonderful spots to visit.  

With so many islands catering to different interests, there are fun things to do for people of all ages and interests. With careful planning, you can get a lot out of your trip to the islands, and even encounter some surprises.

Fair Warning: If you go, you might not ever want to leave.