Walk down Las Vegas Boulevard on a Tuesday night and it feels like the neon never ends. It's a blur. Between the clinking of slot machines and the guy trying to hand you a flyer for a magic show, you'd swear there are hundreds of casinos packed into that four-mile stretch of asphalt.
But there aren't.
Honestly, the "official" count is a moving target that makes even seasoned floor managers scratch their heads. If you ask a tourist, they’ll say "a million." If you ask the Nevada Gaming Control Board, they’ll give you a number based on liquor licenses and tax brackets. If you ask a local, they’ll probably point out that half the places people call "The Strip" aren't even technically on it.
How Many Casinos Are in Las Vegas Strip Right Now?
As of early 2026, there are 31 major casinos physically located on the Las Vegas Strip.
That number might sound low to you. You've seen the skyline. It looks massive. But here’s the thing: a lot of what you see is actually in transition or technically "off-Strip" by a block or two. For instance, the legendary Mirage is currently a construction zone, destined to become the Hard Rock Las Vegas by 2027. The Tropicana? Gone. Imploded. It's literally a pile of history waiting for a baseball stadium to take its place.
Then you have the rebrands. The Cromwell—that cool boutique spot on the corner of Flamingo—is currently becoming The Vanderpump Hotel. It's still got a casino floor, but it's a completely different vibe than it was two years ago.
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The Heavy Hitters: Who Owns What?
You can't talk about the count without talking about the "Big Two." It’s kinda wild when you realize that most of these 31 spots are owned by just two massive corporations.
MGM Resorts International basically owns the south end. They’ve got:
- Bellagio (where the fountains are, obviously)
- ARIA
- MGM Grand
- The Cosmopolitan (the newest addition to their family)
- Mandalay Bay
- Luxor
- Excalibur
- Park MGM
- New York-New York
Then you have Caesars Entertainment, which dominates the center of the action. They run Caesars Palace, Paris, Horseshoe (formerly Bally's), Planet Hollywood, Flamingo, The LINQ, and Harrah’s.
Basically, if you’re walking into a casino on the Strip, there’s a 70% chance your money is going to one of those two companies.
The "Sorta-Strip" Casinos That Confuse Everyone
This is where the math gets messy.
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People love to count The STRAT (that big needle in the sky). Is it on the Strip? Technically, yes, the address is Las Vegas Blvd. But it’s so far north that it’s actually inside the Las Vegas city limits, whereas the rest of the Strip is in an unincorporated township called Paradise.
Then there's Circus Circus. It’s still there, clinging to the north end with its pink tents and $5 blackjack. And don't forget Slots-A-Fun next door. It’s tiny. It’s gritty. It’s one of the last places where you can still find coin-operated slots that actually clink when you win. Does it count as a separate casino? Tax-wise, yes.
What about the fancy new guys?
The north end is finally waking up. Resorts World (the huge red building) and Fontainebleau (the blue tower that took forever to finish) added two massive names to the list recently. They’re gorgeous, but they feel like they’re on an island compared to the chaos of the "Four Corners" near Caesars and Bellagio.
Why the Number Keeps Shrinking (and Growing)
Vegas is obsessed with "new."
Back in the 90s, we had the Stardust, the Riviera, and the Sahara (well, the Sahara is back now, but it was SLS for a minute). We lose casinos to progress.
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In 2024 and 2025, we saw a massive shift. The closure of the Mirage was a gut punch for people who loved the volcano. But in its place, we get a giant guitar-shaped hotel. It’s a trade-off. We lost the Tropicana to make room for the Oakland A’s (soon to be Las Vegas A’s).
So, while the physical count of "operating" casinos might hover around 30, the number of available gaming floors changes based on who is renovating what.
The Identity Crisis of NoMad and Park MGM
Take Park MGM. It used to be Monte Carlo. Now it’s the only smoke-free casino on the Strip. Inside it, there was a "hotel-within-a-hotel" called NoMad. In early 2026, that officially transitioned into The Reserve, a reimagined luxury experience. Does that count as a new casino? No, it shares the same floor. But it changes the "feel" of the count.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip
If you're planning to hit as many of these 31 casinos as possible, don't try to walk it all. Seriously. Your feet will hate you.
- Use the Trams: There’s a free tram between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. There’s another between Bellagio and ARIA. They save you miles of walking.
- The "Hidden" Casino: Check out Casino Royale. It’s tucked between Harrah’s and The Venetian. It doesn't have a massive hotel tower, but it’s a legendary spot for cheap drinks and low-limit games that the big boys won't touch anymore.
- Check the Status: Before you head to a specific spot, verify it’s actually open. With the current pace of renovations (especially on the North Strip near the Sahara), some walkways and entrances change weekly.
- Loyalty Cards: Since MGM and Caesars own almost everything, get one card for each. Your points at Bellagio will work for dinner at Excalibur. It's the only way to actually get "comped" in 2026.
The Las Vegas Strip is a living thing. It breathes neon and exhales construction dust. Today, you’ve got 31 choices. Next year? Who knows. Someone might decide to turn a parking lot into a 4,000-room masterpiece. That’s just how this town works.
To get the most out of your visit, focus on the "clusters." Start at the South Strip (Mandalay/Luxor), move to the Center Strip (Caesars/Bellagio/Paris), and then take a rideshare to the North Strip (Wynn/Resorts World/Fontainebleau). Trying to do it all in one go is a rookie mistake. Stick to the clusters, watch the fountains, and maybe—just maybe—keep an eye on your bankroll.