You’re walking down South Las Vegas Boulevard, the neon is basically blinding you, and you start wondering: just how many of these massive buildings actually have a casino inside? It feels like hundreds. It’s kinda overwhelming. But if you actually sit down and count them—like, really look at the legal gaming licenses—the number is way lower than most people think.
Honestly, the "Las Vegas Strip" is a bit of a trick. Most of it isn't even in the city of Las Vegas. It’s technically in Paradise and Winchester, Nevada. Because of that weird geography and the constant cycle of billion-dollar implosions and grand openings, getting a straight answer on the casino count is harder than hitting a jackpot on a penny slot.
Breaking Down the Count: How Many Casinos in Las Vegas Strip Exist Right Now?
As of early 2026, there are 31 major casinos physically located on the Las Vegas Strip.
This number shifts depending on who you ask and how they define "The Strip." If you’re a purist who only counts the stretch from Mandalay Bay up to The STRAT, you’re looking at that 31ish range. However, the Nevada Gaming Control Board often groups things differently for tax reasons, and travel sites sometimes throw in "near-Strip" properties like the Virgin Hotel or the Rio just to make the list look beefier.
But if we’re talking about the actual sidewalk-pounding, Las Vegas Boulevard-facing gaming floors, 31 is your magic number.
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Why the number keeps changing
Vegas is basically a giant construction site with a buffet attached. In just the last couple of years, we’ve seen some massive shifts. The legendary Tropicana is gone—demolished to make way for a baseball stadium and a future Bally’s resort. The Mirage? Closed. It’s currently being gutted and transformed into the Hard Rock Las Vegas, complete with a giant guitar-shaped hotel tower that’s supposed to open in 2027.
So, while we lost those two heavy hitters, we gained the massive Fontainebleau and Resorts World recently. It’s a "one out, one in" kind of ecosystem.
The Big Players: Who Owns the Most?
It’s not a bunch of independent mom-and-pop shops. Not even close. Two massive corporations basically own the sidewalk.
MGM Resorts International is the heavyweight champion here. They’ve got a massive footprint that includes:
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- Bellagio (the one with the fountains, obviously)
- ARIA and the Cosmopolitan (high-end, very chic)
- MGM Grand (the green monster)
- Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur (the "South Strip" trio)
- New York-New York and Park MGM
Caesars Entertainment is the other titan. They run the show at:
- Caesars Palace
- Planet Hollywood
- Paris Las Vegas
- The Flamingo (the oldest name on the Strip, dating back to 1946)
- The LINQ, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe
There are also the "independents" or smaller chains. You’ve got Wynn and Encore (Steve Wynn’s masterpieces), The Venetian and Palazzo, and the newer Fontainebleau. Then there’s the quirky stuff, like Casino Royale, which is tucked between massive resorts and feels like a time capsule from the 90s.
The "Fringe" Casinos: Do They Count?
This is where the debate gets heated at the bar. Does The STRAT count as the Strip?
Technically, it has a Las Vegas Boulevard address, but it’s actually within the city limits of Las Vegas, whereas the rest of the Strip isn't. Most tourists consider it the northern anchor. Then you have Sahara Las Vegas and Circus Circus. They’re definitely on the Strip, but they feel like they’re on an island because of the "North Strip" development gaps.
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And don't get me started on the "Just-Off-Strip" spots. Places like Ellis Island are literally a block away. They have great steak specials and cheap blackjack, but they aren't on the Strip. If you included every casino within a five-minute Uber ride of the Boulevard, the count would jump from 31 to nearly 80.
The Small Guys You Might Miss
People always forget about Slots-A-Fun. It’s a tiny casino next to Circus Circus. It doesn't even have its own hotel. But it has a gaming license, it has slots, and it’s right on the Boulevard. If you’re counting how many casinos in Las Vegas Strip are currently operating, you have to include these little outliers alongside the billion-dollar giants.
What’s Coming Next?
The landscape isn't static. By the end of 2026, we’re expecting more shifts.
- The Vanderpump Hotel Rebrand: The Cromwell is leaning even harder into its partnership with Lisa Vanderpump.
- Hard Rock Construction: You'll see the guitar tower rising where the Mirage used to be, though you won't be able to gamble there quite yet.
- The A’s Stadium Site: The old Tropicana land is a massive hole in the ground right now, but eventually, a new Bally’s-branded casino will likely rise alongside the ballpark.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
If you're planning to hit all 31 (good luck to your wallet), here’s the smart way to do it:
- Walk the Clusters: Don't try to walk the whole thing. Focus on the "Center Strip" (Caesars to Horseshoe) or the "South Strip" (Mandalay Bay to Excalibur via the free tram).
- Check the Boundaries: If a hotel says they are "Strip-area," check the map. If they are east of Koval Lane or west of I-15, you aren't on the Strip.
- Use the Trams: There are three free trams on the west side of the street (Mandalay Bay-Luxor-Excalibur, Aria-Bellagio-Park MGM, and Mirage-Treasure Island—though the Mirage one is currently offline during construction).
The number of casinos might seem high, but the Strip is really a collection of "neighborhoods" owned by just a few companies. Knowing exactly how many casinos in Las Vegas Strip are active helps you realize just how concentrated the action really is.
Before you head out, download a map that specifically highlights the pedestrian bridges. Crossing the street in Vegas isn't as simple as hitting a crosswalk; it’s a 15-minute detour over a bridge, and knowing where they are will save your feet more than any "walking" shoes ever will.