Casino destinations from a Muslim perspective: what to know before you go

Where casinos and tourism overlap

Some of the world's best-known holiday spots grew up around gaming. Las Vegas presents hotels, shows, dining and even weddings under one visitor authority. Macao promotes heritage walking tours, attractions and events alongside its resorts. In Malaysia, Resorts World Genting is a hill resort that markets theme parks and shows next to its hotels.

For a Muslim visitor these places raise a practical problem. The same building can hold a family attraction, a restaurant and a gaming floor, and the route from the lift to the lobby may pass through the latter.

How gambling is generally viewed in Islam

Mainstream Islamic teaching regards gambling, known as maysir, as prohibited, and most Muslims therefore avoid playing casino games, buying chips or betting at all. The prohibition is a matter of common practice among the large majority of scholars.

How far the caution extends to being near gaming areas, staying in a casino hotel or visiting the city is where people differ. This page does not give rulings. Each reader follows their own school and scholar, and is encouraged to ask one directly.

Questions to ask yourself before choosing the destination

A short, honest checklist saves regret later.

• Is the main reason for the trip the casino, or something else such as a conference, family visit or sightseeing?
• Can the hotel be reached without crossing a gaming floor?
• Will companions expect to gamble, and how will you handle that?
• Are children travelling, and are there age restrictions on parts of the property?
• Would a different city give the same experience without the difficulty?

What there is to do away from the tables

Macao's tourism office promotes World Heritage and cultural walking tours, which show a side of the city that has nothing to do with gaming. Las Vegas lists shows, dining and wedding venues, and the surrounding desert offers day trips for those who want scenery.

Genting suits families who want rides, shows and cooler hill air. Its own website describes theme parks as well as hotels. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on how you feel about staying in a complex that also contains a casino, so read the layout of the resort before booking.

Hotels, food and prayer in a casino resort

Large resorts mix many restaurants, some with halal options, many without. Never assume. Ask the hotel directly, in writing, whether halal meals are served and how they are prepared. Alcohol is served almost everywhere in such complexes, which may affect the atmosphere in lobbies and restaurants.

Prayer rooms are rare inside casino hotels. Plan to pray in your room, using a qibla app and your own mat, and carry a printed or downloaded timetable. In cities with a Muslim community, a nearby mosque or Islamic centre can be a better stop than the hotel.

Gambling harm, and where to find help

Casino cities are built to keep people playing, and anyone can lose control, whatever their beliefs. Warning signs include chasing losses, hiding spending or feeling unable to stop.

GambleAware, a charity in Great Britain, offers free, confidential support by phone and chat, a self-assessment quiz, a spend calculator and blocking and self-exclusion tools. Muslim travellers who feel pulled towards gambling can use such services in confidence, and many find it easier to talk to a trusted imam or friend as well.

Travelling with family, colleagues and friends

Trips are often set by others: a business event in a casino hotel, a relative's wedding, a group holiday. In these cases, agree early on what you will take part in. Decline politely and without lecture. Most hosts respect a calm "I will not gamble, but I will join you for dinner."

Teenagers and young adults should hear the expectations before they arrive. Age limits for gaming floors vary by place, so check the venue's own rules rather than relying on assumptions.

A cautious planning sequence

First, decide whether you are comfortable with the destination at all. Second, compare the casino city with alternatives that offer the same heritage, shows or family attractions. Third, if you go, book a hotel whose layout suits you, ask about halal food and note the nearest mosque.

Fourth, set a clear personal rule about gaming areas and stick to it. Finally, keep your days full of activities you chose in advance, so that the destination serves your trip rather than directing it.