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Christmas at the Casino: Relax, Unwind and Enjoy

December 16, 2024

It might seem a little unconventional to some people, but have you ever thought of spending your Christmas at a casino?

Now, we don’t mean dedicating your entire Christmas holiday to sitting at a slot machine or at the roulette wheel; we mean the casino experience as a whole. Here’s why you should consider spending this Christmas at your favourite casino complex.

PokerStars has many Christmas-themed casino games.

Enjoy A Delicious Meal

So much of the enjoyment that we get from the festive season is derived from sharing delicious food around a beautifully decorated table with our nearest and dearest. A home-cooked Christmas feast is a wonderful thing, but what if you reclaimed all the time you spent in a hot kitchen and doing the dishes afterwards? All established casinos have restaurants of some description on their premises, but some have a selection that rivals the best hotels in the world.

Book your Christmas lunch at a casino restaurant and choose from a la carte options (you’ll need to double check this as they may only serve a set menu at Christmas) or buffet options that you didn’t have to cook yourself! Take it easy, enjoy the conversation, and avoid the hard work this year.

Enjoy the Vibe

Casinos are masters of decorating. Even during the off seasons, casinos are well decorated, and the lights that grace not only the casino floor but also the signs, trees, and restaurants are always beautiful. That said, nothing can match the Christmas spirit that casino decorations impart. Enormous red bows, fairy lights strung everywhere, Christmas trees decorated with glinting baubles. It’s a surefire way to get yourselves into the spirit of the season!

Book a Stay

Your favourite casino almost certainly has a luxurious hotel attached to it, so why not book a staycation? Sleep on the fluffiest pillows, wake up in an enormous bed, order room service, try out the pool and the fitness centre, and spend your holiday somewhere a little different than usual.

Booking a stay at the casino hotel may give you access to special events, services, or packages available to hotel guests only, which are especially fun and exciting at this time of year. Some casinos have ice rinks, shopping centres, and even theatres or nightclubs where you and your family or friends can pass the time. A Christmas staycation? What’s not to love?!

The Wong Halves System can be used in land-based casinos.

Play A Little

What is your game? Maybe you enjoy a few spins at the slot machines, or perhaps you prefer blackjack or roulette? You’ll have access to all your favourite casino games if you’re spending Christmas at a casino! Most casinos are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and every day of the year. You may want to check if table games (or any game that has a live dealer) are all open on Christmas Day as some casinos in certain areas may run a smaller than normal staff on the day.

Naturally, children under the legal gambling age won’t be allowed onto the casino floor, so if you’re with your family, you may want to save the casino games for Boxing Day instead. If you’re enjoying a solo Christmas or travelling with a friend or partner you could have a wonderful time sipping coffee or maybe a delicious Christmas cocktail while enjoying the fun entertainment.

Things to Note

You’ll probably need to book casino accommodation for the holidays far in advance, particularly if you are planning to visit a casino that is in a popular holiday destination like New York or London. The same goes for booking a Christmas lunch or Christmas Eve dinner.

Check with the casino before you arrive to confirm what parts of the casino, if any, will be going dark for Christmas. Every casino has different policies, so checking ahead of time will help you manage your expectations for the trip.

Related Christmas Casino Articles

Why Casinos Stay Open During the Holidays

While many businesses close their doors on Christmas Day, casinos often take a different approach. The festive period offers more leisure time for many people while they are away from work, making it a natural time to look for entertainment and dining. As casinos can offer both under one roof, many resorts embrace the holiday season, sometimes with slightly adjusted schedules.

For visitors, this means there is somewhere lively to go when most of the outside world feels quiet. Whether it is a late-morning session or an evening visit after Christmas dinner, the casino atmosphere can be a welcome change of pace for some.

An Alternative to Staying In

Not everyone wants a full day at home during Christmas. For couples, friends or families, a casino visit can provide a change of scenery without the pressure of hosting or organising gatherings.

For many players, casinos are a place for relaxed social interaction, from conversations over a meal to sharing a couple of games at a table. Even without playing, lounges and other public spaces offer a welcoming setting where people can enjoy drinks and live music.

Casino Isn’t Just for Christmas Day

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Many players choose to time their casino visit just before or just after Christmas Day itself. Decorations remain up, the seasonal atmosphere is still there, and the pace can feel slightly calmer once the main day is over.

PokerStars is hosting the Xmas Rush promotion throughout Christmas.

Stay at Home with PokerStars Online Casino

Not every festive plan involves leaving the house. For those who prefer to stay at home over Christmas, PokerStars offers many ways to enjoy seasonal-themed games while still keeping their home comforts.

Playing online casino games offers a lot of flexibility, which means players can have short sessions between family commitments or during the evening when things begin winding down. From online slots to live dealer games, playing from home removes travel time and can fit more easily around family plans. Sessions can be kept relaxed and treated as entertainment, which is what the festive period is all about.

Xmas Rush: A Festive Promotion

Over the Christmas period, PokerStars is running Xmas Rush, a seasonal promotion built around 16 slot-based challenges. Players can opt in through the Challenges Window and work through the grid in order, picking up rewards along the way such as Free Spins on selected slots, Casino Instant Bonuses, Mystery Chests and Vault prizes.

If players manage to complete all 16 challenges, they also earn a ticket to the Xmas Rush prize draw, which offers a spread of cash prizes. As with all promotions, players get the choice to opt in or not. 

Christmas at the Casino

Are you ready for a fun, festive, easy Christmas this year? Enjoy the best entertainment, a wide selection of casino games, and delicious meals and beverages when you spend your Christmas at your favourite casino.

FAQs

Are casinos open on Christmas Day?

Many big casinos stay open on Christmas Day, often with festive decorations, dining options and adjusted holiday schedules. On PokerStars, many festive RNG games can be played all year round.

Do casino hotels offer special Christmas packages?

Some casino resorts put together seasonal packages that can include hotel stays, set menus, spa access or tickets to shows.

Is it suitable to visit a casino at Christmas with family?

It can be, depending on the group. Underage guests will not be allowed on the gaming floor, but many casinos have restaurants, live music and lounge areas for families to enjoy together.

Can Christmas casino entertainment be enjoyed from home?

Yes. On PokerStars, players can play seasonal slots and live dealer games. There are also festive promotions such as Xmas Rush, which can fit around family plans.

Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1