The Canary Islands are one of those destinations that have something for everyone. For families, they represent a great place to retreat to for some fun in the sun. For an older generation, they’re the slow-paced destination for the ultimate comfort and relaxation.
For young adults, particularly from the UK, they’re the place to party amid some of the most beautiful scenery and at some of the hottest bars and clubs. However, one thing that is notably absent from the party scene is a real culture of gaming establishments that capitalise on the market looking for thrills alongside their clubbing.
Yes, there are a number of casinos dotted around the islands, including Casino Las Palmas and Casino Playa de las Americas, but in terms of how the islands are marketed and the venues integrated, they’re very much out of sight of tourists.
As the islands struggle with their relationship with tourism, is it time to change the approach to it on the island, and could the casino hold the key to that? For Brits looking to visit, is it time to redirect their party vibe to casino resorts?
The last three decades have seen casino gaming grow to a level that very few could have ever predicted. This was, unsurprisingly, predicated by the revolutionary nature of the internet.
The introduction of online sites that hosted casino games meant that people in areas underserved by physical venues or who simply preferred to play at home could enjoy the games from the casino floor.
The online gaming revolution has allowed the industry to grow, and nowhere is this clearer than with players from the UK. It’s a nation of slot lovers, as a look at any online casino in the UK would show.
The catalogues of these sites are dominated by video slots of all different kinds and themes, with jackpot slots in particular proving popular. It shows that there’s a demand for casino gaming from one of the main demographics to visit the islands.
Not that it’s just the Brits, either. This is a trend that can be seen all across the globe. According to data from Statista, global gaming revenue is predicted to reach a whopping US$470 billion in 2025.
That just goes to show that there is a huge market for casino gaming no matter where your visitors are from, and the Canaries would do well to capitalise on the continued growth of the industry by appealing to those gamers.
The current selection of casinos on the islands is not to be scoffed at. There are other big cities in Spain alone that can’t rival the Canaries’ casino landscape.
However, it’s more about how these are intertwined with the culture of the rest of the islands that could be improved. It’s no good having great venues if they’re largely seen as supplementary and often hidden from view.
Instead, this part of the islands’ culture should be both promoted and strengthened. This could be by developing more Vegas-style resorts that cater to all forms of entertainment and leisure. Residencies from famous artists like musicians and DJs could draw in crowds, while great hotels within which the casino floors are housed could provide even more luxury to visitors.
Even the clubs that so many of the Spanish islands have become famous for could be incorporated into these venues. It would be a great way of establishing that this isn’t a disparate part of the islands’ bustling nightlife and is, instead, a fundamental part.
In places like Vegas, casinos are not just the slots and table games that people enjoy playing. They’re entertainment hubs and even famous for their restaurants.
It remains to be seen if there will ever be a famous casino scene for the islands. And it doesn’t seem as if this is the right time for such discussions. As locals and the authorities both grapple with overtourism, it’s not going to be a priority for either group.
Instead, it is likely to be something that many will discuss as a potential, should the tourism concerns be assuaged and a second wave of a tourism boom appear. Until then, we can look at destinations like Vegas as great business cases for the future.
Gamble Responsibly: Gambling should be enjoyed as a form of entertainment, not a way to earn money. Always gamble within your financial means and set limits to stay in control. You must be 18 or older to participate in gambling activities. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, seek help from organisations like FEJAR (Federación Española de Jugadores de Azar Rehabilitados) at www.fejar.org. Stay safe and gamble responsibly.
