The World’s Most Eco-Friendly Casinos

The combination of sustainability and casinos isn’t a pairing you’d expect to find. Casinos are, after all, about excess and luxury, values that often oppose those of sustainability. However, the entertainment and hospitality industries are facing increased pressure to take more environmental action. This pressure comes from clients and guests but is also internal as companies put pressure on themselves to develop more cost-effective strategies and systems to increase revenue.

While the casino industry’s sustainable steps remain small, some casinos — particularly the six in this article — have made much larger strides in their environmental approach to have a more significant and positive environmental impact. On that note, let’s delve into what these casinos have done and are working towards with their eco-friendly initiatives.

1. City of Dreams Luxury Resort (Manila, Philippines)

The City of Dreams Luxury Resort takes a holistic approach to sustainability by considering its social and community effects alongside its environmental effects. The resort is ambitious in its goal, aiming to be carbon neutral and zero waste by 2030. 

One key step the City of Dreams has already taken is installing solar panels to offset its large carbon footprint. More specifically, it has installed enough solar panels to generate the same amount of energy that 7,000 households use annually. 

In addition to this renewable energy step, the resort has also implemented vermicomposting and an onsite greenhouse to support the resort’s decorative plants. By growing its decorative plants and producing its compost for them, the resort is significantly reducing its environmental footprint, as the flower industry has a significant negative impact on the planet (though it is making strides to address this). The resort also focuses on offering locally produced food and drinks and has removed single-use plastics.

2. Mandalay Bay Casino Resort (Las Vegas, United States)

The Mandalay Bay Casino Resort is located right on the Las Vegas Strip and is one of the more environmentally conscious resorts you’ll find there due to its 26 acres of solar panels. While this is certainly significant, the solar panels aren’t the only steps the Mandalay Bay Casino Resort has taken towards sustainability.

The casino has also done a lot to ensure its dining options are sustainably developed, and this eco-friendly mindset extends to napkins, takeaway containers, and cups, all of which are made with recycled or compostable materials. 

Like the City of Dreams Resort, Mandalay Bay also has an onsite greenhouse, though Mandalay Bay uses its greenhouse to supplement the kitchen by providing ingredients like fresh herbs. In addition to this, any suitable leftover food is sent to the Three Square Food Bank, reducing the resort’s food waste, which has a massive carbon footprint, and supporting the community.

When it comes to more permanent fixtures, like glass table tops and plumbing, the resort uses recycled glass and water-saving options. For lighting, the resort opts to only use low-energy LEDs.

3. Caesars Palace (Las Vegas, United States)

Another casino on the Las Vegas Strip that has become eco-conscious is the widely known and recognized Caesars Palace. The Octavius Convention Center is Caesars Entertainment’s first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. The company has since followed LEED building principles in other new constructions, though it has not had them formally certified.

In addition, Caesars Palace and other casino resorts owned by Caesars Entertainment aim to be carbon neutral by 2050. The company focuses on developing solar energy, updating its HVAC systems, and converting lighting to LED options to reach its goals. Alongside these energy and emission goals, the company is also working towards reducing water use and waste in its operations.

4. Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom (Durban, South Africa)

Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom is owned by Sun International and is held to the company’s high sustainable standards. Sun International aligns its sustainability initiative with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This includes improving the efficiency of the Sibaya Casino’s energy use while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, and water use. 

As with the United Nations sustainability goals, Sibaya Casino’s sustainability initiative also encompasses the company’s social impact. Because of this, the casino aims to support local food producers and to help with food security and education by partnering with programs like Rise Against Hunger South Africa and the Department of Basic Education.

5. Venetian Macao Casino Resort (Macao, China)

The Venetian Macao Casino Resort has been awarded and certified for its environmental action, earning the Macao Green Hotel Award in 2020. Like other casino resorts on this list, the Venetian Macao also includes its social impact within its sustainability goals, and like the Sibaya Casino, it aligns its goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

When it comes to the environment, the casino’s key goals are to reduce emissions, water use, and waste production. It aims to introduce solar power and other renewable energy systems to its property and generally incorporate overall sustainable practices in its operations. The casino is transparent about its goals and progress towards them, showing an ongoing commitment to improve its impact.

6. Bellagio (Las Vegas, United States)

The Bellagio is another casino resort found on the Las Vegas Strip owned by a parent company (MGM Resorts) that is dedicating itself to sustainability. Like the Sibaya Casino and Venetian Macao casino resorts, it aligns its goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. 

The Bellagio has taken on ambitious sustainability goals to complete by 2025. These goals include reducing its carbon emissions by 45% and energy use by 33%. Some of the ways it is keeping on track to meet these goals are opting for renewable energy sources and prioritizing water conservation and stewardship through recycled water systems.

Conclusion: Eco-Friendly Doesn’t Mean Luxury-Free

The casino industry still has a long way to go regarding its environmental impact, but these casinos are helping to lead the way. They’re examples that being eco-friendly doesn’t diminish the luxurious atmosphere that we’ve come to expect from casinos. 

If you’re looking for an eco-conscious casino experience but can’t make it to one of these eco-conscious casinos, opting for online casinos, like those at casinos.com, is your best bet. They’ll offer you the experience and fun of a casino while you’re waiting for land-based casinos to clean up their environmental act.