Casinos come and go. Some are torn down. Some are left to rot. Others never make it past blueprints. But each one tells a story. A story of big dreams, wild spending, and changing times. In the world of 22Bet gambling, even buildings have a gamble to make. Some win. Many lose.
The Dunes: Vanished Like a Mirage
The Dunes in Las Vegas opened in 1955. It was one of the early giants on the Strip. Known for its Arabian theme, it stood proud with a giant sultan’s head sign. The Dunes brought in headliners, gamblers, and dreamers.
But the casino faded. Newer, flashier resorts pushed it aside. In 1993, it was demolished in a massive explosion. Today, the Bellagio stands where it once was. The Dunes are gone, but their ghost lingers in old postcards and memories.
The Xanadu That Never Was
Xanadu was meant to be a tropical paradise on the Vegas Strip. Planned in the 1970s, it would have featured waterfalls, faux beaches, and a massive domed casino. Early designs showed indoor lagoons and high-tech hotel rooms.
But the dream fizzled out. Permits stalled. Finances collapsed. And the desert stayed empty. All that remains are blueprints and marketing materials. Xanadu now lives only in “what could have been” articles.
A Gritty Ghost in the Desert: The Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge opened in 1955 in Las Vegas. It was the first racially integrated casino in the city. That alone made it historic. Celebrities, civil rights leaders, and locals gathered there. The architecture was sleek, mid-century modern, with flashing signs and neon curves.
But it didn’t last. Financial issues shut it down in just six months. Fires, decay, and neglect followed. Pieces of the structure burned down multiple times. Now, only a marker remains. A modern hotel was proposed, but never built.
The Never-Built London Resort Casino
Planned for the outskirts of London, this mega casino was pitched as the “UK’s answer to Disneyland.” It wasn’t just a casino. The project promised hotels, theaters, and a monorail. Backers included major studios and developers.
But delays and environmental issues kept pushing things back. Then funding vanished. In 2022, the final proposal was withdrawn. The site? Still empty. The dreams? Still large.
Las Vegas’ Harmon Tower: Built Wrong, Torn Down
The Harmon Tower was part of the CityCenter project in Las Vegas. Meant to be a sleek, modern hotel, it reached 26 stories before engineers discovered a fatal flaw. Steel reinforcements had been placed incorrectly. It wasn’t safe.
Legal battles followed. Some wanted to finish it. Others wanted it gone. In 2015, the tower was demolished without ever opening to the public. It was one of the few Vegas high-rises taken down without ever holding a single guest.
The Greek Isles and the Crumbling Riviera
Las Vegas has no shortage of ruins. The Greek Isles Casino, once called the Debbie Reynolds Hotel, was supposed to be a mix of vintage charm and themed kitsch. It never gained traction. Over time, it faded into bankruptcy and dust.
Then there’s the Riviera. A true icon. Opened in 1955. Closed in 2015. Demolished in 2016. Its casino floor once hosted Elvis impersonators, mobsters, and movie shoots. But nostalgia couldn’t save it from the bulldozers. Now it’s a parking lot.
Macau’s Grand Hope: Never Came to Life
In Asia’s gambling capital, Macau, one mega-casino nearly happened. The “Macau Studio City Phase 2” was meant to be even bigger than its sister resort. Concept art showed floating pagodas, sky gardens, and immersive movie sets.
Permits were granted. Foundations were dug. But work stalled due to regulations and shifting politics. Years passed. The site gathered dust. And another dream began to fade.
Architecture Built on Luck
Casinos are built on hope and risk. Their buildings are the same. Some rise high, glow bright, and make their mark. Others collapse before their doors ever open.
The architecture of defunct casinos is a visual story of ambition. You can see the curves, the neon, the marble. And you can feel the loss when they disappear.
Each demolished casino leaves behind more than rubble. It leaves behind stories, symbols, and questions. What if it had worked? What would it look like today?