Laughlin, Nevada, Is the Perfect Las Vegas Dupe

Going to Las Vegas is glitz, glamour, and late-night fun rolled into one—but, the one thing that usually comes with a trip to Sin City is Vegas-style pricing. However, there is one way to get all the fun of Vegas without having to take out a loan, and that’s by visiting a “dupe” destination. 

As Travel + Leisure previously explained, travel dupes are those lesser-known destinations that are very similar to other, more popular spots, but still have the same fantastic level of entertainment, dining, and fun—just usually at a lower price point and with more hotel availability during the high season.

In July, the entertainment experts at CryptoCasinos.online, a platform for casino and gaming insights, shared its list of the five best budget-friendly destinations in the U.S. that provide the “thrills, entertainment, and casino action Vegas is famous for,” just in a different new zip code. 

“These alternatives prove you don’t need to break the bank to experience world-class gaming, vibrant nightlife, and memorable entertainment,” the company said in its report.

After looking at all the information, it put Laughlin, Nevada, at No. 4 on its list. And that’s rather appropriate when you learn that it’s often called “Vegas’s little brother.”

“Laughlin sits right on the Colorado River and offers a more relaxed, affordable version of the Nevada casino experience, with hotel rates dramatically lower than Vegas,” the team wrote in its report. “The average nightly hotel rate in Laughlin is £61, while in Vegas it approaches a whopping £200. What’s more, the gaming floors are less crowded, giving you better odds of finding your favorite machines available.” 

It noted that the community’s riverside setting also provides the added bonus of “scenic beauty,” while its smaller size “means you can easily walk between multiple casino resorts without the exhausting distances of the Vegas Strip.” 

Other spots to make the list include Kansas City, Missouri, at number one thanks to its “surprising casino excitement with multiple gaming destinations and entertainment venues at prices that make Vegas look overpriced.” It’s followed by Vegas’ close buddy, Reno, Nevada, which the team said “delivers authentic Nevada casino culture without the inflated Strip prices. 

At number three is Biloxi, Mississippi, which made the list thanks to its “unique coastal backdrop,” and Tunica, Mississippi, which “has reinvented itself as a major casino destination in the Mississippi Delta.” 

But, again, if you’ve been saving your pennies, then a tried and true Vegas trip is worth it. And if you need a little help plotting your Sin City adventure, read our guide on how to plan the perfect trip to Las Vegas for the summer of 2025.