For those who enjoy the precision of golf and the thrill of gambling, there are resorts around the world that offer the perfect blend of both. These destinations provide not only world-class golf courses but also luxurious casinos, ensuring an unforgettable experience. While the UK boasts historic golf courses, it lacks the casino-golf combination found in other parts of the world. Let’s explore some of the best resorts that offer both.
Golf, a sport with roots tracing back to 15th-century Scotland, has evolved into a beloved pastime with courses that challenge and inspire. The UK, known for its historic links courses, is home to some of the most renowned golf courses in the world. However, for those seeking a combination of golf and casino entertainment, international destinations offer a unique experience.
The Allure of North American Resorts
North America, particularly the United States, is a haven for golf enthusiasts with its expansive courses and vibrant casino scenes. Here are some standout resorts that offer both:
Fortune Bay, Minnesota
Nestled on the shores of Lake Vermilion, Fortune Bay is an award-winning golf course that boasts majestic greens and pine tree-lined holes. The Wilderness course features a full-service pro shop and GPS-equipped carts, enhancing the golfing experience. After a day on the course, the resort’s casino offers a variety of games, including slots, blackjack, and poker, just a short walk from the clubhouse.
We-Ko-Pa, Arizona
In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, We-Ko-Pa resort is home to two of the best golf courses in the country, the Cholla and the Saguaro. Golfers can enjoy stunning views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks, and the Superstition Mountains. The resort’s casino is a sizeable affair, featuring a wide range of table games, slots, and a sportsbook.
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, Iowa
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort in Iowa offers the Blue Top Ridge course, spanning over 7,400 yards of tranquil, tree-lined greens. Guests can play the course and visit the casino as day guests or stay over at the hotel for a weekend getaway. The resort provides a perfect blend of golf and casino entertainment.
St Eugene, British Columbia
Located between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains near Cranbrook, St Eugene offers breathtaking views from every hole. The resort’s Casino of the Rockies features slots and table games, providing a perfect way to unwind after a day on the course.
European Elegance: Golf and Casino Resorts
Europe, with its rich history and stunning landscapes, is home to some of the most luxurious golf and casino resorts. These destinations offer a unique blend of culture, relaxation, and entertainment.
Hotel Peralada, Catalonia, Spain
Situated in the northern region of Catalonia, close to Figueres and the birthplace of Salvador Dali, Hotel Peralada stands out with its vineyard surroundings and an 18-hole golf course. The resort’s Casino Peralada, housed in a medieval castle, is said to be the only casino in the world set within such a historic structure.
Domaine de Divonne, France
Tucked beneath the Jura mountains in eastern France, near Lake Geneva and the Swiss border, Domaine de Divonne offers an 18-hole course, a casino, and a spa with views stretching towards Mont Blanc. It’s a relaxed spot to play a round and then try your luck in the evening.
Evian Resort, France
On the French shore of Lake Geneva, the Evian Resort is home to the famous bottled water and a championship course with serious pedigree. The Champions Course hosts big tournaments every year, while a shorter academy course nearby is ideal for beginners. The resort’s casino provides a perfect way to round off the day.
Africa’s Golfing Paradise
Africa’s vast and diverse landscapes provide a stunning backdrop for some of the world’s most impressive golf courses. The heat can be intense, but the rewards are well worth it. Here are a few standout resorts that offer both golf and casino entertainment.
With its jaw-dropping landscapes, Africa is home to some of the most impressive golf courses in the world. The heat can be intense, but the rewards are well worth it. Here are a few standout resorts that offer both golf and casino entertainment.
Georgetown, Texas, has become a popular retirement destination, offering warm weather, an active retirement community, and access to multiple golf courses within the Sun City development. The city’s lack of state income tax and competitive home prices make it an attractive option for retirees. However, the real question is whether Georgetown’s retirement appeal holds up when viewed through a financial lens.
Georgetown anchors Sun City Texas, a Del Webb 55+ community with three courses: Legacy Hills, White Wing, and Cowan Creek. Outside the gate, Cimarron Hills and Berry Creek offer private-club options. Texas has no state income tax and ranks 7th on the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index, with a per capita state and local tax burden of $5,897. Statewide cost of living lands at 97.057 on the BEA index, roughly 3% below the national average.
Single-story homes inside golf communities sell between the high $300s and mid $500s, in a town with a median home value around $449,000 and Williamson County effective property tax rate near 1.39%. That property tax rate is the number most newcomers underestimate.
A comfortable two-person Sun City retirement in current dollars, assuming a paid-off $425,000 home, includes property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, home maintenance, golf for two players, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, travel, gifts, personal expenses, and federal income tax on portfolio withdrawals. The total comes to about $72,000 a year for three or four rounds of golf weekly and regular dining out. Trim golf and travel to $60,000, but then you are buying a house in a golf community without using it as one.
The portfolio target, with Social Security doing its real share, requires about $560,000 invested, on top of the paid-off house. Total assets needed: roughly $1 million, with the home representing close to half. If one spouse claims at 62 and takes the permanent reduction, the portfolio target moves to about $800,000. If you retire at 60 and bridge five years to Medicare and Social Security, add at least $150,000 for ACA-subsidized premiums and managed MAGI, drawing closer to 3.5% during bridge years.
Most discussions of Georgetown focus on Texas’s lack of a state income tax. That benefit is real, but it is only part of the equation. Long-term retirement success in Central Texas depends just as much on property taxes, homeowners insurance costs, and the protections available to older homeowners.
One of the most valuable benefits for retirees in Williamson County begins at age 65. After filing the appropriate homestead exemption, homeowners can freeze the school-tax portion of their property tax bill. Future increases in home values will not increase that portion of the tax burden. Over a retirement that may last 20 to 30 years, that protection can save a substantial amount of money and is one of the primary reasons Georgetown remains financially attractive despite its relatively high property tax rates.
The protection is not absolute. The tax freeze applies only to school district taxes and does not affect city, county, or special district levies. It also does nothing to control homeowners insurance costs. Insurance has become one of the fastest-growing household expenses in Texas, driven in part by hail, wind, and severe storm activity across Central Texas. Retirees evaluating Georgetown should assume insurance costs will rise meaningfully over time and revisit coverage limits and deductibles on a regular basis.
Another advantage is the area’s housing market. Sun City continues to add new homes and attract retirees, helping maintain a steady flow of buyers and sellers. That matters because retirement planning is not only about moving in. For many retirees, the eventual plan includes downsizing again, moving closer to family, or transitioning to assisted living. Communities with active resale markets offer greater flexibility when those decisions arise.
For a retired couple hoping to enjoy Georgetown’s golf-centered lifestyle, a reasonable target is approximately $1 million in total assets. That could consist of a paid-off home valued around $425,000 and an investment portfolio of roughly $560,000 to $600,000, supplemented by average Social Security benefits and a 4% withdrawal strategy.
Those planning to retire before age 65 should consider adding at least $150,000 to cover healthcare costs and other expenses before Medicare eligibility begins. Retirees should also account for homeowners association fees, golf memberships or annual play passes, and rising insurance costs when building their long-term budget.
Georgetown stands out because the lifestyle, combined with the financial benefits, makes it an attractive destination for retirees seeking a golf-centered lifestyle.
