There are many beautiful cities in India, but perhaps the most scenic is Udaipur. Often called the ‘Venice of the East’, this is a one of the most luxury destinations in the country, snuggled beside the tranquil Lake Pichola, and boasting several sparkling lakes against the backdrop of the Aravail hills. 

For a while now, the Udaipur destination has been a luxury vacation for thousands of people, but over the last few years, tourism has shot through the roof. In 2023, Udaipur received a record 19.9 million tourists, with 100,000 more visiting last year. It might be one of the most expensive tourist places in India, with the Taj Lake Palace, specifically, being one of India’s most expensive hotels, but for those who want a slice of India luxury, that’s exactly what makes this place so alluring. 

And there is another reason, of course. Yes, Udaipur is a hotspot for travellers due to its scenic landscape and bustling culture, but over the last few years, it has also become an attractive spot for casino players. With a range of Udaipur luxury resorts offering gambling amenities – as well as upcoming 5 star hotels in India 2024 now in operation – Udaipur has been finding a place for itself in the casino scene, to the point where it could become India’s next luxury casino tourism destination. But why is this the case and is it truly worth a visit for casino players?

India’s Blossoming Casino Scene 

India’s casino scene has similarly been growing over the last decade, with an estimated 12.17 people utilising India’s online gambling market in 2025. With new customer casino bonuses and offers being announced every day, that number is expected to grow by 8.5% a year until 2027, and this has introduced more people to the traditional casino scene. 

Since there are so many options for high-end entertainment across the country, the traditional casino landscape has been catapulted to new heights, with many taking advantage of the VIP gaming destinations in India, including tourists. That being said, the high-end travel experiences in India are spread out across the country, with some of the most popular casino spots including Goa, Panaji, and Gagotok. In many ways, elite gambling tourists have been waiting for a region to stand tall above the others, declaring itself as the place to be if you’re a luxury land-based casino lover. And it seems Udaipur is looking to do just that.

Udaipur As An Elite Gambling Hotspot

As mentioned before, Udaipur has long been the place to go for those wanting luxury vacations in India. Across the board, there are stunning palatial hotels, serene lakes, and a rich cultural heritage that makes this one of the most premium destinations in Rajasthan. But apart from being one of the most exclusive vacation spots in India, it’s also one of the most exclusive gambling spots. 

Take the Leela Palace, for example. While not specifically a casino, this is one of India’s top 5-star resorts that offers a regal ambiance and private entertainment options – including exclusive gaming nights or private high-stakes games arranged on request. It’s characterised by its gorgeous architecture, which blends traditional Rajasthani aesthetics with modern luxury, and the opulent setting of Lake Pichola is the icing on the cake. For those looking for luxury places in India that allow for VIP gaming nights, it has become a truly sought after location, and certainly one of Rajasthan's top luxury stays. 

As well as this, there is also Taj Lake Palace, which we mentioned earlier. Good enough for the top 10 richest person in Udaipur, this is a fantastic floating palace where VIP gaming nights are constantly arranged for guests. Offering a Udaipur royal experience, this has become a go-to for high-net-worth tourists in India, with a fantastic gaming setting that radiates elegance and exclusivity – not least because it’s set in the middle of Lake Pichola! 

With the Oberoi Udaivilas and the RAAS Devigarh also on the list for high-end entertainment in India, it’s clear that the city is making a name for itself in the VIP entertainment area, and there’s no telling how far things might go as the gambling and hotel landscape develops. But things definitely have to develop for it to go further.

The Developing Hotel and Casino Landscape

There are thousands of luxurious places in India, including exclusive hotels in Udaipur and Udaipur private villas, and with many of these resorts offering gaming amenities, it’s no wonder luxury casino travellers are taking advantage. But that’s not to say the landscape has hit its peak. Yes, some pre opening hotels in India have created a buzz in the travelling and gaming industry, but there are still several obstacles that could shake their development. 

The casino scene in Udaipur, for instance, is yet to become fully accessible. Regulatory challenges remain one of the biggest hurdles, as Rajasthan is still behind Goa and Sikkim in offering fully-fledged casino operations. As well as this, as we mentioned before, the luxury lifestyle in Rajasthan means it has some of the most expensive hotels in India, which is fine for VIP travellers, but might be causing others to rethink their chosen destination. For high-end resorts in Rajasthan to truly start attracting luxury casino tourism, there need to be more options for travellers and, most importantly, a more open regulatory landscape to give casinos and players more freedom. 

Travelling to Udaipur

For now, the city has great potential. In fact, we might be getting a little ahead of ourselves talking about the city as a luxury casino hotspot, because for many travellers, that potential is enough. For those who want ultra-luxury stays in India, this is a beautiful spot that will not only reward you from a scenic point of view, but also scratch that high-stakes itch. Over the last few years, many elite travelers in Udaipur have been visiting spots mentioned earlier, such as the Leela Palace and the Oberoi Udaivilas, but there are many other top hotels in Udaipur we haven’t yet talked about.

If you want to feel like you’re in a movie in Udaipur, you have to visit Fateh Prakash Palace, which is nestled within the City Palace complex. This is one of the best heritage hotels in Udaipur, built in the early 20th century by Maharana Fateh Singh, and still retaining its majestic charm today. It might not have a casino, but it’s very close to the Udaipur Railway Station, which offers direct routes to several VIP gambling spots – even casinos in Delhi aren’t too far away, with the Delhi to Udaipur Shatabdi train fare unlikely to cause a dent in most elite travellers’ wallets. 

Luxury retreats in Udaipur also include Shiv Niwas Palace – yes, you may have noticed there are many iconic palaces turned hotels in India, and this is yet another one! – and this is perfect if you want that royal heritage experience with all the amenities of a traditional hotel. 

Originally built as the residence of Maharana Fateh Singh, elite travellers in Udaipur have been blown away by the building’s exquisite rooms and suites, as well as its spectacular lake and city views – which are particularly beautiful from its terraces. For those who have visited, another high point is the fine dining experience, with the Shiv Niwas Palace offering a variety of Rajasthani and international cuisines, including traditional Indian food like thali, laal maas, and dal baati churma.

Once again, Shiv Niwas Palace doesn’t offer casino amenities – as noted before, full regulation will be needed before Udaipur can call itself a luxury casino tourism destination – but it is still close to many places that do, including the Leela Palace and Taj Lake Palace, which are situated in the same area. With this in mind, if you want high-stakes travel in India, it can still form the perfect hub that offers that experience and then some!

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Udaipur is a brilliant place to visit, whether you’re a casino player or not. There were many luxury hotel openings in India 2024, but some of the best and most exclusive were in this region, proving just how much the travel industry in the region is growing. With so much to do in Udaipur, the city, with its scenic lakes, royal heritage, and serene landscapes, continues to be an appealing location for travellers worldwide, specifically those seeking opulence and tranquility, which Udaipur offers in spades. 

As luxury resorts and exclusive villas continue to emerge, it’s also likely that Udaipur will solidify itself as the number one destination for high-end experiences, but as for the luxury casino experience, it will be interesting to see if the potential is realised. Yes, premium hospitality in India is blossoming, but there is still so much room for the casino industry to truly catch alight. When and if it does, Udaipur will surely be the next luxury casino tourism destination, and will form the epicentre of elite tourism in India, but until that point, all we can do is watch how the landscape changes.

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