How The White Lotus sparked a tourism and gambling boom

The White Lotus is an American dark comedy-drama anthology television series created for HBO. It follows the exploits of guests and staff during a week at a luxury global resort hotel chain.

Each season is set at a different White Lotus resort hotel and is mostly self-contained. It tells the story of the guests and staff at the White Lotus, whose interactions are affected by their various social dysfunctions.

After each day, a darker complexity slowly emerges in the hotel's employees, wealthy guests, and the luxury hotel itself.

But the question remains: How easy is gambling in these beautiful places? Because every nation has different gambling laws and regulations, the gaming environment in these countries is as varied as their landscapes.

Hawaii: Luxury escapes without the gambling thrill

The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which was used as the fictional White Lotus hotel in the show's first season, enthralled us with its breathtaking Maui coastline.

Despite the increase in tourism, Hawaii remains one of the most conservative U.S. states regarding gambling laws. Unlike Las Vegas or Atlantic City, it completely bans all forms of gambling, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, and charity bingo.

The U.S. gambling regulations are extremely strict, and the government is enforcing these laws, prioritising Hawaii’s image as a family-friendly and nature-centric destination.

Although tourists looking for a high-stakes thrill might be disappointed, Hawaii offers exclusive experiences, from luxury beachfront villas to world-class spas. For those determined to gamble, a short flight to Las Vegas will provide a legal and thrilling alternative.

Italy: Where The White Lotus meets casino glamour

The second season of The White Lotus is set in Italy, where the picturesque San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily, served as the luxurious White Lotus resort.

Following the season's release demands to stay in the former 14th-century monastery turned luxury hotel that offers dramatic clifftop views of the Mediterranean and Mount Etna are increasing.

Unlike Hawaii, Italy embraces gambling as part of its entertainment culture. The country is home to several legal casinos, making it an appealing destination for tourists seeking both luxury and gaming excitement.

Even though there isn’t a casino directly at the San Domenico Palace, visitors can still enjoy sports betting, slot machines, and poker rooms found throughout the country. Italy's relaxed gambling regulations allow tourists to combine their love for history, fine dining and gaming into one luxurious trip.

Thailand: Tourism booms, but casinos stay off the table

Season 3 is set in Thailand, with high expectations for another tourism surge. The White Lotus is primarily filmed at the Four Seasons Bangkok, and other exotic Thai locations will serve as the backdrop, promising stunning visuals and a renewed interest in the country's high-end travel scene.

However, when it comes to gambling, Thailand’s stance remains strict. Casinos are illegal, and the Thai government enforces heavy penalties on illegal gambling operations.

The only legal form of betting is through government-sanctioned lottery games and horse racing. The underworld of gaming is widespread, with reports suggesting that illegal casinos operate in secret locations across Thailand.

Interestingly, Thailand has recently begun talks about legalising casinos in an effort to boost tourism revenue. It's a known fact that a liberalised market with more open gambling laws influences tourism and economic growth.

The government is considering allowing casino resorts in designated areas. If this succeeds, Thailand could soon become Southeast Asia's major gambling hotspot.

Still, tourists seeking casino action must travel to nearby destinations like Cambodia or Malaysia, where large gaming resorts welcome international tourists.

How The White Lotus redefined luxury travel

The series has proven to be more than just a TV show; it's more of a cultural phenomenon influencing tourism. The “White Lotus Effect” on tourism has been remarkable, with luxury resorts featured in the series experiencing increased bookings as fans seek to immerse themselves in the show’s setting.

In addition to the financial impact, its release attracted a surge of tourists eager to experience the luxury and wonders of the world, further boosting local economies.

The phenomenon is called "screen tourism" or "set-jetting," which occurs when people travel to visit the locations featured in TV shows, movies, or other forms of media.

The popularity of The White Lotus shows that viewers want complex narratives highlighting some of the most stunning locations on Earth while fusing amusement and social criticism. As it embarks on its fourth season, The White Lotus has already cemented its status as a legendary storytelling accomplishment in television history.

Breaking the record

The season 2 finale attracted 4.1 million viewers across all platforms, a 70% increase over the season 1 finale. The numbers tell an impressive story, with social media dominance and critical acclaim, including 15 Emmy Awards, a testament to the show's success beyond traditional viewing.

The White Lotus has surpassed big-name predecessors like True Detective to become HBO's most-watched anthology series ever.