A casino (from Italian ‘casa’ meaning “house”) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports. In modern usage, the term is almost always used in reference to a commercial gaming facility licensed by a central government to operate legal games of chance for money.
In the past, the most famous casinos were lavish affairs with velvet-lined gambling tables and aristocratic clientele. But these days, the glitziest of the bunch offer more than just table games and slots. Many of the world’s most exclusive casinos combine five-star hotel accommodations with Michelin star restaurants, designer shops and top billed entertainers. So whether you’re looking to rub shoulders with the elite or just place your bets on red or black, check out these ten temples of decadence, where betting is elevated to an art form.
The Bellagio is perhaps the best-known casino in the world, thanks to its famed fountain that has been featured in countless movies, including The Hangover and Ocean’s Eleven. It’s also home to one of the best poker rooms on the Strip and regularly hosts World Poker Tour events. Its high-limit table limits attract many professional players.
Located in the posh German spa town of Baden-Baden, this elegant casino first opened its doors to royalty and aristocrats 150 years ago and continues to draw visitors from across Europe. Its elegance extends to its red-and-gold poker rooms and opulent roulette tables. The casino also hosts a number of high-end fashion shows each year.
With a name like this, you’d expect the Venetian to be one of the biggest casinos in the world. However, the $3.4 billion Vegas-style temple to excess actually holds a slightly lesser claim: it’s the largest single-structure hotel in Asia and has a total of nearly 3,000 rooms. That said, it still packs a ton of gambling into its cavernous space, with over 800 table games and 1,000 slot machines spread across its massive floors.
A storied gambling den, this Vegas landmark is a magnet for hardened dollar spinners and curious newbies alike. Its well-known poker room draws in the professional players while the rest of the casino is filled with a wide range of game tables and slots. What sets this casino apart from the competition though is its state of the art sports betting area, complete with 60 large plasma televisions that allow you to place your bets on American football, boxing and martial arts. All the while you can enjoy drinks and snacks from its stocked bar.