Whether you want to try your luck with dice, cards, slots or the roulette wheel, you’ll find plenty of chances to make that big win at casinos around the world. These 10 temples of temptation, decked out with opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, elevate gambling to an art form.
Gambling has been part of civilization for millennia, with the earliest evidence dating back to 2300 BC China. Dice games were popular in the 1400s, when baccarat appeared, followed by blackjack in the 1600s. In recent times, casino games have evolved to include more sophisticated betting strategies, including card counting and game theory.
In addition to offering a range of gaming options, casinos also provide a variety of dining and entertainment options for their patrons. These revenue-generating amenities are crucial to a casino’s financial success and help to enhance the overall customer experience. Regardless of the type of casino, all casino facilities must have adequate security measures in place to prevent cheating and theft, which can occur in various forms, from collusion among patrons or by individual staff members.
The biggest casino in the United States is located in Ledyard, Connecticut, and is operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Indian tribe. With a total of 4.7 million square feet, the Foxwoods Resort Casino offers six different casinos with more than 7,000 slot machines and 17 table games. The property also houses one of the largest bingo halls in the country and a two-story arcade for children.
Another American icon is the Las Vegas Strip, home to a multitude of mega-resorts and super-casinos that cater to every gambling need and appetite. With Michelin-starred restaurants, designer shops and top-billed entertainment, these behemoths are designed to put a dent in your wallet while leaving you with lasting memories.
Macao’s glitzy Hotel Lisboa is a dazzling, birdcage-like structure that features more than a million LED lights. Its interior is equally impressive, attracting hardened gamblers and celebrity visitors alike with its range of poker tables, blackjack tables and roulette wheels.
The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden was a playground for European royalty 150 years ago, and still draws high-rollers to its palatial casinos, which are decked out with baroque flourishes. One of them, the Kurhaus, once belonged to affluent socialite Marlene Dietrich, and is now renowned for its luxurious poker rooms and blackjack tables.
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is a stunning architectural achievement, and one of the most expensive casinos in the world. Taking its cue from the iconic Palace of Versailles, the sprawling complex is a sight to behold, with its shimmering towers and endless rows of slot machines and poker tables. It has established itself as a must-visit destination, particularly for those with a taste for the finer things in life, and recently hired one of the world’s most famous chefs to oversee its restaurant offerings. It also hosts top-billed performers, from high-flying circus acts to musicians at the top of their charts.
