From Las Vegas to Monaco, the world’s top casinos combine high stakes with high luxury. Featuring opulent suites, spas and fine dining, they provide a high-glamour experience for those seeking a thrill from the roulette wheel or blackjack table.
Originally a public hall for music and dancing, the casino became synonymous with gambling by the second half of the 19th century. Today, the word casino describes a specific type of gambling establishment, with games played against the house rather than against other players (such as standard poker). Casinos are typically protected by surveillance cameras, and their staff enforce strict rules of conduct and behaviour.
The most prestigious of all casinos is the Monte Carlo, a luxurious resort in the principality of Monaco, which is famous for its wide selection of games, including French, English and American roulette, and blackjack and Texas hold ’em tables. Visitors must adhere to a smart-casual dress code, and the casino has featured in multiple James Bond films.
Macau, a former Portuguese colony which was handed back to China in 1999, is home to some of the world’s most lavish casinos. The Grand Lisboa is the city’s tallest structure and boasts a façade covered in a million LED lights, and it’s not just for high rollers, with its wide range of games, including baccarat and keno, catering to both novice and veteran gamblers. It is also a major center of entertainment, with regular shows and bar-top live music.