A casino, or casono, is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. This can be in the form of slots, table games like roulette and blackjack, or even sports betting. While gambling has traditionally been associated with organised crime, it is now considered a legitimate pastime for many. These behemoth casinos, from the likes of Las Vegas and Monaco to Macau, offer everything from opulent suites and spas to Michelin-starred restaurants and top-billed entertainment shows.
Although the precise origin of casino is unknown, the game is believed to have been around for centuries in various forms. Unlike poker, which involves a degree of skill, most casino games are pure luck and have a mathematical house edge, meaning the house always wins.
The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden was once the playground of nineteenth century European aristocrats, but these days the visitors are more likely to be high-flying accountants and lawyers. They come to indulge in the casino’s luxurious facilities, which include a dazzling array of table games and a range of other pastimes from fine dining to pop-up art installations.
Macau, once a Portuguese colony until 1999, is now China’s Monte Carlo. Its six entries on this list, including the world’s biggest casino, The Venetian Macau, boast a staggering amount of gambling space and opulent features like canals complete with bridges and gondolas. The massive complex also houses a live arena and Michelin-starred restaurants. The Venetian is also the second-biggest single-structure hotel on Earth, with over 3,000 rooms.