The World’s Best Casinos

From Las Vegas to Monaco, the world’s best casinos offer high stakes and high luxury. From dazzling slot machines to red-and-gold poker rooms, these destinations bring that thrilling feel people experience vicariously through casino-themed movies to life. In addition to table games and gambling, they typically feature top-notch hotels, spas, restaurants, and entertainment.

The word casino derives from the Italian Casin, meaning little castle. It is believed that the first modern casino opened in 1863 at the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, which still operates today. Since then, casinos have spread to almost every major city in the world. They can be found in cities such as Las Vegas, Monaco, Macau, and Singapore. They are usually surrounded by luxurious accommodations and breath-taking art.

Most casinos specialize in card and table games, with the most popular being baccarat, blackjack, and trente et quarante. Some offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai gow. Some are entirely automated, with players betting by pushing buttons instead of handling chips.

Technology has exploded in casinos during the 1990s. Video cameras and computer systems monitor game play, overseeing the exact amount wagered minute by minute, and warning about any anomalies in expected results. In some cases, such as in “chip tracking,” the actual betting chips are fitted with microcircuitry that allows them to be electronically monitored; roulette wheels are regularly tested and warned about any deviation from statistical expectation.