The World’s Greatest Casinos

Whether you like to win big or just try your hand at some of the more exotic games, there’s a casino for you. Across the globe you can find casinos that offer everything from breathtaking decor to luxurious suites and high-limit gaming. The best of the bunch have a bit of glamour thrown in as well, so you can indulge your inner James Bond or Rambo and see how much the bankroll can take.

The term casino comes from the Latin word kaino, meaning “house of chance.” Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, with evidence of dice being found in 2300 BC China, and playing cards showing up in the 1400s (in modern-day terms, these would be the first poker variations such as Texas hold’em). In general, a casino game gives a long-term advantage to the house, which is why many casinos have security measures including cameras and the requirement that players keep their hands visible at all times. Players who have the skills to eliminate this edge are called advantage players.

Casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and even cruise ships. They’re also a major source of revenue for cities, and some have become tourist attractions in their own right. The largest casino in the world is the Belle Epoque-style Casino de Monte Carlo, located in Monaco. It has over 600 slot machines and tables featuring blackjack, English roulette, French roulette, craps, and more. The casino has been featured in a number of movies and TV shows, most famously the 2005 Ben Mezrich book Busting Vegas.