A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. In addition to offering gaming tables and machines, many casinos also offer hotel accommodations, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are designed to be large in size; for example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas is famous for its dancing fountains, Michelin-starred restaurants, and breath-taking art installations, and attracts high rollers from all over the world. Others are designed to be the biggest in their region or even the world: they offer more than just games, offering five-star hotel rooms and resorts, designer shopping, and top-billed entertainment shows, from Cirque du Soleil to big-name musicians.

A number of different games are played at casinos, including baccarat, chemin de fer, and blackjack. Regardless of the game, the house always has a mathematical advantage over the patrons; this advantage is known as the house edge. The house makes its profit by taking a percentage of all wagers or by charging an hourly rake. The casino may also give out complimentary items or comps to players.

In these ten temples of decadence, decked out in opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, gambling is elevated to an art form. From the iconic strip of Las Vegas to East Asia’s glitzy playground, these are the world’s most famous places where you can flick your chips and hope that fate, fortune, or a little luck returns them to your hands. For a fuller picture, see our article on the world’s largest casinos.