As gambling becomes more and more of a worldwide phenomenon, the best casinos are expanding their offerings to lure in more players. Expect larger rooms, more games and better buffets as casinos race to outdo each other in offering the ultimate casino experience. From the iconic MGM Grand in Las Vegas to a refined tropical hideaway in Monaco, these ten temples of temptation will leave you wanting more.
Gambling in some form or another has been part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of dice games dates back to 2300 BC, while card games arrived in Europe around 500 AD. The oldest known casino, the Monte Carlo, was constructed in 1863 and continues to be a symbol of wealth and glamour to this day.
Although some people gamble with the intention of winning, many lose money in the long run. This is because of the built-in advantage that most casinos possess, known as the house edge. This advantage varies among different casino games, with the game of blackjack having the lowest advantage in some places (as low as 0.28%), followed by baccarat and roulette. In contrast, craps has the highest advantage in some casinos (1.4% or more). Casinos use a variety of methods to ensure the integrity of their games, including security cameras and random number generators. Some casinos also monitor their games electronically, with betting chips having built-in microcircuitry that allows the casino to oversee exactly how much is wagered minute by minute and quickly alert staff to any statistical deviation from expected results.
