A place where people gamble on games of chance, especially those with an element of skill such as poker and blackjack. Casinos may also include entertainment venues and restaurants. Some casinos are designed to replicate a particular place or time period, such as the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco. Others are built around a theme, such as the Venetian Macau in China. The United States has the most casinos in the world, with over 2,147 licensed and 619 hotel-casinos.
Some casinos have catwalks on which surveillance personnel can look down directly, through one-way glass, on players at the tables. This is an attempt to create a sense of excitement and glamour, and to lure more people to the tables.
The Bellagio is a prime example, with its fountain that’s been featured in films like “The Hangover” and “Ocean’s 11.” The opulent hotel-casino complex includes high-end poker rooms, drawing numerous professional players, as well as 2,000 slot machines offering pots that can exceed $1 million. It’s also home to Michelin-star restaurants and exclusive fashion stores for upscale shoppers.
While gambling is popular all over the world, there are a few places that have carved out a specific reputation for it. Las Vegas is perhaps the most famous, but there are also many glitzy and luxurious casinos in Europe, Asia and beyond. The opulent Casino Baden-Baden in Germany is one of the oldest, and was inspired by ornate French palaces. The Grand Lisboa in Macau is another standout, with its dazzling exterior crowned by the largest LED dome in the world and 800 gaming tables spread across several large and lavishly decorated floors.