A Casino is a gambling establishment that offers a wide variety of games of chance and skill. In addition to traditional slot machines and table games like poker, blackjack, and roulette, most modern casinos also offer a variety of other entertainment options such as restaurants, bars, and even theaters. Casinos are located all over the world, and are operated by governments, private businesses, and Native American tribes.
Gambling in all its forms has been a part of human culture for millennia, and casino gambling is no exception. In fact, the first gambling establishments likely sprung up in Asia around 2300 BC, followed by dice in 500 AD and cards in the 1400s. Over the centuries, these games have been refined and perfected to create the modern casinos we know and love today.
Casinos generate billions of dollars each year for the corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that own them. They employ thousands of people and provide a multitude of services that contribute to the local economy. However, the casinos aren’t without their problems. In the United States, they’re often associated with crime and corruption and can damage property values in surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, they have a tendency to attract problem gamblers who can quickly become addicted and drain family finances.
In the early years of casino gambling, mobster money flowed steadily into Reno and Las Vegas. Mob money gave the casinos their swanky veneer and helped them overcome their seamy reputation, but it also created serious security problems. Gangsters were not content to simply provide the bankroll, and they took over casinos, abused their staffs, and manipulated the outcome of many games. Federal crackdowns and the risk of losing a gaming license at the slightest hint of mob involvement eventually pushed the mafia out of the casinos.
Today, a casino is typically a massive building that houses various gambling activities and sometimes entertainment shows. Some of the most famous casinos in the world are known for their opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, while others are renowned for their luxury hotel suites and stage shows. While there have certainly been less extravagant places that housed gambling activities, the 10 best casinos on our list are the ones that made an indelible mark on the world and evoke the thrilling feel that people experience vicariously when watching casino-themed movies.