Ten Decadent Casinos

Casino is an elegantly decorated temple of temptation where gambling has been elevated to an art form. In these ten decadent casinos, decked out in opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, the stakes are high and the thrills are plentiful.

Gambling is big business globally, and casinos can be found in almost every country. The United States leads the world in casinos, with 2,147 licensed and 619 casino hotels, according to WorldCasinoDirectory, and more than 920 gambling cities.

Among land-based casinos, Monte Carlo in Monaco, which opened in 1863, is known for its opulence and has been featured in several James Bond movies. The WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma, meanwhile, boasts 17 restaurants—including Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill—and hosts top entertainers and events in its massive Global Event Center and Roman Colosseum.

In the world of table games, blackjack is a staple in American casinos and trente et quarante in France. Roulette appeals to small bettors, and casinos reduce the house edge to less than 1 percent to entice players. Slot machines, which require no skill and allow patrons to play in a matter of seconds, are the economic mainstay of most modern casinos.

Asian casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games, including sic bo (which spread to a few European and American casinos during the 1990s) and fan-tan. Other popular game choices include baccarat (in the French variant known as chemin de fer), pai gow, and two-up.