A casino (plural casinos) is a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are a major source of income for many countries, and are visited by people from all over the world. They usually offer a variety of gambling games, such as poker, roulette, blackjack, and craps. Many of them also feature restaurants and bars, as well as entertainment options like shows.
Gambling, in all its forms, has been part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of dice was found in China around 2300 BC, and the first game that would become a staple of modern-day casinos–baccarat–appeared in the 1400s. Since then, a range of casino-like games have spread to different parts of the world.
The renowned gambling dens of Las Vegas have long been the stuff of legend, attracting hardened dollar spinners and curious newbies to its glitzy tables. But even Sin City has competition from casinos all over the globe.
Macao, East Asia’s version of Las Vegas, is home to one of the planet’s biggest gambling complexes. Its exterior is crowned by the largest LED dome in the world, comprised of more than a million lights. The interior lives up to this surface decadence, with 800 tables and 1000 slots spread across several large and lavishly decorated floors.
Other top casinos include the Kurhaus in Germany and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, which boasts a rooftop pool and what is known as a performance lake, complete with a choreographed fountain show set to music. In the US, meanwhile, casinos are enjoying renewed popularity thanks to the Supreme Court decision that overturned the 1992 federal ban on sports betting. That has opened the door for casinos to partner with sports teams and advertise on their jerseys and stadiums.