Gambling has become an art form in these five temples of temptation, luxuriously decorated and packed with bars. Whether you’re feeling lucky or just want to watch the roulette ball move between the black and red reels, these five casinos are the most luxurious places on earth to throw your chips in and see what fate and luck bring you. Or you can visit an online casino.
5. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Casino is located in the middle of a shopping mall, so you can walk out of the casino and spend your winnings straight away. It’s not exactly the biggest in wealthy Singapore, but it’s undoubtedly the most sophisticated, with 600 gaming tables and 1,500 slot machines among the elegant furnishings and stylish décor. Tourists get in for free, but as locals have to pay US$100 for the privilege, don’t forget to bring your passport to prove you’re not a local.
4. Baden-Baden Casino, Baden-Baden, Germany
The elegant resort town of Baden-Baden, in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest, first became a playground for wealthy Europeans 150 years ago, attracting royalty and aristocrats from across the continent. Inspired by the Baroque splendour of the Palace of Versailles, German actress Marlene Dietrich declared it the most beautiful casino in the world. This elegance is also preserved in the casino’s red and gold decorated poker rooms and its many blackjack and roulette tables.
3. Casino Montecarlo, Montecarlo, Monaco
If Baden-Baden was the destination of choice for 19th-century aristocrats, the modern equivalent is Monte Carlo. Apart from the heat, you’ll have to wear something more elegant, but don’t worry, the air conditioning is perfectly tuned in the legendary casino. The Monte Carlo Casino oozes charm and class, and offers a wide range of games – there’s Chemin de Fer and Trente & Quarante, as well as poker, roulette and blackjack. High rollers and celebrities can escape to the casino’s beautifully appointed private salons, and once you’ve had your gambling fill, the beautiful city of Monaco with its restaurants and walking paths is at your feet.
2. The Venetian Macao, China
Although originally modelled on the Venetian complex in Las Vegas, this Macau resort transcends its inspiration and has become a global gambling mecca. With 530,000 square metres of 800 gaming tables and 3,400 slot machines, it is the largest casino on earth. And it’s not just about size: it’s grand on the outside but exquisitely opulent on the inside, with gaming rooms divided into four magnificent themed areas. The resort even has its own canal system, the San Luca, where guests can take a gondola ride through this imaginary Venice on the shores of the South China Sea.
1. Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA
Designed by legendary casino specialist Steve Wynn and costing US$88 million, the Bellagio is rightly one of the world’s most famous casinos, featuring in Hollywood films such as Ocean’s 11 and 21. In gaming, the Bellagio is best known for its top-class poker rooms, which regularly host World Poker Tour tournaments and offer the highest table limits. But there’s plenty of other gambling too, with 2,000 slot machines paying jackpots of up to US$2 million. Surrounding all this gambling is a luxurious resort with an eight-hectare lake, exclusive fashion boutiques and world-famous dancing fountains.
