A casino is a place that features games of chance and gambling. While casinos may add elaborate scenery, music shows and other attractions to lure in customers, it is the games themselves that provide the billions in profits raked in by casinos each year. While many gamblers enjoy the thrill of throwing their chips in the air and seeing them return as jackpots, some find that they are addicted to gambling and need help.
The precise origins of gambling are unknown, but it is clear that humans have enjoyed games of chance throughout history. The modern casino offers much more than the games of chance found in medieval Europe, though, with hotels, restaurants, non-gambling game rooms and other luxuries. The modern casino also has a variety of security measures designed to keep players safe from fraudsters.
During the 1950s, mob money brought a new level of glamour to casinos. In order to draw in more visitors, owners began to offer free spectacular entertainment and other inducements to the highest-level bettors. Some mobster-owned casinos became massive, while others were sold to real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets. Federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gambling license at even the slightest hint of mob involvement mean that casinos no longer allow any hint of organized crime.
While many people travel the world in hopes of visiting a specific casino, some just want to try their luck at one of these decadent temples of self-indulgence. Check out Hopper’s list of the ten best casinos, and see how your luck holds up at these luxurious places to throw down your chips and take a shot at the big win!