Casino
Looking back through history, gambling has always been a part of our social lives. Starting with Ancient Greeks and Romans and continuing with the ages of Napoleon’s France and Elizabethan England, games of chance were a regular event that enriched entertainment experiences of both wealthy people and the less fortunate. Games of chance were their favourite activities of leisure, relaxation, socialising and ultimately making a profit. Earlier on known as gambling houses, casinos became a sanctuary for people who are passionate about casino games of all sorts.

Casino History in a Nutshell
Even though the precise origins of gambling are unknown, it has always been present is some form or other. In Europe, the first casinos were referred to as ‘gambling houses’. The first one, according to historians, was the Ridotto in Venice, Italy. The establishment opened in 1683 and was meant to provide regulated gambling services during carnival season. Over a century later it was closed because the local government though it contributed to the impoverishment of the nobility.
In North America, early casino establishments were referred to as ‘saloons’. Just as seen in Wild West themed movies, saloons were places where locals and travellers who were merely passing by could go to and talk, drink, see lady performers and gamble. After a period when gambling was deemed illegal throughout the United States it was finally legalised in the state of Nevada where Las Vegas became the centre of the gambling industry. A few decades later casinos were allowed in New Jersey, with the America’s second largest gambling city being Atlantic City.

The Charms of Casino Gambling
Casinos are wonderfully designed entertainment establishments where visitors enjoy games of chance. Some of them have an element of skill, and the most popular include slot machines, roulette, baccarat, video poker, blackjack, and craps. The design of a casino plays a big part in the whole experience. Optimising the casino floor, setting up the atmosphere and choosing the decor are some of the most important issues casino owners have to deal with. These aspects need to be arranged in such a manner so as to encourage gambling, and they usually do. They showcase magnificence, a sense of wealth, elegance, class and give out the anything-can-happen vibe.
The games have mathematically determined odds, which secure the house edge – a small percentage of the profits that always go to the house, aka the casino. They need to earn their cash, right? However, land-based or brick and mortar casinos have lots of attractive aspects. They often offer complimentary items or comps to gamblers, memberships to prestigious clubs, accommodations at the world’s most fancy hotels and tickets to major events.

Most Famous Casinos in the World
Apart from already mentioned gambling centres in the US, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, which are both huge focal points of the industry, there are other locations around the world where people engage in gambling, have fun and make money. The Monte Carlo Casino complex in Monaco owns several major gambling facilities where visitors (not citizens of Monte Carlo) can take pleasure in roulette, Stud Poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, video poker and slot machines.
Another popular destination for gambling is a special administrative region of China called Macau, which was a former Portuguese colony. The Venetian Macao is currently the largest casino in the world. The 10,500,000-square-foot establishment has 3,400 slot machines and 800 gambling tables and hosts numerous entertainment and sports events. Other worldwide known casino sites include the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Portugal’s Casino Estoril near Lisbon and the Resort World Manila, in the Philippines.