A casino is a public place where a wide variety of games of chance can be played. It can also include restaurants and free drinks, and is often a lavish affair. Some of the world’s most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, such as the Bellagio. Others are located in glamorous places like Monaco, Lisbon, and Baden-Baden.
Gambling almost certainly predates written history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found at many archaeological sites. But the concept of a casino as a place to find all kinds of gambling under one roof didn’t take off until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. Aristocrats gathered in private parties called ridotti to play a variety of games, even though gambling was technically illegal.
Casinos are designed to keep patrons in their seats as long as possible by offering free food and drinks, stage shows, and other luxuries. In addition, they use chips instead of real money to make the players less concerned about losing money. This makes them less likely to leave the game, and it reduces the house edge.
As disposable income increases worldwide, the travel industry grows, and gambling becomes more mainstream, casinos are adapting to serve a global audience. Below, BizVibe lists the top 10 largest casinos in the world ranked by casino and property size by square footage. Click on the names to see more about each casino. By 2025, the global casino market is expected to reach USD 126.3 billion.