Underneath the glitz of flashing lights and free cocktails, casinos are founded on a bedrock of mathematics engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a high roller to enjoy the experience, with many of the world’s best casinos offering opulent suites, spas and fine dining alongside roulette wheels and blackjack tables.
From the opulent casino at the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, to the flamboyant gambling den at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, these are some of the best casinos in the world.
The storied resort of Baden-Baden, nestled in the German black forest, first became a playground for European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago. Today it’s still a draw for hardened dollar spinners and curious newbies, with its elegant poker rooms, red-and-gold gambling halls and plethora of table games. The casino boasts a state-of-the-art sports betting area with 60 plasma televisions, where you can flick a few coins on American football, boxing, martial arts and soccer.
Gambling isn’t always a sure thing: every casino game has a built-in advantage, known as the house edge. This advantage is calculated mathematically, and it ensures that the casino will make a profit on each bet placed by players. For that reason, it’s rare for a casino to lose money on a day. Even so, casinos are a business and must stay in the black to continue operating. For this reason they routinely offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, hotel rooms, transportation and other expenses.