Casino de Monte-Carlo.

World's Top Casinos & Best Hotel Casino Resorts

Africa Asia Australia | Oceania
Caribbean Central America Europe
Middle East North America South America

"A dollar won is twice as sweet as a dollar earned." - Paul Newman.

"The best bet you get is an even break." - Franklin Pierce Adams.

"Good luck needs no explanation." - Shirley Temple Black.

A CASINO is a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are known for hosting live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events.

The precise origin of gambling is unknown. The Chinese recorded the first official account of the practice in 2300 B.C., but it is generally believed that activity of gambling, in some way or another, has been seen in almost every society in history. From the Ancient Greeks and Romans to Napoleon's France and Elizabethan England, much of history is filled with stories of entertainment based on the games of chance.

One of the first known casinos was the Casinò di Venezia, established in Venice Italy around 1638 and is still in operation.

In American history, early casinos were originally known as saloons. The creation and importance of saloons was greatly influenced by four major cities; New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago and San Francisco. It was in the saloons that travelers could find people to talk to, drink with, and often gamble with. During the early 20th century in America, gambling became outlawed and banned by state legislation and social reformers of the time. However, in 1931, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada, and Las Vegas, spawning America's first legalized casinos. In 1978, New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City, now America's second largest gambling city.

In most jurisdictions worldwide, gambling is limited to persons over the age of license (18 or 21 years of age in most of the United States and 16 to 21 in most other countries where casinos are permitted).