From the glittering lights of the Las Vegas strip to Kathmandu?s garish gambling dens, there?s something about the whole casino experience that?s drawn millions down the ages. While the term originally meant a small villa, summerhouse or pavilion built for pleasure, usually on the grounds of a larger Italian villa or palazzo, during the 19th century, the word ?casino? came to include other more public buildings, where pleasurable activities, chiefly gambling, took place.

But there?s so much more to casinos than just gambling. Since the early 1960s, casinos have operated on the assumption that while blackjack or roulette might be their main revenue generators, it is important to offer other incentives as well to keep occasional gamblers coming back to the tables. After all, while hardcore gamblers don?t need the frills and fancies to attract them, the well-heeled amateur is someone who has the cash to play, wants the best and is likely to bring along family who should also be entertained. Thus floor shows, free drinks, all-you-can-eat buffets and plush accommodation are today part and parcel of the entire package.

So, whether your gambling tastes run towards London or Las Vegas, you?re sure to find a suitable one on our list of the world?s best casinos. Wherever you decide to go, may Lady Luck be on your side.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

It?s considered the ultimate gambling destination and with good reason for Las Vegas in Nevada, USA, home to 19 of world?s 20 largest hotels, is the city where 34 million visitors spend three billion pounds a year on gambling. Almost every hotel here comes with its own casino, though it is said that the only way to make money in one of these, is to own it.

As gambling holidays go, Las Vegas is your best bet yet. It?s big, loud, bright, cheesy and usually a blur to visitors after a few days. Nowhere else on the planet will you see replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and the pyramids of Giza all on one street. The biggest draws here include the luxurious Bellagio, Caesar?s Place (famous for its many heavy-weight boxing contests), Mirage with its distinctive Y shape, the MGM Grand (the largest hotel in the world) and The Venetian, though, giving them a run for their money are places like Treasure Island, Paris, Stratosphere, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Luxor, New York New York, Mandalay Bay and Aladdin.

Most of the big casinos have their own indoor shopping malls as in the case of The Venetian where you can splurge on anything from electronic goods to designer clothes. Besides the flashy casinos and king-size malls, Las Vegas has some great places to eat out and there?s plenty of other entertainment along the strip as well that won?t cost a dime. But if you need an escape from the bright lights and clinking of coins, one of the most popular excursions is a drive to Red Rock Canyon, an hour-and-a-half round trip.

Atlantic City, USA

If Las Vegas is the West coast?s jewel in the gambling crown, America?s Eastern shoreline is not without its gaming gem. Atlantic City in New Jersey is just a two-hour drive from New York and with its entire oceanfront lined with glitzy casino hotels, is known as the little Las Vegas of the East coast.

Most of the casinos here are quite spectacular, offering a heady mix of entertainment, fine dining and naturally, gambling. The Atlantic City Hilton with its 60,000-sq-ft casino and 1,800 slot machines is the biggest crowd-puller in these parts. This vision in Italian marble and beveled glass isn?t regarded as one of the classiest properties in the city for nothing ? it takes in the five-star Peregrines? restaurant, a salon and a spa. The other hotspots that gamblers can hit include Harrah?s, Sands, Trump Marina and Trump Taj Mahal.

Sun City, South Africa

While South Africa is really famed for its exotic landscape and wildlife, the country?s many casinos have also become a big hit with travellers. The most famous of these is the sprawling Sun City resort complex, built by Sol Kerzner. Situated 185km north-west of Johannesburg, it first opened in 1979 and since then, has undergone major expansion and renovation. Built on the legendary theme of the Lost City, the resort lies adjacent to the 1,36,000-acre Pilanesburg National Park where Africa?s ?Big Five? can be seen.

Sun City has a wide range of attractions to keep visitors on their toes all day. There?s an amphitheatre, forests, a lake with various watersports, a beach equipped with wave machines and waterslides, and of course, world-famous casinos. Non-stop gaming excitement awaits you here. The shuffle of the cards, the anticipatory arc of the roulette wheel, the merry jingle of thousands of slot machines and the breathless expectancy of the players characterise Sun City Resort.

This apart, the Grandwest Casino in Cape Town is another popular haunt. Boasting state-of-the-art facilities, this gambling den has 60 casino tables offering American roulette, blackjack, Raise ?em Poker and Punto Banco. The Wild Coast Sun casino is yet another unique experience. Set on one of the most unspoiled beaches in Southern Africa, the resort?s secluded ambience takes care of the families as well as those with an appetite for gambling.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

The people that live in Monaco come from somewhere else, drawn by the sun and sand, the glamorous lifestyle and most importantly, the freedom from taxes. This is the playground of Europe?s elite, a country where Lady Luck might clean you out at the casino one day and put you on the European elite list the next.

Monte Carlo offers some unique sights such as the National Museum of Dolls and Automatons of Yesteryear, the Royal Palace and the old fortified capital. Jewellery stores and belle ?poque hotels with Italian-style frescoes and pink marble columns overlook the Mediterranean, where huge private yachts are moored year-round.

Fortunes are won and lost through the night in the smoke-filled, exclusive backrooms of Monaco?s many casinos. But it is famed for its Monte Carlo Casino built by Charles Garnier in 1878, and a visit here costs US$10. The magnificent gaming halls? walls and ceilings are decorated with carvings and paintings and also feature a marble-paved atrium with 28 columns as well as lavish bronze and gold ornaments. Kings, princes, writers and industrialists have gambled here, which is why the treatment is five-star and so much more. While taking a break from the tables, do check out the several old-style cabaret shows, especially the Cabaret in the Casino Gardens.

Aruba, Caribbean

The island of Aruba boasts of several casinos ? some small and some overwhelmingly glamorous. In addition to blackjack, poker, craps, roulette and baccarat, not to mention hundreds of noisy slot machines, Aruba?s casinos also offer Caribbean Stud Poker, a game invented here in 1988 and very popular the world over. In Caribbean Stud Poker, as in blackjack, each player vies only with the dealer. Unlike blackjack, however, the game offers players the thrill of a progressive jackpot that can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Gaming in Aruba generally runs from mid-day to just before dawn, although the Crystal Casino at Aruba Sonesta Resort and Casino is open 24 hours a day. Reminiscent of the grand casinos of Monaco, the casino involves a truly international experience taking in elegant furnishings, ornate moldings, Italian marble and brass with bar stools, gold-leaf consoles and mirrors imported from Spain, carpets woven in England and of course, patrons from around the globe. Another popular pick is the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort and Casino, a 40-acre tropical retreat with mangroves, tropical birds and wildlife.

Among the other casinos on the island, Copacabana Casino, Casablanca Casino and Music Hall and Casino Masquerade are the most popular with both locals and tourists alike.

Moscow, Russia

Contrary to popular belief, the land of the KGB is not without its share of swanky casinos and gambling lairs. The fancy Astoria Casino not only features the usual gambling tables and slot machines but also doubles as a strip club and discotheque. New players get to use the free bar while regular ones are presented with a VIP or gold card. Open 24 hours, the casino is one of Moscow?s finest.

Equally impressive is the Olympia Casino where, along with money, you can win the newest cars. Close to Moskovskie Vorota (Moscow Gates), the Papanin Nightclub and Casino is another great place to invest your rubles in some fun and entertainment. More than a hundred games are on offer, the most popular being the slot machines and table games such as blackjack, poker, roulette and wheel of fortune.

South-east Asia

From Cambodia to Malaysia, from Singapore to Nepal ? almost every place in South-east Asia has top-of-the-line casinos that stand apart by virtue of what they have to offer. But the one that truly stands out as the best of the best is Genting ? City of Entertainment, nestled in the mountains of Malaysia. The casino resort is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South-east Asia and at 6,000 ft above sea level, it is also the highest casino in the world. Just an hour from the bustling capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Genting?s cool mountain climate entices visitors from all around the world. The resort has four different casino sections, each with a distinct theme. Families can make the most of the thrilling attractions at the Genting theme park, the largest of its kind in Asia.

Coming a close second is Kathmandu?s Soaltee Crowne Plaza, one of the oldest luxury hotels and casinos in the city. This leisure lodge has for years played host to visiting heads-of-state and large conferences. And with four excellent restaurants, beautiful gardens and of course, a huge casino, you can see why. The only drawback is that it is not located near any of the city?s tourist attractions or shopping areas.

Germany

It?s brassy, sparkles with lots of chrome and the staff is about as jaded as any you will find in a city that?s legendary for its jaded citizens. Berlin?s biggest casino, Spielbank Berlin, is a high-ceilinged, scarlet affair that reminds one of an airport. The basement is devoted to slot machines while the upper floors (known as Casino Royale) take in a battery of more sophisticated gambling devices including roulette and baccarat. There are no maximum bets ? the amount that you can bet on any one play depends on your credit rating with the casino.

Outside Berlin, the casinos that deserve a mention include Automaten Casino Bremen in Bremen with 130 slots; the Automaten-Spielbank Steindamm and the Automaten-Spielbank Wandsbek in Hamburg and Casino Hohensyburg in Dortmund.

London, UK

Since the legalisation of casino gambling in 1960, Great Britain has become one of the world?s major gambling centres. There are some 130 casinos operating throughout the country with 20 casinos in London alone; the rest are in 53 towns and cities mostly at popular seaside resorts and large industrial towns. All British casinos operate under the provision of the Gaming Act of 1968 with some revisions. According to British law, gambling is permitted as long as it meets an existing, unstimulated demand, but casinos should not encourage gambling. Therefore, all casinos operate as clubs with private membership. Gambling is restricted to club members, who must be at least 18 years of age.

The St. James Casino is one of the most prestigious gaming addresses in London. Its magnificent fa?ade and d?cor are complemented by the excellence of gaming, dining and service. With a full membership fee of ?1,000, the casino provides a number of games such as American roulette, blackjack, casino stud poker and Punto Banco. The St James Casino is as formal as it gets with a strict dress code and special features for visiting delegates.

in the chips

Suchitra Pillai
Actress

I haven’t been for too many casino holidays but my first experience was in Nepal. And it was quite awesome. I remember not playing too much as I have really bad luck and to be honest, am not too well aware of all the rules. However, I do plan to visit Las Vegas some day and have a go at Russian roulette just for the experience.

Jayabrato Chatterjee
A author

I visited Monte Carlo’s famous Casino Royale while touring Europe with my family and it was an experience to remember. We spent the entire night gambling and while I lost quite a bit, my daughter Shahana ended up winning. Of course, the whole casino experience there is so much than just gambling. People were decked out in their evening best and we were even told to dress accordingly. Of course, the place oozes wealth and nobody drives up in anything less than a Ferrari or a BMW — the Mercs are usually reserved for the servants.

Nafisa Ali
Politician / Activist

I’ve been to two casinos and both times about 20 years ago. The first one was in Perth, Australia, where I won $100. The next one that I visited was in Nigeria and there, my husband and friends played while I looked on. I do believe that going to a casino once in a while is a nice experience — just that one shouldn’t make a habit of it.

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