A casino is a gambling establishment that offers the excitement and allure of games of chance. Its combination of architectural grandeur, world-class hospitality and dining options and diverse entertainment offerings enables it to draw in both high rollers and casual tourists alike. This article explores ten casinos that are at the top of their class, each offering an all-encompassing experience.

Casinos offer a wide variety of games to their customers, ranging from the most popular slot machines and table games to less familiar Far Eastern and traditional gambling pursuits like sic bo, fan-tan and pai gow. They also often provide free goods or services, known as comps, to their best players, which can include meals, hotel rooms and even airline tickets.

Many people associate casinos with luxurious entertainment, but the vast majority of their profits come from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, poker and other card games, roulette, craps and baccarat are the foundation for the billions in profit that casinos rake in each year. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers are part of the overall experience, the games themselves are what really keep patrons coming back.

Despite their popularity, these games have mathematically determined odds that ensure the house always has an advantage over the player. These advantages are often referred to as the house edge or expected value. Critics argue that casinos actually decrease the economic welfare of a community as they divert spending from local businesses and reduce productivity through gambling addiction.