A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an establishment where people can play a variety of card and table games for money. A casino is usually located near or combined with a hotel, restaurant, retail shops, cruise ship or other tourist attraction. Some casinos are owned and operated by governmental organizations, while others are privately owned. Some casinos are even a part of larger resorts and offer a wide range of activities, from a golf course to a spa.
There are more than 2,147 licensed casinos and 920 casino hotels in the United States alone, according to WorldCasinoDirectory. These luxurious temples of temptation are a must-visit for anyone who has ever wished to try their luck at the roulette wheel or the blackjack table.
The largest land-based casino in America is WinStar World Casino, located in Oklahoma, the home of Woody Guthrie, chicken fried steak and corn so tall it could be mistaken for an elephant’s eye. The massive facility boasts 380 tables, 6,300 slot machines and a cavernous bingo hall. If you get hungry, there are several restaurants, including Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, where you can tuck into down-home country fare. Afterwards, shop at one of the many boutiques for Brighton jewelry and purses or some fine-quality Bedre chocolates.
Europe is no slouch when it comes to grand casinos, either. The Casino Estoril in Portugal was once a hotspot for spies, dispossessed royalty and wartime adventurers, making it the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel, Casino Royale. More recently, it has attracted discerning high rollers looking for an elegant getaway.