Casinos have always had a certain caché. The epitome of glitz and glamour where only the best-dressed people could enter. Their architecture is famous worldwide, adorned with chandeliers, stucco frontage, and opulent interiors. The earliest casino open to the public was the Ridotto in Venice. While officially anyone could enter, the dress code ensured it was accessible to only the wealthiest Venetians. Nowadays, the dress code has been relaxed in many venues. A black tie is not required, although many might draw the line at flip-flops.
The Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco
Top of the list has to be The Monte Carlo Casino. The Principality is famous for luxury, and its residents are notoriously wealthy. The casino is built in the Belle Epoque style, which echoes the Parisian buildings of the time. Its neo-baroque features give it a beautiful, lavish appearance. The casino has marble flooring and pillars; arched windows are a prominent feature. The complex also has a stunning golden opera house called the Salle Garnier to dazzle visitors. The whole place is adorned with paintings and sculptures by famous artists.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
While the Monte Carlo Casino takes visitors back to the 1860s, Marina Bay Sands faces firmly futureward. Designed by Moshie Safdie, a pack of cards inspired it. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful casinos in the world and costs $8 billion to build. Its three-towered structure has become a landmark of Singapore's skyline. It is not only stunning on the outside. Inside it has 500 gaming tables. Guests can stay at one of the 2,500 luxury suites and rooms with staggering views over the waterfront.
Casino at The Bellagio, Las Vegas
With its curved façade and lit-up fountains, the Bellagio Casino must be one of the world's most iconic hotels and casinos. It has an 8-acre lake separating it from The Strip. Inside it is all elegance and charm. The casino was featured in the blockbuster film "Ocean's Eleven" starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Brad Pitt. That cast could bring luxury to any film set, and The Bellagio made the perfect location. The casino is a must-see venue for anyone visiting Sin City, even if only from the other side of the lake.
The Venetian, Macau
Venice might have been the birthplace of the casino, but the Ridotto was shut down by a moralizing church in 1774. However, the legacy of Venice lives on in Macau. The Venetian is the largest casino in the world, and it is Asia's largest single structure, covering a total area of 980,000 square meters. While it could be branded as a pastiche with its reconstructed Venetian landmarks, the sheer luxury of the place cannot be underestimated. Remarkably, the land it is built on was originally a swamp, and no sign of the original terrain remains; instead, there is the finest hotel boasting 3,000 suites and rooms.
Sun City Resort, South Africa
This multi-domed opulent resort rises from the surrounding forest. To the front of the structure are magnificent light-up fountains to guide guests inside. The outside is pretty impressive, too, with multiple swimming pools and a waterpark. Sun City says it is the only surf and safari destination within a two-hour drive of landlocked Johannesburg. If that isn't the height of luxury, what is?
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