A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and in some cases skill. Customers gamble by playing these games and in some cases pay a commission (called the rake) to the house. Most games have mathematically determined odds that guarantee the house an advantage, which is known as the house edge. Casinos also give out complimentary items to players, called comps. Casinos may also have restaurants, stage shows, and dramatic scenery to attract players.

Something about casinos—perhaps the presence of large amounts of money—encourages people to cheat and steal, whether in collusion or by themselves. Because of this, casinos spend a lot of time and effort on security. They use cameras throughout the facilities, and employees are trained to spot suspicious behavior.

Most states prohibit casino gambling, but since the 1980s some have legalized it on Indian reservations and in Atlantic City. In the 1990s, casinos also appeared on riverboats and in countries outside North America.

From the glitzy strip in Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York’s Chinatown, there are more than 100 million potential gamblers worldwide who can choose where to spend their hard-earned dollars. While some casinos are spartan, others feature elaborate decor and offer an array of amenities to lure in punters, including restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. Here are ten of the world’s most lavish temples of temptation: