From the swanky casinos in Las Vegas and Macao to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York’s Chinatown, gambling is a pastime that has fascinated civilizations throughout history. Depending on the type of casino and the gambling laws, it can be as simple as spinning the reels on a slot machine or as elaborate as a floor show with top entertainers. Some casinos have gone so far as to offer perks like private planes, a full concierge service and gourmet restaurants.

The biggest casino in Europe is the Casino Estoril, which is located in the Portuguese Riviera. It was a gathering place for spies, dispossessed royals and wartime adventurers during the second world war and was subsequently used as inspiration by Ian Fleming in his James Bond novel “Casino Royale.”

In America, some casinos are so massive that they are essentially cities, complete with high-rise hotels, shopping centers, entertainment venues and more. For the well-heeled amateur, such luxuries aren’t necessarily necessary to attract them. What matters more is the sheer size of a casino and its ability to impress.

The most impressive casinos are massive behemoths that rival small towns in terms of their glitz and glamour. For instance, WinStar World Casino in Oklahoma is the largest casino in the world and has a total gaming area of over 600,000 square feet. It boasts a staggering number of slot machines, 115 dining options and 17 bars, and hosts top performers in its Roman Colosseum and Global Event Center. In Asia, Galaxy Macau in Macao is a veritable wonderland that blends some of the most luxurious hotel brands in the world, including Ritz Carlton and Andaz, with hundreds of tables and slots.